Los Angeles, California – It seems that more and more people are growing weary of the tipping culture prevalent in the service industry. According to a recent survey by WalletHub, nearly three-quarters of individuals believe that tipping has spiraled out of control, with over half suspecting that businesses are substituting employee salaries with customer gratuities.
Furthermore, the study revealed that a striking 78% of respondents feel that automatic service charges should be prohibited, and half of those surveyed admitted to leaving tips primarily due to societal pressure. Cortney Norris, an Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Oklahoma State University, warned that if this sentiment of “tip burnout” escalates, it could have detrimental consequences for those reliant on tips as their main source of income.
In a separate study conducted by USA TODAY Blueprint, findings indicated that tipping culture might be reaching a tipping point. With 63% of respondents expressing frustration over the ubiquity of tipping requests, and nearly half admitting to growing tired of being constantly asked to tip, it is evident that a shift in perspectives is underway.
Moreover, the survey documented a divide among participants, with 52% reporting increased tipping behavior and 10% divulging a propensity for tipping less. Muzzo Uysal, a Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Isenberg School of Management – University of Massachusetts, Amherst, underscored the need for businesses to raise wages to diminish the reliance on tips as the primary source of income for restaurant and bar staff.
In related news, California is on the brink of implementing a new law that raises the minimum wage for fast-food establishments with over 60 national locations. This move aims to address the disparity in pay between tipped and non-tipped employees, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch. States that have eliminated the subminimum wage for tipped workers have witnessed higher earnings, reduced workplace harassment, and decreased rates of poverty among service industry employees.