Prompt Cast
The History and Etiquette of Tipping: From Thieves' Slang to Guilt and Fear
TLDR Tipping originated in Europe as a way to show appreciation to servants, but has evolved into an expected practice driven by guilt and fear. The US leads the world in tipping due to neurotic and extroverted traits, and tipping percentages have fluctuated over time, with 20% becoming the norm before the economic crisis.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode is about how tipping works.
05:01
Tipping originated in Europe in the 16th century as a way to show appreciation to servants, but over time it became expected and depended on, and the idea that tipping stands for "To Ensure Promptness" is not valid.
10:13
Tipping originated from thieves' slang and the act of tipping came from either tipping servants or giving money to someone at a bar to buy their own drink, and tipping became common in the US when the Pullman Rail Car Company underpaid their porters and relied on tips to make up for it.
15:03
Tipping is driven by guilt and fear, and the US leads the world in tipping due to neurotic and extroverted traits, with studies showing that touching customers can increase tips.
19:57
Touching customers and having the right attitude can increase tips, while giving candy and personalized gifts can also lead to higher tips.
25:01
Tipping percentages have fluctuated over time, with 20% becoming the norm before the economic crisis, but now it has gone back down to 15% and 20% for exceptional service.
29:28
When dining at a restaurant, it's not just the waiter that you should tip, but also the person who seats you, the maitre d', and the sommelier, depending on the level of service provided.
34:04
Holiday tipping is expected for various service workers, including garbage collectors, mailmen, dog walkers, nannies, cleaning services, manicurists, hairdressers, hotel maids, bellhops, and concierges, with the amount depending on the service provided.
38:40
Tipping guidelines for various service workers include tipping doormen a buck if they hail a taxi, tipping two to five bucks for food delivery depending on the weather and neighborhood, tipping one to ten bucks for flower deliveries, and tipping furniture delivery workers if they are 65 or older.
43:22
Some people you don't have to tip include fast food workers, restaurant owners, salon owners, and flight attendants, and there is currently a bill in Congress to raise the federal tipped minimum wage.
48:16
The episode ends with the hosts asking for tipping stories and promoting their social media accounts and other podcasts.
Categories:
Society & Culture
