Tipping for Grown-Ups

Tipping, it’s complicated. With so many more tip jars and digital tipping options available, it can often be confusing to figure out what goods or services you should always be tipping on and how much. Well, turns out tipping culture is pretty complex and spoiler alert, there isn’t always one set of straightforward rules to follow. 

With the help of special guest Stacey Vanek Smith (Bloomberg Audio, NPR’s “Planet Money” and “The Indicator,” APM’s “Marketplace,” and author of the book “Machiavelli for Women: Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace”), Matt and Molly explore the nuances of tipping and some of the signs to look for and consider when that screen turns in their direction. Plus, learn about what a subminimum wage is, the origins of tipping, and how to embrace the custom tip option. 

Cited Sources: 

• “Tipping Culture in America: Public Sees a Changed Landscape” - Pew Research Center
• “Do You Tip More or Less Often Than the Average American?” - Pew Research Center
• “Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees” - U.S. Department of Labor
• “Did COVID-19 Pandemic Dampen Americans’ Tipping for Food Services? Insights from Two Studies” - Compensation & Benefits Review
• “Technology May Turn You Into A Bigger Tipper” - NPR’s “Morning Edition”

Do you have grown-up stuff that you want to figure out and learn more about? Send us an email or voice memo with your ideas and questions to [email protected] You may hear your question on an upcoming episode! 

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