The DailyDyl

Do you tip when you go out to restaurants how about at a coffee shop or when you get food delivered?

I’ve observed that tipping has emerged as a contentious issue in recent times. Tipping is deeply ingrained in American culture, especially in the service industry. Many wait staff workers receive a minimal hourly wage, with some relying on tips to make up the difference, as their base wage can be as low as $2.13 per hour, which is the federal minimum tipped wage. Given these circumstances, tipping your servers is crucial.

It’s unbelievable to me that an employer can legally pay an employee that low a wage. In contrast to some other countries where tipping is not a customary practice, employers provide their employees with a living wage. While I acknowledge that in recent years, many have faced financial challenges, such as job loss and the constant rise in prices due to inflation, I believe it’s a compelling reason to consider a significant shift in American culture. Servers, who already earn very modest wages, are likely facing even more significant struggles..

Consumers are increasingly encountering tip prompts when paying with a card, which can create an awkward situation, potentially pressuring them into tipping even when they hadn’t initially intended to do so. While the idea of employees receiving a living wage is desirable, practical implementation is often complex. Many small businesses find it challenging to achieve this without raising their prices, potentially risking the loss of customers. Additionally, some consumers may not see a compelling reason to tip in the first place and choose to pay only the initial fee.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to solve the problems revolving around tipping. In the meantime, I do think we should tip workers such as baristas, food delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, servers, and hairdressers. For many of these workers, tipping is a crucial source of income, often serving as their primary means of livelihood or one of the multiple jobs they must juggle to support themselves and their families.

Ok but why should I tip my…

Barista: They are crafting your drink especially for you. Baristas play a significant role in your coffee experience. Tipping your barista is a way to acknowledge and reward their skill, precision, and effort in making your coffee to your liking. So even a small tip would be appreciated by them.

Food Delivery Drivers: Only a portion of the price you pay for the food goes to the driver themself. Tipping the driver will help pay for their gas and other expenses they might have.

Ride Share Drivers: The driver lets you in their car and takes you to your desired location. Tipping them is a way to show gratitude for a safe and pleasant ride. It can also be a reward for a driver who provides excellent service, drives responsibly, and is courteous. Ride share drivers also only get a portion of the fare price and the rest goes to the company. Ride share drivers in areas with less demand might not be able to make as much. So tips can help pay for the gas as well.

Servers: While you get to sit down and enjoy your meal they are running around to multiple tables making sure all are happy. They take your order, bring you food, and refill drinks. It’s a way to acknowledge their hard work, attentiveness, and professionalism. Even if the service is slow you should at least tip something, slowness is not always the fault of the server,

Hairdressers: They make your hair look amazing! Your hairdresser provides a service that directly affects your personal appearance and spend a significant amount of time working on your hair, which can be physically demanding. Tipping acknowledges their time and effort in making you look and feel your best. So if you want them to continue making your hair look nice in the future it might be best to tip them.