The Controversy of Tipping: Experts and Reports Shed Light

The expansion of tipping culture, known as tipflation, has become more prevalent during the pandemic, leading to confusion about when tipping is customary and expected. Etiquette experts in St. Louis suggest that tipping is not required in situations where no extra service is provided beyond the basics of a sales transaction. However, social pressure often influences customers to tip in these situations. The use of point-of-sale touchpads has made tipping screens ubiquitous, leading to higher gratuity percentages and "tipping fatigue." Some restaurant owners have implemented models where gratuity is built into the cost of the meal, addressing wage disparities and eliminating the need for customer tips.