Lifestyle

Tipping Etiquette Not Entirely Dependent on Income Study Finds

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According to a recent survey compiled by CreditCards.com in conjunction with researchers from Princeton University, those that are most likely to be the best restaurant tippers are male, Republican, and from the northeastern U.S. The credit card information website surveyed approximately 1,000 American adults across the country. It found that those paying via debit or credit card were also more likely to tip in the area of 20% when eating out.

Etiquette Experts Debate Tipping After Survey Reveals Money Isn’t Always the Factor

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The study also indicated that an average tip of 15 to 16 percent could be expected from southern, female Democrats that were paying in cash. When the question is posed as to why some individuals tip better than others, Matt Schulz, senior analyst for the company identified to the Detroit Free Press that, “Generally it all comes down to income. The more money you have the more likely you are to leave a little extra tip on the table.”

Etiquette Experts Debate Tipping After Survey Reveals Money Isn’t Always the Factor

Photo: Maxpixel

The experts in etiquette at Legacy Texas Financial Group recommend that diners tip between 15 and 20 percent of their pre-tax bill when having a plated meal. They also provide great guidelines for hotels, trips, beauty businesses, as well as tipping at weddings. Approximately half of those surveyed by CreditCards.com fell into the range of 16 to 20 percent, but what also was identified was that one in every five customers doesn’t leave a tip at all. That’s 25 percent of consumers that don’t leave a gratuity for the services. Said Schulz, “I was definitely surprised by how many people tip over 15%, but I was also surprised by how many people never tip at all at a restaurant.”

Etiquette Experts Debate Tipping After Survey Reveals Money Isn’t Always the Factor

Photo: Public Domain Pictures

Many take jobs in the service industry due to the cultural norm of tipping, and the ability to increase your income based on stellar service skills, this struck the analyzers of this data as odd. In many states, food service industry workers earn approximately $2.13 per hour with the rest of their income coming from tips, and many employees may have to split their tips with additional restaurant staff! Texas, unfortunately, does not have a federal minimum wage component for food service staff, which means that those in the industry rely on their mannerisms and service skills to enhance their pay via tips. In fact, there are only 9 states in America that actually do make use of the minimum wage standard.

Etiquette Experts Debate Tipping After Survey Reveals Money Isn’t Always the Factor

Photo: Pixabay

Although it’s mandatory that employers pay their tipped workers minimum wage after tipping, the food service industry was flagged as owing its employees roughly $40 million in back pay. Such payroll violations impacted women and those of color disproportionately within the service industry. Many customers have argued that restaurants should be paying their workers a reasonable wage as opposed to tipping being a pay calculation component. In response to this, some restaurants banned tipping completely. What are your thoughts on the tipping debate? What’s reasonable and fair to provide for good service? And if you’re reading this from the perspective of a food service industry worker, what are your comments? We’d like to hear from you.

References:

Detroit Free Press

Legacy Texas Financial Group

Consumer Racial Discrimination in Tipping: A Replication and Extension, Cornell University