But in recent years, there's definitely been more mumbling and grumbling when we're presented with that dreaded tip screen. Now it seems no matter where you go, someone is asking for a tip. Heck, even the gas station cashier expects a little extra change in the dishes conventionally placed by the register.
According to a new survey, Americans are tired of forking out extra money on nearly every transaction, and a majority believe the entire practice has gotten "out of control."
From Eat This, Not That:
Personal finance company WalletHub just released the results of a new survey where it had consumers weigh in on a range of questions regarding tipping. The poll found that nearly three in four Americans believe that tipping "has gotten out of control," a statistic that only underscores a growing sentiment among consumers lately.
Though less common overseas, tipping has long been a ubiquitous part of the American dining experience. Many diners have made a habit of tipping servers 15% to 20% on their bills—as recommended by etiquette experts—when they enjoy a sit-down meal at a restaurant. However, the rise of technology in the restaurant industry has given eateries more opportunities to ask for tips, even in circumstances where customers feel tipping isn't warranted.
For example, some restaurants have customers pay for their food at the counter through electronic screens that automatically prompt them to tip, even when those stores don't offer sit-down service. Some fast-food chains, including Starbucks and Subway, also automatically give customers the option to tip when they're placing app orders. Additionally, these types of tipping prompts have become more commonplace in non-restaurant businesses and services like ride-share apps and grocery store self-checkout kiosks.
Many consumers aren't on board with the rise of tipping prompts at restaurants and elsewhere. The new WalletHub survey found that nearly three in five Americans believe businesses are trying to avoid paying employees better salaries by supplementing their total earnings with tips from customers. California is actively trying to address the low base wages restaurant workers earn with a new law that went into effect today, raising the minimum wage for most fast-food workers to $20 per hour.
