Has Gratuity Culture Reached A Tipping Point In Illinois?

Tipping is supposed to be an expression of gratitude for exceptional service, but now it has become a regular thing no matter where you go.  Illinois residents weigh in on the subject matter.

Growing up in America, I've started to realize we do a lot of things differently compared to the rest of the world.  I was completely unaware tips are not expected in most countries.  Sounds nice!

Japan for example, it's actually offensive to give a tip to someone for a service.

"In the majority of Japanese restaurants a bill is not brought to the table. Instead, payment is accepted at the bar, so even trying to leave a tip for the waiter can be tricky." [exoticca]

So, what's up with America hounding customers for tips nowadays?  I wonder how long it will take until the states start banning businesses from soliciting tips for employees who are under "non-tipped" wage.

Non-tipped employees are people who work at minimum wage or more.  Tipped employees are people who work at a base-wage and receive a substantial amount of their income off tips, like Bartenders, servers and services alike.

Read More: How Much Should You Tip at Illinois Hair and Nail Salons? 

When I worked at Coldstone Creamery in Rockford, Illinois, we sang songs whenever we'd get a tip even if it was a dollar.  We'd toss ice cream, put on a "show" while making someone's order and give people an experience worth tipping.

Now, if you go to a self-serve yogurt shop and there's a jar at the register, what am I giving the cashier a tip for?  That's where people are starting to wonder if tipping culture is getting way out of hand.

72% of adults say five years ago we didn't have a "tipping culture".  We are now living in a world where "tipflation" has become the norm.  We have to factor in the type of service we got, the appropriate amount, and if gratuity is even worth it at certain locations.

"Only about a third say it’s extremely or very easy to know whether (34%) or how much (33%) to tip for different types of services." [pewresearch]

It gives me so much anxiety to figure out if 20% is too much, too little, or if a simple dollar amount is good enough.  We shouldn't feel obligated to tip!

Has Gratuity Culture Reached A Tipping Point In Illinois?

I took it to Facebook to ask people to share the most ridiculous places they have been asked to tip.

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One of the most mentioned was self-service kiosks at airports, stadiums, and arenas.  You shop for yourself then ring yourself up.  Who are you tipping?  YOURSELF?!

Ashley, on Facebook, said she was online shopping and it asked if she wanted to tip at checkout.  That's pretty bizarre, I've never seen that before!

Other "ridiculous" places where people have been asked to tip:

• Fast food drive-thrus
• At Takeout/Carry-out
• Tanning salons
• Self-Checkout
• Gas stations
• Parking meters
• Bathrooms
• Over-the-phone services

I need to hear your thoughts on whether or not tipping culture has completely spiraled out of control and where you've been ask to tip at that just doesn't make sense!