The VinePair Podcast: Is the Dining Public Over Tips?

There’s been a lot of talk about tipping culture recently. On the campaign trail, President Trump promised he would abolish taxes on tips. At the beginning of March, John Oliver dedicated a segment of his late-night show, “Last Week Tonight,” to the current state of tipping in the U.S. And recent surveys suggest that the majority of Americans feel that tipping culture is out of control, with the expectation to leave a gratuity spreading to more places than ever.

There is some validity to this shifting mindset. After all, should you be expected to leave a 20 percent tip for the clerk at a liquor store who just rang you out? Regardless of where one stands on the matter, the truth is that some service industry workers are paid less than minimum wage when the promise of tips is factored in. But what are they to do when that “promise” is becoming less of a sure thing?

Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent tipping backlash and why “tip creep” is hurting individuals who actually rely on gratuities to make ends meet. Plus, a conversation on why adding service fees and various other charges to checks is the wrong way to signal that employees are being taken care of. Tune in for more.

Joanna is reading: Thinking Differently: Neuorodivergent Bartenders Thrive Behind the Stick
Zach is reading: How Monster Managed to Vaporize Half of CANarchy’s Value in Just Three Years
Adam is reading: For Non-Alcoholic Drinks Brands, Bitter Is Best