It seems that a “tip culture” is a common thing in many countries – but what about in America? According to a recent report from GodzillaNewz, many Americans turn down the opportunity to tip, despite being prodded to do so.
Tipping has been a part of the American culture since the end of the 19th century, when wealthy Elders would leave spare coins at the end of each dinner for the waitstaff. While this practice was originally seen as an act of generosity, it eventually transformed into an expectation of the customers.
Today, tipping is still a major part of the American dining experience. Servers are often expected to receive 15 to 20 percent of the total bill as a reward for their services. However, despite this expectation, it seems that many Americans are still choosing not to tip – in particular, the younger generation and those with lower incomes.
For some, this may be due to a lack of education about the importance of tipping in the culture or simply an unwillingness to part with their money. In fact, some survey respondents said that they don’t feel comfortable with the expectation of tipping, or that they do not see the direct correlation between their money and better service.
Whatever the cause, it is clear that many Americans simply are not tipping as much as they used to. While culture – much like tipping – often evolves over time, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if it is eventually replaced by a renewed respect for tipping in the U.S.