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Andres Navarro

Professor Mahta Rosenfeld

English 113A

17 September 2017

Financial Obligations

Taking my first Uber was a confusing experience. As my girlfriend and I stepped out of

the vehicle, the Uber driver rolls down the window and says, Make sure you leave a tip on the

app, and he drove away. With the pressure of looking cheap, I thought and asked myself, Is

tipping an obligation? Michael Lewis in the article, The Case Against Tipping states, no

lawful behavior in the marketplace is as disturbing to me as the growing appeals for gratitude

(39). With the persuasiveness in his statement, Michael Lewis creates a powerful view on tipping

and why the plastic beggars cup should be removed. From the discretion of the matter that

makes things unpleasant to the fact they are now becoming obligatory, Michael Lewis stays

strong in his belief. Michael Lewis believes in the removal of obligatory tipping and supports his

claim with the fact that tips should not be obligatory in the first place. For starters, when coming

across a cash register, there is always a plastic cup shakedown meaning the tip jar is facing you

and expecting more than what is already being paid for. As Michael mentions about the cab

incident, But a tip that sure thing is no longer a tip really. Its more like a tax. (33). Carrying

over the fact that tipping is an obligatory tax and never a generous act of kindness or an act for

good service anymore. Even though tipping is a courtesy, the genuine practice of tipping should

be removed because the work force is already earning a wage for the service and not every

customer may be financially stable; Also, international tipping is seen as impolite and will not be

accepted at times.
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With the different perspectives on the topic of tipping, especially around the world, a

large number of the population decide to support the economy of the work because the

possibility of financial instability or to motivate the work force. Tipping is never a bad idea, yet

making it an obligation is what I do not agree with. From another perspective, I understand there

are two sides to the tipping situation. When a customer is not financially stable, it is also possible

that the work force is more financially unstable and is depending on the generosity of the

customer. Another reason tipping is not such a bad idea is that motivates the ones working to

work harder. If I was handed a bonus, I would want another one and would continue to harder.

In the work force, there is an average pay that they are receiving constantly. Although

many individuals think that they deserve additional pay after their consistent average wage, but

why when it is not necessary nor an obligation to fill their pockets up with money? When it

comes to getting a service, it always comes down to the famous plastic-cup shakedown and

people are instantly feeling obligation to sacrifice their hard-earned money to make others happy

(Lewis 20). The work force will expect a tip for the smallest service. After experiencing, Michael

Lewis questions, Who would tip someone a dollar or more for pouring them a cup of coffee?

(Lewis 19). Michael Lewis has a point when it comes to tipping. No matter how little the task, it

is expected to receive a tip when doing something small, such as a coffee as Michael Lewis

mentions. Anyone can make themselves a cup of coffee, but in the community people rather pay

and complain about tipping after because it comes off as an obligation. Again, Lewis explains, I

feel we are creeping slowly toward a kind of baksheesh economy in which everyone expects to

be showered with coins simply for doing what theyve already been paid to do (Lewis 21). I can

relate to Michael Lewis with having the same perspective on tipping. If they are already getting

paid, I do not see why I have to give up my money to someone who can do a simple task. The
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workers are always looking for extra income, yet sometimes they dont realize their jobs also

could be tipping. In an article by New York Daily News, Celebrity chef Mario Batali Ordered to

pay $5.25 million for skimming tips from his restaurant help written by Robert Gearty and Corky

Siemaszko, Chef Mario Batali decided to pay back his employees $5.25 million that he owed

them. Employees should never make the customers uncomfortable for under tipping when the

owner is also under tipping.

It is reasonable to say that some people who work may not be financially stable and

depend on the generosity of customers tips, yet customers are not always financially stable as

well. My freshman year of high school I was going through problems financially after my

parents got a divorce. After I saved enough money got a massage, I planned a day to go with my

friends. My friends and I were off to the nearest mall to get our massages. Once we got there, we

saw that the first ten minutes were free. While the first minute was free, the next ten minutes was

ten dollars. When it was over, as soon as I pulled out my wallet and handed the masseuse the

cash, the masseuse pointed at my cash and exclaimed, Tip? in a way where I felt obligated. I

stopped and thought to myself, why give her more than I am already paying her? I felt

uncomfortable when I walked away, yet I had no reason to because tipping is not an obligation.

