PDT 2/2 : Why has tipping increased?

[Dids]

Another point limon hits on kinda:

I've been eating lunch in the same area for nearly 10 years. Leaving a larger than normal tip is also part of hoping I get better/equal service next time. Also, by doing that, I feel like it makes those times I tip less for a reason speak louder.

[PITTM]

Guys,

I think what you need to realize here is el d is asking why tipping has increased, not IF tipping has increased. To me it is incredibly clear that is has. Places I used to go that autogratted 15 now autograt 18, etc. Why and not the IF imo.

[miajag]

This is mostly just speculation, but I feel like there are a lot more restaurants these days than in the past, even as recently as the '80s and early '90s, when I was a kid. Big national chains like Fridays, Chili's, etc. are everywhere now. Not sure whether these are choking out local places and keeping the overall restaurant/population ratio the same, but if that ratio is indeed increasing, there is likely also a higher percentage of people who worked in a restaurant waiting/bussing tables as a job in high school/college. These people are, in my experience at least, more likely to tip more, so if there's a higher percentage of ex- and current restaurant workers eating at restaurants, that might at least partially explain the rise in average tip. Again, just a theory of mine, but I think it makes sense.

[AdamBragar]

The people who really get the shaft are bartenders who have not really seen a tip increase over the years, as many people still consider the normal tip for a drink to be 1 dollar. Prices rise for drinks, but people don't usually calculate percentages when paying by cash. Tips for drinks aren't going to gradually increase, as people aren't going to start giving a $1.25 drink for a tip, and the next logical jump will be an accepted $2 per drink tip for cash purchases.

[El Diablo]

Adam,

Bartenders definitely don't get the shaft.

1) $1/drink is often greater than 20% for cheaper drinks like beer.

2) People at high-end bars often tip more than $1 per drink for top-shelf cocktails.

3) People often tip 15-20% when paying by credit card, which often ends up being more than $1/drink.