Americans are FED UP with tipping! readers reveal the most absurd places they've had to tip - and why they're fighting back against the tradition

 Americans are putting their foot down over out-of-control tipping 'etiquette', as hard-up workers are finally fed up with paying extra for everyday items. 

Despite tipping having a long history in the nation, rampant inflation and the expectation to tip for as little as a cup of coffee being poured, have left people questioning whether it's time for unspoken tipping codes to change. 

DailyMail.com took to the streets to find out what people really think about the practice - with one major bugbear being iPads at the checkout prompting them to tip as much as 30% leaving them feeling forced to fork over extra cash. 

But DailyMail.com readers say they have had enough, going as far as to completely avoid places that hound their customers for tips. 


Despite the long tradition of tipping across the US, the recent rise of service iPads has sparked fury among those who feel the custom has gotten out of hand

Despite the long tradition of tipping across the US, the recent rise of service iPads has sparked fury among those who feel the custom has gotten out of hand


Tipping was originally intended to be complimentary, seen by many as an added bonus for good service and a pleasant experience. 

But one of the most offensive aspects of modern tipping is the expectation that customers now should pay extra 'no matter what the service is.' 

In response, one commenter said: 'I'm not sure why I'm supposed to tip a bartender who reaches for a bottle of beer and takes the top off, 5 seconds involved.' 

'I do not mind tipping a server who waits on me for an hour. I do mind tipping someone for handing me a drink. Will grocery store checkout lines start demanding tips too now?' questioned another. 

And while tipping has long been a custom in the US, the noticeable price rise in recent years led one commenter to brand the tradition 'ridiculous'. 

'They are always demanding tips for everything,' they continued. 


'It used to be that tips were optional and 10% but only if the service was good. European countries do not demand tips in this militant sort of way like they do here.

'It's been abused and misused for much too long and we need to put an end to it. NO MORE TIPS.' 

The newfound prevalence of tipping iPads in major US cities is one of the main points of contention, with the system implicitly designed to pressure people into adding extra tips even if they don't want to. 

Numerous readers agreed the tech is inappropriate, with one person noting: 'You get to the counter to pay, and the tip button is right there with the staff staring at you. Awkward.'

'I've really cut back on going to places where they have those tip screens,' said another disgruntled reader. 

It seems many are consistently turned off by the tech, as a further reader noted: 'I would always tip, until they shoved the screen in my face demanding a tip.'

DailyMail.com readers have had their say over modern tipping culture, branding the tradition 'ridiculous'

DailyMail.com readers have had their say over modern tipping culture, branding the tradition 'ridiculous'


Many people also objected to how tipping has now become a subsidy for low-paid workers.

One reader slammed tipping as just 'another tax', while another agreed that it is 'getting out of hand.' 

Another said they only tip 'based on the level of service', adding: 'That is what a tip is supposed to be not an addition to a wage but a reward for good/great service.' 

'Tipping regardless of the level, or lack, of service is the adult equivalent of participation trophies in little league. And we've seen how well THAT worked out.'

And while some have said they now go as far as avoiding meals out or hitting the town, others have seen the funny side of the strangest situations they were expected to pay extra for. 

'The worst tipping situation I've seen was at a Chinese buffet,' said one commenter. 

'There was a tip jar at the sushi station, a tip jar at the station where they had grilled meat and an expectation that customers would also tip their waitress who did nothing but bring your drinks to your table. 

'Everything else was, of course, self-serve.'

Another person said they were once expected to tip for room service in a hotel, adding: 'Not only is the food expensive, but there's all the service charges then a tip.

'When arriving late and you just need something even tea or coffee and a snack is really expensive but we still have to tip.' 

'I'm a pilot, and no one ever offered me a tip,' joked another reader. 

In 66 countries it is the norm to leave a 10 percent tip, while Americans are expected to routinely leave tips of over 20 percent

In 66 countries it is the norm to leave a 10 percent tip, while Americans are expected to routinely leave tips of over 20 percent


Debates over tipping etiquette erupted this month after new 'guidelines' were published by New York magazine The Cut

Intended to be a new code-of-honor, the suggestions sparked fury after they advised people to routinely tip 20 percent no matter what to avoid being considered 'rude'.

And while one of the proposals was to add an extra 10 percent even for going out to grab your own takeaway, readers hit out at the absurd new 'rule'. 

'The mag article is the biggest culprit here trying to brainwash young people who read them, into paying (even cash they don't have) using manipulation guilt & peer pressure,' said one reader. 

'I tip according to the service.'

Another agreed, adding: 'No tip on a carry out order, never has been, this is super inappropriate for these establishments to request so.'   

'I never tip if I am going in and picking up the food. Sorry not sorry. 

'I tip 20% for waiters, hairdresser, pizza delivery. But never for them to hand food cross the counter.'

In the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, tips tend to be around five to 10 per cent, according to maps released by HawaiinIslands.com.

But in The Cut's opinion, those that oppose tipping for everyday items is 'miserly', while those with disposable income should be splashing far more than 25 percent in restaurants and bars. 

For coffee shops, coffee carts, cafes and bodegas, customers should tip at least 20 per cent due to the 'tense environment' and 'complicated orders', the magazine says.

But while it argued that Uber drivers should also be getting 20 percent as they make less in tips than regular taxi drivers, some lashed out at the expensive demands.

Kirsten Fleming agreed with many of our readers, as she wrote in the New York Post: 'They’re wildly out of touch with real New Yorkers who are struggling to pay soaring rents and inflated food bills.

'The list should have been whittled down to a few useful ideas.'

Americans are FED UP with tipping! readers reveal the most absurd places they've had to tip - and why they're fighting back against the tradition Americans are FED UP with tipping! readers reveal the most absurd places they've had to tip - and why they're fighting back against the tradition Reviewed by Your Destination on February 18, 2023 Rating: 5

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