Is tipping for everything out of control?

I recently went to a cooking school in France ran by a couple. We stayed at their bed and breakfast, took daily classes, and they (we) cooked our meals. People in my group wanted to tip them and I said no. We did tip the housekeeper.
Are people tipping to make themselves look good or for good services? I also don’t over tip because I feel bad for people because there are people who are worse off. Give it to your favorite charities.

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Interesting perspective from the other side of the counter.

That’s behind a paywall for me. Can you summarize it?

Excerpts:

" The expansion of point-of-sale technology that prompts customers to tip at coffee shops, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants has caused no shortage of angst for consumers who wonder what, or whether, to tip when they purchase chewing gum or a latte. The baristas and checkout staff on the other side of the tip screen say the interactions are no less awkward for them, even if the tip prompts put extra money in their pockets…

Brandon Hall, 26, a barista in New York, said that tips are now part of the conversation when he interviews for a cafe job—hiring managers tell him the tip average in addition to how much he is going to make an hour.

Hall said he has learned not to expect a tip on every order, especially if it is just coffee and a pastry. For made-to-order items such as a matcha latte, he admits to feeling offended when the tip is skipped because making those drinks takes skill…

In May, Jovanni Bautista, 19, started as a barista at Asbury Park Roastery in New Jersey—his first job with tips. When customers are prompted to leave a tip, he said he makes a point of looking away or avoiding eye contact.

“If I’m looking at them while they’re paying, I just feel like it’s pressuring them,” Bautista said."

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This is exactly what I’ve been saying all along, I think most at the register aren’t glaring, aren’t judging, are also put into an awkward position due to these credit card readers. Let’s all just pretend the tip option isn’t there unless you would’ve chose to put cash in a jar for the service.

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I went with a group to Corner Bakery this morning, and a couple of us noticed there was no request for a tip at checkout.

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I agree with this, although we always tip at weddings trying to get faster service (so yes, a bribe). I’ve been temped to tip the servers walking around with the good apps, but instead I just keep my eyes out.

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Yes, I’m tired of being asked to tip every time I’m trying to buy anything, especially when you order from the counter and they do very little in the way of any service—pizza places, smoothie places, etc. Very irksome!

I’m fine with custom tips and NO tips. I’m just tired of tip screens and sometimes just pay cash to avoid the issue.

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“Why aren’t businesses just paying people more?’”

They are!! Wages have been increasing since 2010. That’s why all this extra tipping is bordering on obnoxious.

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It bothers me when the suggested tip includes tipping on sales tax. Sales tax in LA County is almost 10% by itself.

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Did you see the video yesterday of the Door Dash driver complaining about a 25% tip?

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I feel like Mr. Pink’s point of view needs to be recognized. Obviously, this content isn’t exactly PC, and the language is colorful.

It’s getting out of hand.

I disagree with the “expert” in that video who says “tip as much as you can” (so, if you have a high income should you tip 50%? Where does it stop? Shouldn’t there be some kind of tipping convention?).

She also talks about Doordash not paying enough - that $5 might not have been generous enough, depending on how far the doordasher had to drive. But the customer shouldn’t have to know this, and it shouldn’t be up them to make up the pay gap. That’s my biggest issue with how the services industry works in our country.

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My friend’s wife usually works as a bartender on Sundays at a local, very popular little place. She averages $900 in tips each day. Her record was $1650 on a Super Bowl Sunday. I think some people would be shocked by what many tipped workers take home.

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And did she pay taxes on those tips?

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I’m not their accountant, but I believe she’s only required to report a percentage, not a total. Either way, the answer is likely not.

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It is usually always the case that bartenders make more in tips than regular servers.

I waitressed throughout college. When I was cocktail waitressing, which was much more lucrative than regular waitressing, we always had to give the bartender a portion of our tips. I don’t know if things still work that way.

It’s not at all surprising to hear what your wife’s friend earns in tips. Even back in the 80’s, I could make $300 (80’s money) on a good Saturday night just from my cocktail waitressing tips.

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This is why I’ve never used a delivery service.

Easier to go pick up.

Even then it’s uncomfortable - I usually do 10% - but this way it’s my gas, my car wear - the whole concept is just uncomfortable.

Another issue is when all the tips are pooled and spread out amongst all workers----including management! If you’re on salary you shouldn’t be taking tip money away from hourly workers, who in some cases get below minimum wage because it is expected they will collect tips.