ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

Is Digital Tipping Convenient for Everyone? Viral Video Sparks Fresh Debate on Tipping Culture

In the video, the creator showed how Gelato Fiasco in Old Port, Maine uses a digital device to request gratuities.
PUBLISHED JUN 1, 2024
Cover Image Source: Creator sparks new debate on tipping culture | @light_travels | TikTok
Cover Image Source: Creator sparks new debate on tipping culture | @light_travels | TikTok

The owner of Light Travels (@light_travels), Wade Light recently uploaded a TikTok video that quickly gained popularity and stirred conversation. Wade showed in the video how Gelato Fiasco in Old Port, Maine uses a digital device to request gratuities. You can see in the video how Wade easily places his card inside the machine for a $1 tip. The whole process seems much simpler and easier to do. The machine appears to be kept on and the customer can decide whether to pay the tip. Many viewers think it's almost like a compulsion to pay a tip as the machine is just staring at you and again that the tipping culture has gone too far. 

Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok
Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok

Wade shared his excitement about the video’s success, "I'm excited to share that my video on digital tipping has gone viral. It has sparked a lively discussion about how tipping practices are evolving. Thanks to everyone who watched and shared their views." But not everyone was as excited as Wade for this practice. One commenter said, "What irritates me and makes me question why do people tip for people to do their job? Are they doing something exceptional for a tip or are they just doing their job?"

Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok
Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok

"Pay someone to do a job that they are already paid to do in the first case," said another user. 

Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok
Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok

But some viewers expressed how excited they were to see it in stores!

Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok
Image Source: @light_travels | TikTok

Many people find digital tipping and tech prompts confusing, with payment machines, mobile apps, and QR codes adding to the mix. Some see it as a natural progression for convenience, but the pressure to know what to do is real. The video’s popularity shows how tipping, technology, and consumer habits are changing. With new tech, many of us are unsure how to respond.

Tipping in the US is becoming increasingly common, even at unexpected places like grocery stores, which has frustrated customers. A TikTok user named Ev mirrored these feelings when he blasted the widespread tipping culture as a ruse to get more money from customers. In an interview, Ev described how she and her boyfriend were asked to add a 25% gratuity to a $40 grocery bill at Austin, Texas's upscale supermarket, Tiny Grocer. The level of tipping expectations—which many customers feel unreasonable—was brought to light in this situation.

Many Americans share Ev's displeasure; according to a Bankrate survey, 66% of respondents think tipping is bad and 30% believe the practice has gotten too extreme. In an attempt to help vital workers, the "tipflation" trend began during the pandemic and has since continued, provoking criticism as clients are now regularly asked to tip for services where tipping was not customary.

Recently a TikTok creator Andrew shared his rules to manage tipping anxiety amid rising expectations. He refuses to tip for poor service, doesn't tip on ToGo orders, and only tips for aspects the service provider can control. Andrew customizes tips to lower percentages if default options are high and tips only after service completion for deliveries. He limits tipping to sit-down restaurants, casinos, and bars, excluding other establishments. Reactions were mixed, with some noting practical issues like delivery delays without pre-tipping while others agreed with his selective approach.

Follow @light_travels on TikTok for more such videos and content.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The sharks did not expect the product to taste as good as it did, considering what it was made from.
4 hours ago
The designer was also commissioned by top brands and worked for the royal family.
5 hours ago
The host had a look of bewilderment on his face which was absolutely hilarious.
6 hours ago
Things did not seem to be going well for the entrepreneur due to her high energy.
9 hours ago
The guest might have had high expectations, but they were quickly brought down to earth.
10 hours ago
The contestant was unable to contain her excitement and hugged the model.
1 day ago
Two of the players got it right, and while the player who lost didn't mind, fans were not satisfied.
1 day ago
Lisa celebrated her birthday in style with a perfect two-card guess to win the big prize.
1 day ago
Rick Harrison did what he could to console the guest who said that he had lost faith in NASCAR.
1 day ago
Both the guest and the expert were fascinated by how well the automaton worked.
2 days ago
One of the entrepreneurs broke down in tears, explaining all the struggles they had to go through.
2 days ago
She couldn’t believe it when her doll was appraised at a five-figure sum, and laughed in disbelief.
2 days ago
Ken Jennings truly has embraced "Jeopardy!" in every way possible at this point.
2 days ago
The comedian was impressed by the simplicity of the product and amused by the pitch.
3 days ago
Harrison usually makes smart deals on the show, but this vintage car buy turned into a costly mistake.
3 days ago
Had she started the game in a better way, she might have won the five-figure prize money.
3 days ago
Barbara Corcoran made the exact same offer, and she wasn't happy about being rejected.
4 days ago
The guest believed that it was worth a modest amount of money, but that was clearly not the case.
4 days ago
With James Holzhauer in the lead, Amy Schneider and Andrew He decided to joke around.
4 days ago
Barbara Corcoran told the founders that she had never seen Greiner so passionate.
4 days ago