Not sure about how much to tip? You're not alone as America's tipping culture grows
Americans are being asked to tip around 20% in situations they wouldn't have in the past.
Americans are being asked to tip around 20% in situations they wouldn't have in the past.
Americans are being asked to tip around 20% in situations they wouldn't have in the past.
A new survey conducted by Bankrate found more than 1 in 3 Americans believe the tipping culture in the United States has gotten out of hand.
"I think the inflation people are facing has made them confront this...you know, what was a 15% tip on a $30 bill is now a 20% tip on a $50 bill," said Richard McGrath, an economics professor at Georgia Southern University.
McGrath doesn't feel that is the primary issue, however.
"I think the way the technology is being used to push us to tip more is what's irritating people," he said.
McGrath said some touch screens practically force people to pay more, especially when there are three options for tip.
"So there is psychological research that says if you give people a choice of three numbers and they're uncertain about what they should do, they're probably going to pick the middle one," McGrath said. "So if you manipulate it and keep increasing the middle one and keep marching the scale up, you're going to be able to get people, out of uncertainty, to pay more."
"For me, it feels like we don't have a choice," said Sherita Redd-McKinley, a woman visiting Savannah, Georgia, from Atlanta.
When it comes to wait staff, most people are happy to pay a little extra, especially seeing as many servers are only paid a few bucks an hour by their employer.
"I started out with $2.25 an hour. So tips are much, much relied upon," said Shaun Artis, a Waffle House worker. "I like to see people happy, you know? I like to, when you sit at my table, it's clean. When you get your food it's quick and delicious. Unfortunately though, some days, you don't make enough."
More and more often, however, Americans are being asked to tip around 20% in situations they wouldn't have in the past, like when getting fast food or takeout.
"There's a lot more confusion than there was on who survives on tips and for whom tips are a little something extra," McGrath said.
If you're ever unsure about how much to tip or when to tip, McGrath said to consider how much time someone has spent on you as a customer.
"If they're spending an hour on me, then I know a substantial portion of their pay has to come from me," he said.
McGrath said you should also take into account how many customers they are likely serving.
