Why I Don't Subscribe to 'Tipping Culture is Out of Control.'

You may have come across blogs, posts on social media, and other media complaining about how the tipping culture in the U.S. is out of control.

Personally, I don't think it is.

If you're spending more than you can afford, that's on you.

It's your responsibility to manage your finances, and if you're doing a poor job, you can't blame our tipping culture for that.

Another reason I don't think our tipping culture is out of control is because the people doing the groundwork are the backbone of the business (any and every business).

Without them, there's no product or service to sell.

I was just at a Starbucks getting a gift card, and all I could see were these three young women busting their ass*s to keep that place clean and running.

When the monitor asked if I wanted to tip, I said to myself, 'Heck yeah,' and added just another $1 to my purchase.

Someone may come for me and say, 'What makes you think $1 will make a difference?'

It may not make a financial difference in that person's life right now, but it will brighten their day when they see someone willing to give them a little more.

Someone was willing to recognize their hard work and give them a small reward.

The truth is greedy corporations like Starbucks will not pay these employees a livable wage because they don't care, and, probably the most important reason, it would cut into their shareholders' profits.

Until the government demands that salaries and hourly pay keep up with inflation, there won't be any changes to our current system.

And until we realize we have the power to vote with our dollars.

If you want to make a bigger difference, switch out your Starbucks or Dunkin for a drink from a privately owned local cafe.

(I know I sound like a hypocrite for saying this since I bought a gift card. I don't buy my coffee from Starbucks; I just got a gift card for someone I know who likes them, and it's Christmas, not the best time to tell her she should switch where she gets her coffee).

These people are young, like me, doing what they can with the opportunities and jobs that are available.

I turned to bartending and serving full-time because I kept getting laid off from these corporations that gave me supposed 'job security.'

News flash — there's no such a thing unless you're the person who owns the company.

Even CEOs get fired.

I can promise these workers are also doing more — going to school, working another job, or working on a side hustle.

This myth and stereotype that these people are lazy is the complete opposite of what's happening.

Sure, there are lazy people, and there's always that coworker doing the bare minimum or less.

But to label everyone who works in this industry as such is an erroneous generalization.

So, no, our tipping culture is not out of control.

The government and corporations are the ones out of control, taking our tax money and funding multiple wars, sending billions in supposed 'aid' to foreign countries, and ignoring the perils and necessities of their people.

When people say the tipping culture in the U.S. is out of control, all I hear is people being ignorant of the realities these workers face, selfish people who only care about their wellbeing and not anyone else's, and brainwashed people who think the government and corporations give two craps about anyone but themselves.

If you're one of the people willing to give a little more, here's a way to ensure a greedy corporation doesn't get one cent of your money — tip these workers in cash.

This way guarantees that the person working gets 100% of your contribution.

If you don't want to give anything, that's fine.

The bare minimum you can do is treat these people with the respect they deserve because they are doing the job of at least two people.

Corporations like to call having understaffed establishments' efficiency.'

If these corporations were trying to be efficient, they would reinvest their profits into the workforce and their establishments to offer better amenities and services.

But that's not going to happen because shareholders want their money now.

They don't care what happens to you, me, or their employees.

They're happy to have us spend mindlessly, not recognizing their greed.

I, however, have no problems calling it like I see it.

I have enough empathy to see that the people working and trying to make a living aren't the problem.

As I said, they're simply trying to do their best with the opportunities and jobs available in this country.

Think about it this way: if you were in their position, how would you like to be viewed and treated?