## The Rising Trend of Tipping at Fast Food Joints: A Changing Custom?
Increasingly, customers are encountering tipping prompts on screens when ordering takeout or utilizing fast-food drive-thrus. From automated kiosks to cashiers awaiting a response, the request for gratuities is becoming more common – a shift that has many questioning whether it aligns with the traditional nature of fast food.
“It usually catches me off guard,” remarked Chris Nordstrom, a commercial real estate executive from Kansas City, Missouri. “Fast food, by its very definition, has historically been a non-tipping experience.”
A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that only 12% of U.S. adults tip when dining at “fast casual” establishments. The majority – approximately 77% – indicated that the quality of service is a “major factor” in their tipping decision.
“I don’t tip if I pay before I eat,” one Reddit user commented, reflecting a common sentiment. Another added, “If there’s a tip option at a fast-food restaurant, it should be an instant zero…unless they make less than minimum wage.”
It’s important to note that most fast-food restaurants are required to pay the federal minimum wage – and many states have even higher rates. The National Restaurant Association confirms that tipped employees in the industry also earn at least their state’s mandated minimum wage.
While some, like Blair Dubinsky, a client advisor from New York City, readily tip fast-food workers out of courtesy, stating, “Working with the public isn’t easy, and if that’s the way I can thank them, I don’t mind doing it,” others remain hesitant.
According to Sarah Aynesworth, a Texas-based etiquette consultant, tipping is largely an American custom. “‘TIP’ is actually an acronym for ‘to insure promptness,’ originating during Prohibition when people offered extra money to expedite alcohol deliveries.”
Aynesworth herself doesn’t consistently adhere to the standard 20% tip at casual or fast-food establishments, explaining, “That percentage is more appropriate for a seated meal where someone is providing attentive service. At a fast-food restaurant, you’re paying for convenience and prepared food.”
Furthermore, Aynesworth cautioned customers to carefully examine the pre-set tip options on screens, noting that they sometimes inflate beyond typical percentages.
Nordstrom observed an uptick in auto-tip suggestions, with some starting as high as 25%. “When I’m being prompted to tip for something as simple as receiving a glass of water, it feels excessive. It’s almost like social pressure is overshadowing the original purpose of tipping – rewarding exceptional service.”
Ultimately, Dubinsky believes that while not obligatory, tipping remains a polite gesture. “I don’t think people *need* to tip at a fast-food restaurant… however, those preparing your order put in effort, and showing appreciation through a gratuity is considerate.” She added she will only leave a tip when interacting with staff but not when picking up food from a drive-thru window.
Nordstrom concluded that the increasing ubiquity of tipping prompts risks diluting its meaning. “If it becomes an expectation everywhere, regardless of the service provided, then the concept of rewarding exceptional hospitality is lost – and it transforms into something akin to an additional fee.”
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