Is Tipping Getting Out of Hand?

Key points

Tipping has expanded into self-service situations, creating pressure to tip where tipping never used to exist.

Research shows tipping is driven more by social pressure than by service quality.

As a result, tipping is starting to feel like an obligation rather than a genuine act of appreciation.

As I stood staring at the screen, the tip buttons—20%, 25%, even 50%—blinked back at me like a test I hadn’t studied for. Not knowing the answer, I felt a jolt of panic .

A line had formed behind me, and I could practically feel the eyes on my back. In my mind, they were all silently judging, waiting to see which button I’d hit. I quickly looked for the button for "no tip," but, under pressure, guilt made the decision for me. I tapped 20%.

Here’s the thing, though: I wasn’t at