Could It Be We're Being Guilted into Tipping?

From restaurants to taxis, technology is making it easier than ever before to tip. But what's considered a fair tip? Should it vary from job to job or service to service? Or - consider this - is all this new-fangled technology intended to do nothing more than guilt us into tipping more?

In New York City, for example, when you hail a cab a 20% tip is automatically tacked on to the fare. Many of the restaurants in bigger cities now automatically build in a 20%-30% tip no matter how many - or few - are in your party. And it's not just the fancy places. Even some of the fast food joints are going that direction.

Oh wait, it gets better. It's now recommended that you tip the baggage handler at the airport $5 a bag! A buck a bag maybe, but $5 a bag - I don't think so. Your job is to move luggage from point A to point B. That's what you're being paid to do.

Tipping Is a Scam and Should Be Outlawed. Here’s Why.

In my opinion, the biggest ripoff is coffee shops. When you pay electronically, you're now given the option of tipping $1, $2 or $3 - on a $5 cup of coffee. And I'm the guy who only gets the brew of the day. You're pouring coffee into a cup and putting a lid on it, and you want a tip?

A friend of mine recently took her family to a buffet restaurant and was given a credit card receipt asking if she would like to leave a tip - hello, IT'S A BUFFET! Buffet means I get my own food and drink!

I wonder where it's all gonna end? This is not the first time we've addressed this very subject on the website. If you're interested in reading the previous articles, the links are below.

Is Anyone Else Getting Sick-And-Tired Of Having To Tip For Everything These Days?

I would love to know when exactly we went from tipping someone for a job well done to a tip automatically being expected of you - no matter what the service was like, good or bad. How 'bout we all do our jobs, and if I go over-and-above what's expected, you tip me if you like?

Call me old fashioned, but I still believe tipping should be something I decide, not the restaurant or company. If you don't have the courage (and respect) to pay your employees a decent living wage, don't expect me to make up the difference.

It's time we, the customer, stand up for what's right. My rule from now on is - crappy service, no tip!!! Good service - I'm more than happy to leave a generous tip!!!