Tipping in America is a hot topic as the majority of Americans feel divided and confused over when to leave gratuities and how much to tip for different services. According to a new study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of people believe that tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago. The dilemma is compounded by the addition of “service charges” to customers’ tabs, as well as suggested tip amounts on touch-screens and printed bills.
The study revealed that with more opportunities to tip, there is still a great deal of confusion about when it is appropriate to do so and how much to leave. Only 34 percent of U.S. adults say it is “extremely” or “very” easy to know whether to tip for different kinds of services, and a similar share, 33 percent, expressed confusion in knowing how much to tip.
Education and income levels also seem to play a factor in this confusion, as individuals with higher incomes and more education are more likely to express uncertainty about when it’s appropriate to tip and how much.
The study also indicates that tipping is a divisive issue, with Americans conflicting over what tipping actually is. While some see it as an obligation, others view it as a choice. There is also a growing trend of businesses implementing new technologies to prompt the extraction of tips, adding to the confusion.
Overall, the study paints a complex picture of the current state of tipping in America, indicating that more communication and clarity are needed to address the confusion surrounding tipping practices. Way to go to conduct this study. Lots of services these day require gratuity. It will be beneficial to sort out the confusion Americans are facing with this.