The Changing Dynamics of Tipping: From Rewarding Service to Determining Consumer Treatment
Tipping has evolved from a reward for good service to a determining factor in how consumers are treated. Services like Instacart and Uber allow customers to tip in advance, influencing the selection of shoppers and drivers. However, recent surveys show that consumers are experiencing "tip fatigue" and are tipping less while resenting tipping prompts. Two-thirds of Americans have a negative view of tipping, particularly when faced with predetermined point-of-sale options. Despite this, tipping in advance is not entirely new, as people have long used generous tips as a bribe for future services.