The Art of Tipping
A Gracious Gesture & A Social Norm or Not?
Tipping is a social practice deeply ingrained in many cultures, reflecting gratitude for services rendered
While tipping is a gracious gesture and a social norm in various service industries, its appropriateness can depend on cultural norms, local customs, and the type of service provided.
Beyond the exchange of money, tipping is an intricate dance of gratitude, acknowledgment, and social etiquette. However, in today’s society, have we blurred the lines when it comes to tipping? Is the expectation to tip for all services (drive thru, quick interactions, etc)? If you do not tip regardless of the type of service are you frowned upon?
Although this is an opinionated blog article, one must say that tipping is a trending topic and we all want to adhere to the do’s and don’ts of tipping.
The History
Tipping, in its essence, is a gesture of appreciation for services rendered. Its origins can be traced back to the aristocratic societies of 17th-century England, where a “to insure promptitude” box, abbreviated as T.I.P. was placed in coffeehouses to encourage quicker service. Over time, this practice evolved, becoming a customary way for patrons to express gratitude to those who provided exceptional service.
From Europe to Asia, tipping has woven itself into the fabric of various cultures, assuming different forms and norms depending on geographic location, socio-economic factors, and historical influences.
One of the fundamental aspects of the art of tipping is its variability across cultures. In the United States, our tipping gestures are deeply ingrained in the service industry, with patrons expecting to leave a gratuity ranging from 15% to 20% in restaurants. In contrast, some European countries, like France, incorporate a service charge into the bill, reducing the reliance on direct tips. The Japanese culture, renowned for its hospitality, views tipping as impolite, emphasizing impeccable service as part of the overall experience.
The nuances of tipping also extend to the type of service provided. In restaurants, for instance, tipping is often based on a percentage of the total bill. However, this percentage may vary depending on factors such as the quality of service, the type of establishment, and regional customs.
In other service industries, such as transportation and hospitality, tipping conventions differ. Taxis may see passengers rounding up the fare or adding a percentage, while hotel staff may receive tips for services like housekeeping, concierge and luggage assistance.
Tipping is a tangible way for patrons to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the staff who contribute to their experience. Again, here in the United States, tipping is deeply ingrained. Failure to leave a tip can be perceived as a sign of disrespect or dissatisfaction.
Obligation or Not?
While tipping is generally associated with positive reinforcement for exceptional service, it also raises questions or make you want to give a side-eye about societal norms and expectations. Should tipping be obligatory, or is it a discretionary act? Does tipping perpetuate inequality, placing tipping ownership on patrons rather than addressing systemic issues of fair compensation for service workers? But that is a discussion another day……
The art of tipping
should be a discretionary act and it goes beyond the face-to-face interactions. Technology has reshaped traditional service models. There are ride-sharing and food delivery apps where tipping has migrated from a predominantly cash-based system to a digital one. This shift raises new questions about transparency, as digital platforms may provide suggested tip amounts or integrate tipping into the transaction process with or without the great customer service that should come alone with that tip.
That is why I ask the question, is tipping considered an obligation or not?
It shouldn’t be an obligation for anyone. Tipping should be given because the service task that has been done for you , has gone over and beyond. For me, that is truly tipping.
In instances where services are adequately compensated or tipping is not part of the local custom, it may be less important or even unnecessary to tip.
So it is ok in my opinion to skip out on drive thru tipping, to-go food service tipping etc. Yes, tipping has gone too far when you are asked for a tip and the person asking just merely packed items in a bag at the restaurant counter and quickly moved on to the other customer in the line with no thank you, smile, or a great gesture to show that the tip was deserved through the awesome customer services received. To take it a little further, once you get your to-go order, it is subpar and you dare not say anything about it. Yep, that has been my experience on many occasions.
All the service person is doing is merely packing items in a bag at the restaurant counter and quickly moving on to the other customer in the line.
Don’t get me wrong, yes if the person went way out of their way to help me order and made sure my order was exceptional, then yes, tip. However, I shouldn’t be bullied into it. A suggested tip amount should not be on the screen when I get ready to pay especially if what you are doing does not require a tip nor does it hurt your pay rate per hour.
I do believe that tipping is an important social practice in service-oriented industries where it serves as a tangible expression of appreciation for good service and it is crucial in professions where service workers depend on tips to supplement their income.
However, in scenarios where services are adequately compensated or tipping is not part of the local custom, it may be less important or even unnecessary to tip. Ultimately, the decision to tip should be guided by an understanding of the specific context and a genuine desire to acknowledge and reward exceptional service.
