There is an evolution in the working world, or at least the consumer is perceiving it. Tipping (February 2023) is seemingly on the rise. And even in environs where it is traditionally anticipated, it is possible that the ask is becoming more profound. From a perspective discussion, I have worked for tips in my day, bussing, serving, and delivering. I know the challenges well.
Some pontificate that 15% is normal for good service in a restaurant, and 20% is for service that is above average. But it is seemingly normal now to be handed a check with a "suggested" tip amount that ranges from 18% to 25% (I have seen some that are higher). Kiosks for payment seem to make higher suggestions still.
U.S. News recently reported the same range of 15%-20%, but cautioned this should be calculated on the full bill, "not any discounted rate you might receive." That is intriguing as I regularly patronize a local restaurant. Their practice is to print 15%, 18%, and 20% amounts on the check. But, after several instances, I realized their math is always wrong. A little work with my calculator revealed this restaurant calculates those amounts on the pre-tax check amount, leading to tip suggestions that are lower than my habit of using the gross check total. That is curious.
U.S. News suggests the same range for rideshare drivers or cabs, and for hair and nail professionals. I recently had a haircut and the provider's website was intriguing for several reasons. First, I was herded repeatedly toward pre-payment for the service. I eventually found a way to make an appointment without paying, but the web designer made that very challenging. Their default and desire are that I pay first. They also stress that appointments may not be canceled.
In addition to wanting pre-payment, and confiscating it if canceled, the website sought pre-payment of the tip. The point of a tip is to reward industry and good service. I had never been asked to tip for services as yet not rendered (though I recall the big pizza industry sites all ask that now as well). The tip range requested on this hair appointment was 30%, 40%, and 50% of a $25.00 haircut ($7.50, $10.00, and $12.50). That seems like a great deal more than normal. Pre-paying seems a bit "extra." The whole experience was frankly a turn-off. I vowed to find a more traditional barber shop.
I did not pre-tip or pre-pay. I got a "good" haircut (you cannot make me look nice, but you can do your best with what I have). But, coincidentally, the entirety of my visit was punctuated by the hair professional's conversation with a coworker over the subject of tips. It was impossible to avoid and difficult to ignore. No, I did not leave a 50% tip. Cheapskate?
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When did we start tipping people in advance? The Conversation reports that customers do not like being asked about tipping before they are served. And, in a revelation that was perhaps utterly unpredictable (sarcasm), their survey concluded that "participants viewed pre-service tip requests as unfair and manipulative." Could not have seen that coming. I have stopped tipping at self-service encounters even when they are polite with the "it will ask you a question, then you insert your card."
More important for the business and employees, those tip tools "reduced the likelihood that (consumers) would become repeat customers." Yes, we are perhaps less likely to return to places that make us feel uncomfortable, unappreciated, and unwelcome. Who could have seen that coming? Aren't we lucky to have blog posts like this so that we know we are not alone in our angst and discomfort?
Business Insider recently reported that customers are becoming fed-up with tipping. There are "self-checkout" machines throughout our daily lives, and those machines are more frequently and persistently begging for money. Machines lack dignity and they lack shame. They simply ask. You can get a computer to do just about anything. While it panhandles for you, you don't have to look people in the eye. Perhaps that detachment is what enables the big ask? Mahatma Ghandi is credited with "if you don't ask, you don't get." I never knew he was a computer programmer.
Consumers are noticing that these tip campaigns are purportedly to support employees with whom they have no interaction or experience. The entire transaction is self-service and with a computer touch screen, and yet there is some expectation that we will provide some extra income for some unnamed, unseen, and unknown store employees somewhere. Are we to be guilted into supporting this phantom?
What is amazing is that the Insider story quotes work of the Wall Street Journal indicating some of you are actually tipping the computers. Though customers express confusion as to "who I was tipping," they still tip anyway. Without any clue as to the service received, or the value added, they pull drinks from "self-service" kiosks and pay a computer, but they add 20% for the great service. And I cannot somehow shake P.T. Barnum from my thoughts.
Dr. John Bridges is credited with the old saw (1587) "a foole and his money is soone parted." Comedian Steven Wright is credited with asking much later "How did a fool and his money get together in the first place." Each seems a fair inquiry. I am thinking of setting up self-service kiosks around town with the simple plea "Won't you please give 30% today to help?" Who knows, if you will pay 20% for getting yourself a beer or water, who is to say you won't give more for even less. Perhaps we are just hard-wired to want to help? (Yes, perhaps it is fair to ask "Help who?").
The results of the Journal survey are surprising. That people are tipping out of guilt, shame, or ignorance is intriguing. One in New Jersey characterized the current trend as a "bit of emotional blackmail." It is not Sally Struthers or Sara MacLachlan, but perhaps it is not so far off? "Won't you please help pay our staff by adding 30% to the $6.00 bottle of water you just picked out of our cooler?" An amazing element of the story is that no one seems to quibble with the $6.00 bottle of water. Are you kidding me? Well, as Gandhi says . . . .. But tipping someone unseen $1.80 on your $6.00 water because a computer asks you to?
The tipping trend is here. Landlords are reportedly asking for tips, as are electronic store workers. As yet, the professions are not (that I know of). U.S. News reports the following are service providers that are not "ty[ically tipped":
- Accountants.
- Financial advisors.
- Lawyers.
- Medical professionals.
- Mechanics.
- Home repair workers.
- Teachers.
Where does this all leave me? Well, it is not at the doorstep of a 50% sight-unseen-service tip. I might drop a tip of that magnitude, but it will not be in advance of the service (and I will be really impressed; call me cheap if you wish). After my last Tipping (February 2023), I heard some joking about judges, doctors, and lawyers with tip jars. It was preposterous and funny. But, one might validly ask where this current trend is heading. We may very soon long for more stores where employees (or computers, robots, etc.) wear nametags that include "no tipping, please."
Will the trends continue? Will any employers eschew the tipping and pay a living wage instead? Will we be guilted into paying or will the workers be cheated of their due? It is complex and unfortunate from various perspectives.
