PDT 2/2 : Why has tipping increased?

[Dale Dough]

Are people in the US in general better off financially than before?

As far as I can tell, there seems to be a correlation between the standards of living of a country and the amount people expect you to pay vs. what they quote you. The richer the people, the more generosity is implicitly required of them. You are expected to be a gentleman about this - and if you really can't afford it you can just pay the stated price. Poorer people are expected to haggle, so they are quoted higher prices initially. And if you're rich (tourist) you just pay the higher price without bitching.

Just a guess.