Tipping culture in the USA

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I think what has tipped the scales (pun intended) is that every eating and drinking establishment--from Starbucks/coffee shops to self-service / order-at-the-counter eateries--has implemented tipping as a routine part of the paying process. Even drive throughs. It's absurd. And the resentment has spilled over into the rest of the restaurant industry.

While the oft-quoted excuse that a non-tip based / salaried EU-like system would result in higher costs being transferred on to the US consumer, I think that's a load of BS... non-US dining (whether it's casual or fine) isn't any more expensive...somehow every other country is able to manage a system where the salaries of food service employees aren't transferred onto the consumer.

--AND...while this thread is about tipping, I think an inherent part of the discussion is about food quality, and the quality of the MAJORITY of food in the US food industry is ABSOLUTE SHITE. It's all Sysco, US Foods, PFG...they all literally serve the same mass-produced crap, from the feedlot beef to the massive pesticide/herbicide treated vegetables, and that is almost everything in the US food industry save some smaller restaurants and fine dining.

People in the US don't care about quality, they care about quantity and 'bang for buck.' Take a look at the quality of food in our public school system...it is literal gas station food (US GAS STATION that is...I've eaten at nicer gas stations in France than almost every chain restaurant in the US.).

I live in Iowa. The number one pizza in the state is Caseys. It's a gas station. Because every small town has one, and no one wants to cook, and it's cheaper than dirt. [not a coincidence that Iowa has the fastest growing cancer rate in the US]

The standards for food quality in this county are abysmal.
 
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I tip guys that deliver furniture or appliances to my house. Generally $10-$15 to each guy (haven't had a woman deliver furniture/appliances yet). Years ago, when I was in between full-time employment, I delivered washers/dryers, stoves, refrigerators for a couple of months. Worked my butt off. Really appreciated getting a small tip at the end of the delivery.
 
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The standards for food quality in this county are abysmal.
Wow, that's a big call!
Maybe some of your fellow US forum members can recommend some good eateries to restore your faith. It'll also give me some idea of where to eat out when I finally make it over there 馃槉
PS- I loooove a good American barbecue (ribs, brisket etc)
 
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General food standards for mass consumption...there's good food if you have standards or the patience to cook.
The American diet is high is refined fats and highly processed carbs...it's great to have some fantastic brisket or a delicious smash burger or some other hedonistic indulgence but as an occasional treat not as a weekly option.
Anyway, I live in the Midwest, which is a restaurant wasteland unless you're in a major city center.
 
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I think what has tipped the scales (pun intended) is that every eating and drinking establishment--from Starbucks/coffee shops to self-service / order-at-the-counter eateries--has implemented tipping as a routine part of the paying process. Even drive throughs. It's absurd. And the resentment has spilled over into the rest of the restaurant industry.

While the oft-quoted excuse that a non-tip based / salaried EU-like system would result in higher costs being transferred on to the US consumer, I think that's a load of BS... non-US dining (whether it's casual or fine) isn't any more expensive...somehow every other country is able to manage a system where the salaries of food service employees aren't transferred onto the consumer.

--AND...while this thread is about tipping, I think an inherent part of the discussion is about food quality, and the quality of the MAJORITY of food in the US food industry is ABSOLUTE SHITE. It's all Sysco, US Foods, PFG...they all literally serve the same mass-produced crap, from the feedlot beef to the massive pesticide/herbicide treated vegetables, and that is almost everything in the US food industry save some smaller restaurants and fine dining.

People in the US don't care about quality, they care about quantity and 'bang for buck.' Take a look at the quality of food in our public school system...it is literal gas station food (US GAS STATION that is...I've eaten at nicer gas stations in France than almost every chain restaurant in the US.).

I live in Iowa. The number one pizza in the state is Caseys. It's a gas station. Because every small town has one, and no one wants to cook, and it's cheaper than dirt. [not a coincidence that Iowa has the fastest growing cancer rate in the US]

The standards for food quality in this county are abysmal.
Holy shite! I鈥檓 from Iowa. My two sons who never lived in Iowa moved to Iowa. My oldesthas a farm house and has farm animals coming out his ears. The younger moved to Iowa year ago, he is probably a pizza fanatic. I know he doesn鈥檛 eat Casey鈥檚 crappola though.
They are both probably bad tippers though to be on subject. I balance it out though. 33% is my usual minimum
 
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How is it possible that someone can be paid below minimum wage? Isn't that illegal? Here in Australia there have been cases of restaurant owners and convenience store owners who have been prosecuted for "wage theft".
Reg tips , I think 20 is min and I do about 25 . Now I do read my bill and make sure it's correct . Also no sure charges are included. I don't live in NYC now and in N.C tax is cheaper . I think we need to consider what it cost to live now .
Now delivery is a mess it's door dash , Uber eats and they tip garbage . It's about volume now and you don't even know who brings your food and order online . To add Iive in woods a but so I'm happy to get a delivery and yes I'm throwing them min 10 or more on top of what the app does . My son orders what on rare times we do and he is a miser cheap guy. Yet at one time he did delivery and said he did well 200 to 300 for 4 to 5 hours at night . Now where he delivered not where we live . He did city folk lol they tipped and he could do many deliveries.
We had conversation on tipping , I don't need anyone doing stuff to my food lol
Ps hello Steve hope all is well
 
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We are having a new spa/hot tub being delivered today. These are very heavy and bulky lumps to move. That means wrestling the old one on to its side with jacks and airbags, onto a dolly and wheeled out to the street, then putting the new one in, replacing the power outlet, filling it, putting the chemicals in and balancing it. It's probably going to be a five hour job for these two guys on a very hot and humid Texas day. We are certainly going to tip them even though the sales price is for 'total installation'. It's just the way I do business, tip for jobs well done.
 
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Yea Evitzee!

We believe in tipping our tradesmen who do a good job for us.

I navigate the tipping culture in the USA in this way. I don't "guilt tip" anyone, any amount, for service I deem unworthy of a tip. If they get their panties in a wad they should take it up with me. It'll verbally go hard with them if I disagree with them though.

You got one thing right Evitzee. It's stiflingly humid out there right now. I'm on a project to clean out and organize the shop and the task is whipping me down. Nobody's gonna tip me. Oh, Mrs noelekal will offer me a tip. "Save your money."