Just the tip 💸💸

Has anyone else noticed that tipping culture has absolutely skyrocketed out of control? The actual definition of a tip or gratuity is a small amount of money given to someone who has provided service or an amount of money given as a reward for service. It was previously acknowledged as a monetary bonus of sorts, common to industries such as restaurant/bar, hotel, salon or transportation industries as an addition to paying for services received. The practice of tipping 15% or more to your server at a restaurant or tipping your cab driver was the norm.

💲💲 And the Customer Becomes the Employer

Fast-forward to 2025, everyone thinks they get a tip for just doing the bare essentials of their job description. The job that they were hired to do at an agreed upon wage. Pick up a pizza or Chinese for take-out - there's either a tip question during checkout or in the online ordering process. You handed me my food, I dont understand why I'm tipping? You made my coffee and yelled my name across a crowded room. What part of that is a service demanding gratuity? The only outlier I agree with having added tips is anything delivery and/or convenience. Instacart, doordash, the big W grocery delivery and so on. They are providing you a service of convenience and deserve to be tipped generously, depending on service received of course. The restaurant industry is notorious for not paying a livable wage and having workers rely on tips for income. Sometimes to the tune of as little as $2/hour.

🍲 Most of Us Have Worked Service

I am an extremely generous tipper, since serving my time as a waitress for a few years. It's a lot of work. Dealing with people is rough. I tip on service received. I'm not going to hold it against my server that my meal was hot garbage but if they avoided my table at all costs, empty cups, no napkins and I have to ask for silverware- down a percentage we go. Again, tipping is an award for service.

Anywho, what are your thoughts on American tipping culture in 2025? Are we tipping everyone with a tip jar or are we still selective? Lets talk about it!

As always - stay feral but tip generously. 🧡