Tipping Dilemma: Customers Feel Growing Pressure to Tip More Service Workers

Tipping culture has expanded to more industries, causing "tip inflation." Customers now feel pressured to tip in unfamiliar contexts.

Etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts gives tipping guidelines 20% for servers, varies for hotel staff. She says tip when service is performed, but it's okay to not tip for self-service.

"Tipping point" happened in 2020; pandemic increased tips to support essential workers. Suggested tip amounts also increased tips due to social pressure.

With no social pressure, such as rideshares, people tip less. Businesses want tips to raise worker pay without raising prices due to inflation fears.

There's no universal tipping rule. Finance experts say 20% isn't always mandatory, except for excellent service. Consider worker wages in deciding when to tip.