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 "Pawn Stars" were aleft impressed by the only basketball signed by the OGs Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Kobe.
5 hours ago
Turns out that Mr. Wonderful was ordained by the state of California to do the job.
6 hours ago
Fans did not expect to see a person with such a striking resemblance to the former Vice President.
9 hours ago
Rick Harrison wasn't trying to this item for a low price as it was historically significant.
11 hours ago
Despite offering $1.5 million, Harrison was unable to make a deal for the historic item.
1 day ago
Kevin O'Leary hailed their salesmanship after coming to a $600,000 valuation.
1 day ago
The star also followed it up with a second shoutout seeking another chance for her on the show.
1 day ago
The clock was a piece of art and its mechanism was as intriguing as it gets.
1 day ago
The company wasn't profitable and this alone had turned away most sharks in the first place.
1 day ago
All three contestants were unable to make the right guess, and fans pointed out what was wrong online.
2 days ago
The guest was enthusiastic about the painting and the expert was marvelled by its story.
2 days ago
Even the contestant lost his balance as he laughed at his answer immediately.
2 days ago
The Duke of Wellington gifted them the table and a set of willow-patterned tea sets to go with it.
2 days ago
Her product could help a lot of people protect their homes and loved ones from deadly fires.
3 days ago
A lot of the sharks were unsure about the product due to unfortunate incidents in the past.
3 days ago
“He seems like a lot of fun as a dad,” Seacrest admired Tony and Mike Nunes' relationship.
3 days ago
The painting was made by Francois Gilot, the ex-lover of the famous Pablo Picasso.
3 days ago
However, few fans loved their coordinated moves, "Steve Harvey be sharp all the time!"
3 days ago
The founder of Chirp scored a creative deal with Lori Greiner after much deliberation.
4 days ago
“Read the room, Ken, not the time to joke when his dream just got crushed,” a viewer slammed.
4 days ago