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Summary

Tipping in U.S. restaurants has dropped to 19.3%, the lowest in six years, driven by frustration over rising menu prices and increased prompts for tips in non-traditional settings.

Only 38% of consumers tipped 20% or more in 2024, down from 56% in 2021, reflecting tighter budgets.

Diners are cutting back on outings, spending less, and tipping less. Some restaurants are adding service fees, further reducing tips.

Worker advocacy groups are pushing to eliminate the tipped-wage system, while the restaurant industry warns these shifts hurt business and employees.

Key cities like D.C. and Chicago are phasing in higher minimum wages for tipped workers.

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  • DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyzEnglish
    3·
    13 hours ago

    Let me take a different tack and remind myself of our points of agreement:

    I think that we both agree that the worker is valuable, and that their work is valuable. You have indicated as much.

    I think we can both agree that the worker is not being paid fairly for their work in the current system. I don’t think you would entertain the discussion otherwise.

    I think we can both agree that the current system of tipping is inherently problematic- you pointed out that “people have a right not to tip, but are wrong for doing so” or something to that effect.

    I’m willing to bet, with a lesser but still decisive confidence than those other three propositions:

    You probably think the employer is (in principle) chiefly responsible for fair compensation of their employees, or you at least recognize this is the case in any non-tipped position. (ie that tipped compensation is an exception to the norm)

    I’m putting myself out on a limb to infer:

    We probably also agree that if congress instituted a fair living minimum wage pegged to inflation across the board for all, or at least abolished the sub-minimum wage tipped compensation limit, we wouldn’t need to be having this discussion.

    Please correct me if I have put any words in your mouth.

    • Glytch@lemmy.world
      2·
      11 hours ago

      Any words you may have put in my mouth ( I don’t think you did but I’m on a 12 hour shift while we’re having this discussion so I don’t have the energy to check what I’ve already said) are ones I agree with. I do think we agree on the most important parts of what we’ve talked about (as you’ve laid out here).