Topic Reading-Vol.3917-1/1/2023

Happy New Year to MEL Topic Readers,
‘Out of control’: No one knows how much to tip
In America, tipping is optional in name only. Legally it’s voluntary but you are expected to give a gratuity of between 15 and 25 percent after casual dining and could be more at a decent restaurant. Paying extra on top of the bill at a restaurant may seem unnecessary to visitors but if you consider the servers in America earn just a few dollars per hour for their services, it starts to make sense. In fact, the minimum wage for tipped workers is significantly lower than that of ordinary workers in many states, as low as $2.13 per hour. So, the waitstaff is like independent contractors you’re paying to wait at your table in America. But recently, coffee baristas and ice cream servers often show you tipping options, like 10%, 15%, 20%, or none, on the payment screen. Aren’t those workers paid at least the standard minimum wage? It has been customary to put a dollar bill or changes in a jar by the cash register in such shops, which was regarded as optional. However, as more people pay by card and phone, those shops now put you in a position where you feel obligated to show your gratitude and generosity on the screen, which is directly seen by the waitstaff. Their smile makes you feel more obligated to show your gratitude. What should you do?
Enjoy reading the recent tips to tip digitally in America.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/tips-coffee-ice-cream-touch-screens-ctrp/index.html