As a college student like myself, paying to attend a university is not easy. With that being said,

there is multiple bills and large costs. From housing to a meal plan, who would have money to

give generous tips? According to Farran Powell, a reporter for U.S. News, The average 2016

grad holds $37,172 in student debt, according to calculations by student loan expert Mark

Kantrowitz (U.S. News). With the debt in mind, it makes sense for many of us college students

cannot leave a generous tip. College students struggle every single day to make it through the

four years with barely any money, and making us tip is already too much to ask for.
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In the United States, tipping has become more customary than an act of generosity. In

other countries around the world, tipping is seen as an act of impoliteness, which is a reason

tipping should be removed completely. As James Coden puts it, The crazy thing about America

is that you guys tip everyone. It is not like that in the U.K. (The Late Late Show with James

Coden). It is true, there is truth to everything he is saying, in America, tips go to everyone. James

Coden talks about how he tipped the hostess, the waiter, the barista, etc. while in the United

States. Tipping has gone too far with tipping that the United States has become a, Strip Club

with the amount of money each person gives in tips (The Late Late Show with James Coden).

From experience, I went on a trip to France and Spain. On this trip, I stopped in a small city of

Avignon, France. On the first night, my tour guide mentioned to not leave a tip. Why I was

feeling very skeptical, she explained how this specific restaurant gives their employees great

wages after raising the prices of the menu. Even though a meal might cost a little more, it defeats

the awkwardness of tipping and can live without the guilt of not giving enough. On this same

trip, I contacted my tour guide Sandra Velazquez, and I interviewed her about the concept of

international tipping. To start I asked her where she has traveled and she replied, I am originally

from Barcelona, Spain but I have traveled all over Europe and Asia and have not traveled to

Croatia or Belgium. I continued by asking in which location is tipping not customary? She

replied with, mostly countries in Asia such as South Korea and China and Japan. In Europe,

Denmark and parts in France do not accept tips because it is seen as rude. Maybe Belgium, but I

will have to email you after I go in 3 months. My next question was, in these locations you

have visited, what are your thoughts on the tipping situation since you are around a lot of places

where tipping is and is not customary? Sandra writes back, It varies on the location. In some

locations, it has to do with bags if checking into a hotel (a dollar a bag) and in restaurants, one
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has to only tip the waiter. It really depends on location and situation. If you remember our bus

driver Dani? We gave him a tip every location he left us. My last question was if Sandra was

pro tipping or against tipping and she said, I am not for nor against tipping. I love traveling the

world and getting to know the different countries and understanding their culture and customs. If

their customs are tipping, I tip and vice versa. If I had to choose it would be against tipping

because with traveling to every country comes a lot of expenses, and I need to save money to

even be able to eat at restaurant.

In conclusion, the work force works for a specific wage, which means they should not

expect a wage. They should also accept the fact that the customer is not always financially stable.

Also, that they should be thankful in the United States because it is impolite to tip

internationally. Overall, tipping is an act of generosity. In the real world, everyone expects a tip

when it is not an obligation. There should never be pressure to giving a trip because it is not an

obligation.
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Works Cited

Coden, James. "Tipping Is Out Of Control." YouTube. The Late Late with James Coden, 15 Oct.

2015. Web.

Gearty, Robert, and Corky Siemaszko. "Mario Batali Must Pay $5.25M for Skimming Tips." NY

Daily News. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, 07 Mar. 2012. Web.

Goldstein, Sasha. "Illinois Diner Patron Leaves Three Waitresses $5G Tip EACH." NY Daily

News. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, 04 Feb. 2014. Web.

Lewis, Michael. "The Capitalist; The Case Against Tipping." The New York Times. The New

York Times, 20 Sept. 1997. Web.

Powell, Farran. "10 Student Loan Facts College Grads Need to Know." 10 Student Loan Facts

College Grads Need to Know. US News & World Report, 9 May 2016. Web.

Velazques, Sandra. Personal Interview. 25 October 2017.