All articles tagged with #tipping
A Salt Lake City Shake Shack kiosk allegedly increased each milkshake’s price by 50 cents when customers chose 'no tip,' adding $1.50 to their order. Shake Shack says the rise was a kiosk technology error at the HMSHost-operated location, not a tipping policy, and the issue has been resolved. The incident went viral on TikTok and has fueled online debate about tipping culture.
A TikTok video claimed a Shake Shack kiosk raised the price of three milkshakes by $1.50 after the customers chose not to tip. Shake Shack says the charge was an error tied to kiosk technology at a HMSHost-operated location, not the tipping policy, and the issue has been resolved with operators.”
Shake Shack says it does not raise prices or add surcharges for non-tipping orders; a Salt Lake City airport kiosk glitch produced an apparent 50-cent per-item surcharge, which the company says has been fixed and was unrelated to tipping.
A TikTok claim that not tipping at the Shake Shack inside Salt Lake City International Airport would make items more expensive was attributed to a tech glitch during a pricing update; HMSHost said the upcharge was erroneous and the correct price appeared on the menu boards, with the issue fixed shortly after it was reported.
A viral TikTok claimed that selecting 'No Tip' at a Shake Shack self-serve kiosk at a Salt Lake City airport caused the total to rise by about $1.50, prompting a debate about tipping culture. Shake Shack says there is no policy linking no-tip to higher prices and is reviewing the incident with HMSHost; the video does not prove causation. The piece notes rising tipping fatigue among U.S. consumers (about 78% affected) and mentions founder Danny Meyer’s past stance that tipping isn’t required for basic transactions, while many still tip at fast-food venues.
A video showing a Schlotzsky’s deli asking customers to tip the kitchen staff sparked a nationwide debate about tipping culture, with critics arguing tips aren’t needed for non‑servers and concerns about food tampering; supporters cite surveys showing rising gratuity prompts and calls for reform in how tipping is displayed and paid.
Cruise lines are raising automatic gratuities and service charges for 2026, with Holland America implementing daily 'Crew Appreciation' fees of $18 per day for non-suites and $20 for suites, plus an 18% service charge on drinks, spa, and certain purchases. MSC Cruises and Carnival followed with higher per-night or per-day charges (MSCs rising to $17 standard, $23 for Yacht Club; Carnival to $17 standard, $19 suites), prompting passenger complaints on social media about deceptive pricing and mounting travel costs.
In a Dear Prudence column, Prudie says delivery tips should reflect distance and difficulty rather than the meal’s price: tip at least $1 per mile and add more if the building is hard to reach or there are stairs, wrong/unit issues, or other challenges. The cost of the meal itself should not boost pay for the driver; generosity beyond the minimum is appreciated and can help ensure faster, hotter delivery.
A DoorDash driver reportedly left a warning note before realizing the customer had a cash tip ready, a clip that’s resurfaced online and sparked renewed debate about tipping norms in the gig-economy and whether tips should be expected or included in base pay.
Americans aren’t typically required to tip for takeout, but tips are appreciated, especially for curbside pickup or large orders. Experts say a 10% tip is reasonable for takeout services, while the 15–20% standard for dine-in isn’t mandatory. Factors like extra packaging work, order checks, and dietary accommodations justify tipping. If you pick up in person, a tip to the preparer is a kind gesture. Online tipping prompts can pressure customers, and some diners skip ordering due to tip expectations, per a Tillster report.
A Defector writer recounts a favorite coffee shop lunch that ends with a shockingly itemized bill—extra charges for poached eggs, fruit substitutions, and small add-ons, plus a mandatory tip—illustrating how modern eateries upsell and inflate the bill.
A Popmenu survey finds 78% say tipping practices have gotten out of hand, with 44% tipping less this year as digital prompts and guilt-tipping pressure grow. Consumers are tipping less across restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, and delivery, and many would rather pay higher prices to eliminate gratuities (56%). While some still tip 20%+ for servers and drivers, those rates have fallen, and a notable share notes they sometimes skip tips for certain services. The trend reflects pandemic-era shifts, inflation, and increasingly ubiquitous tipping prompts.
Waitstaff share unverified, user-submitted stories about celebrities visiting their venues, with a mix of kind and difficult behavior (Drew Barrymore, Dolly Parton, Beyoncé praised; Jake Pauls and Tim Allen cited as rude or demanding), reflecting varied celebrity etiquette as told on Reddit and compiled by BuzzFeed.
A BuzzFeed compilation gathers reader-submitted celebrity tipping stories, highlighting generous tips from stars like John Legend, LeBron James, Dana White and Mary J. Blige, and notable snubs from Oprah and Billie Eilish, showcasing a wide range of tipping behavior across decades.
A CBS News poll reveals that about two-thirds of Americans believe expectations for tipping have increased in recent years, with many viewing it as an added cost rather than a gesture of appreciation, likely influenced by rising prices and costs overall.