Don’t Forget to Tip.
Almost every establishment you do business with (except for clothiers, big box retail, utility companies, gas stations, and others) offers the option for tipping. You can tip at restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, salons/barbers, auto shops, spas/parlors, and through delivery apps. Years ago, 10–15% seemed like a reasonable amount to tip for services offered. Recently, people have argued and debated that 15%-18% (or even 20%) should be the norm. In essence, these numbers HAVE become the norm. Seen more prominently in restaurants, service charges are now included in your bill, before you even decide how much to tip. I will opine on quotes from a few articles regarding the matter, and on tipping culture as a whole.
Customer service and hospitality jobs can be challenging work. Working in a restaurant or coffee shop requires speedy and efficient service, with a friendly demeanor to boot all in one package. Unfortunately, some customers reciprocate the opposite behaviors. The right person on the wrong day (or wrong person on the right day) can spaz out, cause distress, and quit the job altogether. Many server jobs pay at or below the minimum wage level; workers rely on tips from customers to make a decent living. Per data from DC.gov, effective July 1, 2023, the standard minimum wage is $17.00/hour, and $8.00/hour for tipped employees. In California, all employees make the minimum wage with no discrepancy (per dol.gov). I am of the camp that you should tip something at the very least. Where things go awry is when the company itself tacks on service fees or include gratuities at fixed amounts. Each venue has its own rules and procedures; often we duck, dodge and hesitate before tipping.
Per Chris Kennedy (from the Washington Post, March 16, 2023 — Article Here):
Before the pandemic, to “auto-grat” — preemptively adding a 15 to 20 percent tip to a customer’s bill — was controversial and generally reserved for large groups, usually at the discretion of the server. Three years later, service charges — now ranging from 18 to 24 percent — have become the norm and, though some have heralded this as a step toward a post-tip utopia, the reality is that tips are still encouraged at most establishments and charges have multiplied as supply chain issues and general inflation have further increased costs.
The pandemic left many without work, forcing restaurants to adapt to a delivery/pickup-only model. Three years later, as mentioned by Chris, a variety of factors influence the pricing and service charges at a restaurant. I would advise that you research the dining menu prior to going, and factor in service charges and tip amounts. Even if it’s only 10%, work within your means and budget. If you go out with the family and spend $100, with a 20% service charge, that likely equals to over $130 (factor in tax). Then, 10% tip is $13, 15% is $19.50, and 18% is $23.40. Look at how quickly the math adds up.
Maggie Hennessy (from Bon Appetit) wrote an article in March 2023 titled Yes, You Should Still Tip 20% on Top of a Restaurant’s Service Charge. The article details the outcry from diners in some cities who have encountered different types of fees. Restaurants are adapting by folding the fees into the menu prices or being upfront with the intentions.
For restaurants, it’s a matter of finding a fee structure that works for them and their employees, then sticking to it Naran says (Avish Naran, owner of a sports bar in Los Angeles). And even if you find some of these fees confusing, or grumble at having to pay more on top of an already expensive evening out, Naran says it’s a simple equation: “However a restaurant decides to structure its pay, you as the diner should trust what they’re doing. It’s insane to think you can go into dinner and walk away understanding the intricacies of running a business.”
Most of us do not understand what goes into running a business: the cost to lease/own a brick-and-mortar location, maintaining the goods and supplies needed to operate, and paying the staff. I’m not suggesting the consumer be offloaded all those factors into their final bill as that would be unfair. It becomes a delicate balance that should be maintained between consumer and client regarding goods and services.
When presented with the option to tip, you either will or won’t. Whatever the choice, do not be a racist, bigot, or asshole while doing so. I ran across an article from 2017 about an incident that occurred at a DC restaurant:
Staffers at a D.C. restaurant are outraged after a couple of customers allegedly left without tipping their waitress and instead left a racist note on the bill.
“Great service don’t tip black people.”
That’s the note server Kelly Carter said she received at Anita’s New Mexico Style Cafe in Ashburn Saturday morning. According to Carter, the message was written at the bottom of the bill by a 20-something white man and woman whom she served breakfast to.
The restaurant owner Tommy Tellez, Sr. told our sister ABC station, WJLA, “I’m appalled. This is so disheartening.”
Racist tendencies are wired into some people from a very young age. The diners were only in their 20s exhibiting such crass behavior. Servers are people too and make an honest living without the need for such hatred. This incident was more of a quiet happening opposite arguing and fighting that’s often seen on TikTok and social media. Regardless, I would advise that if you see or experience an attack on a server (or customer), make sure to notify management and don’t sit on the sidelines recording with your phone. You make an honest living of your own, and to wind down, that restaurant (cafe, salon, etc.) serves as a break from reality. It’s an opportunity to share a meal or moment with loved ones and friends. Your server becomes part of that experience. Show your appreciation for the front-line workers within reasonable means.
As for the ultimate debate on how much to tip? For me, it varies, and I ultimately decide my rate based on the type of establishment. I DO regret not being able to tip the delivery drivers. I order online often, and Amazon, UPS, or FedEx will deliver. I live in an apartment instead of a house, so leaving a cash tip would be difficult. I appreciate the delivery drivers who brave the elements (particularly in as hot of a summer as its ever been) and the physical toll of carrying packages to its final destination. Recently, unionized workers for UPS have gone on strike due to pay and intolerable conditions with some of their fleet vehicles. In August, a deal was reached between both sides. I’m glad because one of the utmost priorities for any company is its workforce. Fighting for decent pay, working conditions, or tipping from consumers helps to close the gap (just a little) between low-income and high income workers.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional financial advisor and this article is opinion-based. Always do your due diligence and seek a professional for guidance.
Looking for an audio format of this article? I have my own podcast — “No Strings Podcast with Rell Simon”. It’s available on all podcast platforms.
