TIPS
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (97616)
United States
March 12, 2025 9:03am CST
I am not sure if it is actually true, or if someone just made it up, but the concept behind it, true or not, still makes perfect sense when it comes to offering someone a tip.
Supposedly the word "tip" or "tips" is an acronym for, "to insure promptness and service."
Part of what makes me think it might be made up is, shouldn't it be ENSURE? In any event.
In other words, a tip was always meant to be something extra offered as an added thank you for someone going above and beyond and even making one's life easier. Granted, we know that wait staff are paid very much under the minimum wage, so tips are very important to them.
But it seems as tipping culture has evolved, and quite honestly gotten out of control, it's the earning part of the equation that has sadly been forgotten about.
No, a tip is not a given. You still must earn it, and it is not unfair if you don't get one because you haven't done something to get one—it's only unfair if you did earn it but someone didn't offer it.
I mean, think about DoorDash, Uber Eats, and even grocery delivery. You PRE-tip, which makes NO sense and completely defies the purpose OF a tip in the first place.
What if the food was cold and took longer than expected to get? What if the delivery driver was a turd? What if the order wasn't right? The person gets tipped REGARDLESS of whether or not the tip was actually deserved.
Even the automatic gratuity for large groups is a bit over the top egregious to me. It's often set at 18%. But how does this "INSURE" promptness and service if the tip is automatic?
We need to not only change our tipping culture, but we need people to understand that a tip is EARNED and not simply deserved just because you showed up.
15 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (143758)
• United States
12 Mar
Thank you for voicing my thoughts on this matter.
Have you noticed that there is a tip jar now at every filling station? I put the gas in and come inside to pay for it. Why should the person running a register get tipped? They didn't do anything for me.
3 people like this
@kareng (71041)
• United States
13 Mar
@DaddyEvil That is happening at a lot of places. I have noticed tip jars at Fox's Pizza, Subway, and even some fast food places. It's way out of hand!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (143758)
• United States
13 Mar
@kareng Gas stations are the only places we go besides doctors and grocery stores.
3 people like this
Right!! Totally agree!
@LindaOHio (184773)
• United States
14 Mar
@porwest I would rather pay more for a meal than have to tip.
1 person likes this
@porwest (97616)
• United States
14 Mar
@LindaOHio Frankly, I would too. At the same time, when waitstaff are polled, they are overwhelmingly in favor of tips over a higher standard wage since they tend to make much more over minimum wage when tips are added in.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3777)
• India
13 Mar
The idea that "tip" stands for "To Ensure Promptness and Service" is interesting, but it does seem more like a backronym than the actual origin of the word. I do agree with you that "ensure" would be the correct word in that context, which makes the explanation even more questionable. It seems the original purpose of tipping was to reward exceptional service, and never ever to replace fair wages. Over time, unfortunately tipping culture has evolved to the point where it often feels more like an obligation than a reward. Pre-tipping for services like DoorDash or Uber Eats undermines the whole concept since you’re rewarding service before knowing its quality. Automatic gratuity, especially at 18% or higher, can feel very high when service is not up to marks. Tipping should definitely be a reflection of good service, not something expected by default. A fair wage system would help reduce reliance on tips and bring tipping back to being a true reward for great service. Thats my take!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (123243)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Mar
Tipping has gotten out of hand, I agree. I generally will tip 15% if the service was substandard, 20% if it was right what I expected, and 25% if I felt the service staff went above and beyond.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (123243)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Mar
@porwest I used to be that way, using 10%, 15% and 20% as my basis. But nowadays I've gotten a little more generous with my tips.
@Fleura (31368)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar
Here a tip/gratuity is generally optional. In some places such as restaurants, it is added to the bill but you can decline to include that. I have never used DoorDash, Uber Eats, or even grocery delivery, so I have no idea whether a so-called tip is included in the price but as you say, if it is included then it isn't a tip is it? It's just part of the charge.
And you are right about the insure/ ensure point as well.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (46040)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Mar
I hate when restaurants automatically add 18% to the bill. And then after they swipe your card the receipt you have to sign has a tip line for you to fill in. Don’t expect a tip if you already took 18% from me.
Also, the tip is meant for the waiter as I understand. Why aren’t we tipping based on the whole dining experience? Like if I don’t like my food for any reason or it took too long to get it, etc. I don’t want to give a high tip or maybe even any.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (36314)
•
15 Mar
I agree with your analysis. It has gotten out of hand. You pick up a pizza (no delivery) and there on the counter is a tip jar. For bringing out your pizza from the kitchen which is supposed to be your job anyway. I never could understand that one.
And now we are dictated to on how much to tip for service with automatic gratuity. If the service is lousy, one must still tip a specific amount. Where is the incentive for a job well done, seems you are guaranteed a respectable tip no matter what the level of service.
