Tipping is an interesting concept, about which the world is divided. For instance, Americans leave a tip for numerous services including being served a meal. Meanwhile, Europeans don’t leave a tip for their servers because gratuity is “built-in” to the price. Here are 11 things that Americans are overtipping or shouldn’t be tipping, for at all.
1. ”Overkill” on Tipping Culture
Tipping culture has changed significantly over the years. What began as a way to give someone a little extra for doing a great job, has become a way for many employers to pay their workers less, passing extra cost on to the customers. Most Americans leave a few dollars for takeout meals but tipping for a meal that you have to go pick up has been deemed “overkill.”
2. No Tipping for Fast Food
It’s customary in the U.S. to tip for food service. However, people debate whether or not they should be tipping fast food workers. According to Retirely, the answer is no. “There’s no added effort here that screams “bonus time!” The page explains.
3. Tipping for Hair Services
Tipping for a haircut, dye, or styling, is acceptable. After all, your hairdresser likely put in a lot of time caring for your hair throughout the process. Meanwhile, it’s not necessary for a barber who’s simply doing a quick buzz cut because they’ve only spent a few minutes providing you a service, and you’re already paying their fee for a quick and seemingly effortless cut.
4. Tipping Hotel Staff
It’s customary to tip some hotel staff, like the valet caring for your vehicle or the bellboy carefully bringing your luggage to your room. However, some staff members, like those who come to show you features in your room, don’t need extra gratuity because they spent very little time, or extra effort to show you how the lights or remote controls work.
5. Tipping Your Barista
Typically, Americans tip their baristas and bartenders because they took the time to craft a delicious and most often aesthetically pleasing drink. However, tipping everyone is not necessary. For example, if you’ve already added the gratuity to your bill or left a few dollars in cash, there’s no need to give extra to the person handing you your drink.
6. Pre-Packaged Snacks
Coffee shops and cafes often offer snacks, breakfast staples, and other on the go items. Unless they’re reheating, or making something, very little effort goes into getting customers their pre-packaged snacks. As such, tipping isn’t necessary if there isn’t much effort required to fulfill your order.
7. The Gas Station Attendant
In the past, most gas stations were full service meaning the attendant would take your payment, pump your gas, and in some cases, wash your windows. However, few, if any, states still offer this kind of service. Therefore, tipping the gas station attendant isn’t as common as it once was because customers don’t get the same services. Rather, they have to pay and pump for themselves.
8. Tipping at the Bakery
For custom cakes and other goodies, tipping is highly recommended when the baker or creator has produced a work of art, or a custom order. Meanwhile, the people handing you the box of goodies don’t necessarily.
9. Ice Cream Shops
Unless the person serving your ice cream also made it by hand, made the cones from scratch, and fulfilled a large order in a timely manner, extra gratuity isn’t necessary. After all, they’ve likely only given you a scoop or 2 and aside from keeping the place clean, it’s most likely their only task.
10. People on Salary
According to tipping etiquette expert, Thomas Farley, there are several times when it’s okay not to tip, and that tipping is out of hand, calling it “tipflation.”
“People are really feeling imposed upon,” Farley explains to CNBC. “We’re already living through inflationary times. Everything is crazy expensive. And on top of that, you’re being asked, every time you turn around, ‘How much would you like to tip?’ It feels pushy, it feels needy and almost every customer I speak with says, ‘Why aren’t businesses just paying people more?’”
He notes that tipping isn’t necessary when the person you’re dealing with is on a salary or is performing a trade. Some examples include lawyers, doctors, or plumbers.
11. Open Bar Events
Additionally, Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette expert and founder of the Swann School of Protocol, sat down with CNBC to weigh in. She explains that while tipping your bartender is customary, it’s not necessary when you’re at a private open-bar event such as a wedding or holiday party. “Keep in mind that the host of that event has likely already taken care of the tip. That tip would be included in what they’ve had to pay for the venue or to the bartending service,” she said.
“If there is a busy bar, and there are multiple people to take orders from, the fact that you acknowledged them may get you a heavier pour. Maybe they gave you the cup of ice you were asking for,” he says. “A dollar here or there isn’t much to ask.”
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