Has tipping gotten out of hand, and what is the proper etiquette now?
Key Arguments
Tip More Selectively
- Pro: Rewards attentive service
- Pro: Preserves gratuity meaning
- Pro: Avoids unnecessary payments
- Con: Can feel inconsistent
- Con: May irritate workers
- Con: Requires judgment calls
Follow Standard Percentages
- Pro: Simple to apply
- Pro: Matches expectations
- Pro: Supports service workers
- Con: Can be expensive
- Con: Not always justified
- Con: Extends tipping culture
Reduce Tipping Expectations
- Pro: Cuts hidden costs
- Pro: Pressures wage reform
- Pro: Simplifies transactions
- Con: Lowers worker income
- Con: Breaks local norms
- Con: Hurts good service
Tip Only When Prompted
- Pro: Easy to follow
- Pro: Fits card payments
- Pro: Avoids awkward refusals
- Con: Prompts can overreach
- Con: Encourages pressure
- Con: Lacks consistency
Treat Tipping as Optional
- Pro: Clear principle
- Pro: Prevents tip fatigue
- Pro: Flexible by context
- Con: Ambiguous boundaries
- Con: Can reduce income
- Con: Less predictable etiquette