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Tipping Fatigue Is Real… and It’s Almost Everywhere
The pressure to tip is growing, even when the service barely feels personal.
In recent years, tipping in the United States has changed a lot. It used to be a simple way to reward great service. Now it annoys and confuses many Americans.
Last week I took my racquetball racket to be restrung. After I swiped my card, I noticed a tip added without me seeing it. It was my fault for missing it, but it made me write this piece. I paid the worker $90 to restring a few rackets, and a tip was added for routine work.
The rising push to add tips in many places has led to what some call “tipping fatigue.”
This piece looks at why this change happened, how it affects buyers, and the places where tips don’t belong.
Tell us if you agree with these points, and if we missed any.
The Evolution of Tipping: From Gratitude to Obligation
Tipping has been part of American culture for a long time. It started in the late 19th century to pay service workers for their work.
In the past, people tipped waitstaff, bartenders, and hotel staff-jobs where tips added to low pay. The habit grew strong in service jobs, and 15–20%…
