Tipping inflation is real, and it’s coming to a tablet near you. Here’s how digital prompts pressure you to tip more — and why the rules haven’t actually changed.
Tipping inflation is real, and it’s coming to a tablet near you.
1 How Tablets Prompt Bigger Tips
Merchants using Square and other mobile payment services can set “recommended” tip amounts or percentages for any transaction — including ones that traditionally haven’t included tips. Your payment card is swiped through a device attached to an iPad or other tablet, and you’re presented with a screen suggesting you add a gratuity.
People have reported being prompted for sizable tips at bakeries, food trucks and takeout counters. Hop in a New York City cab, and the credit card reader will prompt you to leave a 20%, 25% or 30% tip. Get a haircut or a massage, and you may be presented with a screen that has the “25% tip” box already checked.
2 Why the Screen Feels Like Pressure
Square cautions businesses against setting suggested tip amounts too high, saying that “can alienate customers and make it less likely that they’ll come back.” But Square also recommends merchants add a “no tip” option precisely because a survey found some people were more likely to leave a gratuity this way.
“It’s one thing to bypass a tip jar or just leave the gratuity line blank when you’re signing a check, but it’s harder to physically press a button saying you aren’t going to leave anything.”
Many people feel added pressure because the would-be recipient is standing right there, watching the transaction. Even in restaurants, where customers used to leave a cash tip or a signed credit card receipt on the table, waiters may be swiping cards at the diners elbows and presenting them with “add a tip” screens.
3 The Tipping Rules Haven’t Changed
Tipping rules haven’t changed, regardless of what a merchant’s screen is telling you, says etiquette expert Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the “Awesome Etiquette” podcast. Fifteen to 20 percent is still the accepted range for taxi rides, haircuts, spa services and table service in sit-down restaurants.
“You can tip with confidence. You have no obligation to tip more,” Post says.
Gratuities are important in full-service restaurants, since servers often are paid less than the federal minimum wage on the assumption they will earn tips. Restaurant tips are traditionally based on the pretax amount of the bill, although some merchants are guilty of suggesting tips based on the total bill. People may default to 20% because the math is easier, or opt to base the tip on the after-tax bill, but that’s all discretionary, Post says.
There’s also no obligation to leave a tip for a takeout order, unless it was complicated or included curbside delivery. In that case, 10% is fine. Home delivery merits a 10 to 15% tip, with pizza delivery meriting a $2 to $5 tip. In most other situations, tip screens can be viewed just like tip jars — entirely optional.
4 Tip With Confidence on Your Terms
What if you want to leave a tip, just not what the screen is suggesting? You can leave cash, of course, but you’ll typically have the option to change or customize a gratuity that’s charged to your card.
“I feel no shame in completely ignoring it, hitting ‘other option’ and putting in my percentage that I feel comfortable using,” Post says. “It is your discretion what you put there.”
The article Don’t Let Technology Bully You Into Tipping originally appeared on NerdWallet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do tablet payment screens suggest such high tips?
Merchants using Square and other mobile payment services can set “recommended” tip amounts or percentages for any transaction, including ones that traditionally haven’t included tips. After your card is swiped, the screen presents preset options — sometimes 20%, 25% or 30% — and may even have a higher tip box already checked, which nudges you toward leaving more than you might have on your own.
What is the standard tip amount according to etiquette experts?
Etiquette expert Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute says tipping rules haven’t changed regardless of what a merchant’s screen tells you. Fifteen to 20 percent is still the accepted range for taxi rides, haircuts, spa services and table service in sit-down restaurants. As she puts it, you can tip with confidence and have no obligation to tip more.
Do I have to leave a tip on a takeout or delivery order?
There’s no obligation to leave a tip for a takeout order unless it was complicated or included curbside delivery, in which case 10% is fine. Home delivery merits a 10 to 15% tip, and pizza delivery merits a $2 to $5 tip. In most other situations, tip screens can be viewed just like tip jars — entirely optional.
Should restaurant tips be based on the pretax or total bill?
Restaurant tips are traditionally based on the pretax amount of the bill, although some merchants are guilty of suggesting tips based on the total bill. People may default to 20% because the math is easier, or opt to base the tip on the after-tax amount, but according to Lizzie Post that choice is entirely discretionary.
Can I leave a different tip than the screen suggests?
Yes. If you want to leave a tip but not the amount the screen suggests, you can leave cash, or you’ll typically have the option to change or customize the gratuity charged to your card. Lizzie Post says she feels no shame in ignoring the suggestion, hitting “other option” and entering the percentage she’s comfortable with — it is your discretion what you put there.
Don’t Let Technology Bully You Into Tipping page context
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Tipping prompts on tablet screens push you to tip more, but the rules haven't changed. Learn the standard tip ranges and how to tip on your own terms.
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Tipping inflation is real, and it’s coming to a tablet near you.
Merchants using Square and other mobile payment services can set “recommended” tip amounts or percentages for any transaction — including ones that traditionally haven’t included tips.
People have reported being prompted for sizable tips at bakeries, food trucks and takeout counters.
Square cautions businesses against setting suggested tip amounts too high, saying that “can alienate customers and make it less likely that they’ll come back.”.
Many people feel added pressure because the would-be recipient is standing right there, watching the transaction.
Tipping rules haven’t changed, regardless of what a merchant’s screen is telling you, says etiquette expert Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the “Awesome Etiquette” podcast.
“You can tip with confidence.
Gratuities are important in full-service restaurants, since servers often are paid less than the federal minimum wage on the assumption they will earn tips.
There’s also no obligation to leave a tip for a takeout order, unless it was complicated or included curbside delivery.
What if you want to leave a tip, just not what the screen is suggesting?.
“I feel no shame in completely ignoring it, hitting ‘other option’ and putting in my percentage that I feel comfortable using,” Post says.
The article Don’t Let Technology Bully You Into Tipping originally appeared on NerdWallet .
Merchants using Square and other mobile payment services can set “recommended” tip amounts or percentages for any transaction, including ones that traditionally haven’t included tips.
Etiquette expert Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute says tipping rules haven’t changed regardless of what a merchant’s screen tells you.
There’s no obligation to leave a tip for a takeout order unless it was complicated or included curbside delivery, in which case 10% is fine.
Restaurant tips are traditionally based on the pretax amount of the bill, although some merchants are guilty of suggesting tips based on the total bill.
Yes.
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