08/24/2026
đł When did tipping go from being a gesture of appreciation to something people feel entitled to expect?
I recently picked up a takeout order that took less than two minutes. There was no table service, no drinks, and no refills, but I still left a 10% tip because I wanted to show my appreciation.
Then I noticed a handwritten message on the receipt:
*"Don't come back unless you tip 20%."* âď¸
Honestly, that changed the entire experience for me.
Tipping should feel like a thank-you for good serviceânot a requirement backed by guilt or judgment.
With food prices rising, extra fees appearing everywhere, and tip screens asking for increasingly higher percentages, itâs understandable that people are questioning where tipping culture is headed.
What do you think? Is tipping still about appreciation, or has it become an expectation? đ