Tipping is out of control and is an outdated practice that continues to grow in The United States. It’s no longer reserved for expensive restaurants. We are now asked to tip at to places like fast food, coffee shops, and gas stations. So why don’t businesses pay their people a livable wage so that customers don’t subsidize their pay? Let’s take a look at the issue in more detail.
Tipping Culture in America
At its core, tipping serves as an incentive for good service. Unfortunately, it has become more of an obligation than a reward in the United States. This means customers are expected to leave something extra even if they didn’t receive exemplary service. Furthermore, this expectation has extended beyond just restaurants and now includes establishments like fast food chains, coffee shops, and gas stations. It puts consumers in an awkward position. Do you leave something extra or risk being seen as rude or ungrateful?
In the United States, tipping has become a societal norm that feels out of control. Tipping feels mandatory; if you don’t partake in tipping, you’re probably blasted on social media for your refusal. Antics like these have made tipping feel more like an obligation than an incentive for exceptional service. The tipping culture in America needs to be abolished.
The Dilemma of Low Wages
The real problem here is not about tipping per se; it’s about low wages. So it’s no surprise tipping has become an out-of-control epidemic in the United States. Businesses have sadly turned tipping into a means of cutting costs. Yet tipping should not be expected from consumers.
If you work for a company, it’s their responsibility to pay you fairly and adequately for services rendered. So why has tipping become the only way for service workers to get paid? It’s really out of control at this point, and something needs to change. First, consumers must stop accepting that tipping is necessary everywhere they go. Otherwise, businesses will continue using tipping as a means to underpay employees. It’s frustrating that employers expect tipping instead of paying fair wages.
Low wages are also problematic from the employer’s perspective because they create high turnover rates, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, employers who pay low wages often miss out on top talent because employees with higher skill sets tend to look for better-paying jobs elsewhere.
The Solution to Ending Tipping in The United States
The solution here is simple: businesses should pay their employees a livable wage instead of relying on tips as supplemental income. This would ensure that all workers can make ends meet without relying on the generosity of customers who may or may not have extra money to give out in tips. In addition, this will also help eliminate any feelings of obligation when it comes to tipping since workers will already be making enough money from their salaries alone.
Tipping will not be out of control if employers pay their people a livable wage in the first place. Instead of relying on customers to supplement employee incomes, businesses should focus on paying competitive wages that will attract higher-quality workers while ensuring customer satisfaction through exceptional service. Without relying on tips as an incentive or obligation. That would be far more effective than expecting customers to pick up the slack through tipping practices that are both outdated and unfair.
