A photo of a tip jar placed on a hotel buffet in the US has sparked active controversy and outrage in the online community. An anonymous tourist posted this photo on Reddit.
His caption for the photo simply said, “Self-service continental breakfast.” However, more than 3,000 commentators of the forum spoke about the ridiculous presence of a tip jar, like the one in Ukrainian coffee shops.
One user expressed his surprise, asking: “Tip bank for what exactly? It’s self-service.” Another commenter noted, “The fact that people are putting money in the bank really speaks volumes about the tipping culture and the fact that people feel they have to leave a tip almost everywhere.”
In recent years, the American tipping culture has become the subject of controversy and questioning because it causes negative reactions from travelers. Tourists express their dissatisfaction with the fact that waiters and other staff expect tips not for full service, but for any little things, for example, for serving an ice cream cone, even if the quality of service leaves much to be desired.
However, for service workers, tips remain an important part of income. In a country where workers receive a low basic wage, tips become a necessary supplement for their survival.
On the one hand, there are supporters of the tipping system. They believe that rewards motivate service employees to provide high-quality service. On the other hand, there are critics. They argue that this trend creates income volatility and increases anxiety among staff who would like to focus more on their work and not on the issue of tips.
“No, no, you have to tip yourself after you’ve made breakfast,” “You pick up a plate of cereal first, then tip a dollar for the wages the hotel didn’t pay its staff,” “American tipping culture is absurd “, “American tipping culture is too toxic,” users complained.