I’m at my Tipping Point from Giving Tips

Tipping culture’s evolution from optional to expected

Rae Port

Class of 26

Not long ago, tipping was a gesture of appreciation for outstanding service– a way to say

“thank you” after a waitress gave thoughtful recommendations, kept your glass full and

quickly cleared your dirty plates. Now, tipping requests have become ubiquitous, from

coffee shops and gas stations to self-service kiosks, where screens beg for a 15-25% tip.

Skipping the tip often leaves customers feeling guilty. What was once a voluntary show

of gratitude has shifted into something that feels obligatory.

"Tipping screens are

everywhere now, and I feel guilty if I don’t tip enough,

" said Xrds student, Lola Goetz

’26.

I work at Crimson, a Mediterranean restaurant in Santa Monica with a “self-serve”

system where customers order at the counter and take a number to their table. There are

no waiters, just a cash register staffed by workers. After placing an order, customers are

presented with an option to tip, which some argue is redundant since there is a perception

that staff at self-serve restaurants do little beyond basic tasks. Many customers believe

tipping should be reserved for traditional full-service establishments where they are being

directly waited on. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 72% of

customers feel tipping in self-serve environments has spread to more places and is

unnecessary unless they are receiving personalized service. According to the research

center,

“Around 21% of Americans say it’s more of a choice, while 29% say it’s more of

an obligation.

”

When customers tap their card to pay, they’re often caught off guard by the prompt

asking them how much they want to tip. Reactions vary—some hit “no tip” with

frustration, others hesitate before adding a dollar, and a few still tip the customary

15-20%. Tipping has become a contentious issue, with everyone reacting differently.

After working at Crimson for over a year, I am conflicted. I want to encourage tipping

because I’ve seen firsthand how it is crucial for employees to support themselves. Take

the dishwasher who works night shifts– she brings her 9-year-old daughter to every shift

because she can’t afford childcare. Her older daughter, one of our packers, works three

jobs to help support the family. Knowing this, I always tip, understanding that even a

small tip can help someone in ways customers might not see. That being said, there are

days when we don’t do much. On slow mornings, my coworkers and I sometimes pass

the time by doing crossword puzzles on the back of the newspaper. There is a big

difference between self-service and full-service. Many customers leave without tipping,

and it doesn’t bother me, but when people leave me a generous tip, I remember it.

If tipping is just based solely on the service you get from the person behind the register,

it’s easy to see from my perspective why some customers opt for a small tip or none atall. Crimson is a fast-casual restaurant, and we don’t put on the performance that servers

in full-service restaurants often do to earn a bigger tip. It is as simple as this, the service

seems very minimal so the customers do give very minimal tips. But there's still work

being done that people overlook. We split our tips evenly with some members of the back

of the house including the runners and dishwashers. Their job description includes

considerably more work than the front house staff. In my opinion, your tip, even though it

feels forced and unnecessary, can be a great way to show thanks to the people working

behind the scenes to make sure your meal is perfect.

My manager, Sammy Valentine, who’s been in the restaurant industry for 15 years and

makes $18.25 an hour, is also skeptical about tipping in self-serve settings.

“I don’t think

tips are necessary for fast-casual restaurants unless we’re going out of our way to give

extra service, like bringing out drinks or providing something special,

” said Valentine.

Valentine suggests a solution: rather than eliminating tips, the suggested percentage on

the tip screen should be lower. Tips are always appreciated and can make a difference,

even just by lifting someone’s mood. But at the end of the day, he emphasizes that not

tipping isn’t the end of the world.