DailyDirt: Leaving A Good Tip...

Tipping is an acceptable custom in many restaurants across America, but the tradition isn't looked upon favorably in other parts of the world -- or even across the entire service sector in the US. Sure, there are arguments for it and against it -- and minor debates are held every day over how much of a tip to leave. Lately, there's been some shift towards eliminating tipping -- for a variety of reasons from restaurants trying to manage increasing minimum wages to general appeals to fairness.

• Some sources say "TIPS" comes from the acronym "To Insure Prompt Service" (or some variation of that). However, the etymology of the word 'tip' is hundreds of years old and its use to mean a gratuity is also much older than any clever acronym (or backronym). [url]
• The practice of tipping began in Europe, but it didn't continue there -- and some restaurants are experimenting with ending the tradition in the US. There are also some folks who argue that tipping perpetuates inequity in the workforce and that laws should change because it would help advance gender and racial equality. [url]
• Minimum wage regulations may or may not be the sole factor behind restaurants moving to a "Hospitality Included" policy. Some employees at high-end restaurants might be tempted by the fast food industry's increasing minimum wage, and back-of-the-house cooks are in short supply currently. Still, restaurant owners are taking on some risk by forgoing the many benefits of having a traditional tipping policy and betting that patrons will adjust to higher prices on menus. [url]

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