“Tipflation” on the rise (includes video story)

In America, the suggested gratuity is consistently increasing on receipts and payment terminals. In addition to the requested percentages being significantly greater, shoppers have reported seeing an increase in the number of “tip” requests in increasingly unusual locations. Tipflation is the term used to describe the phenomenon.

In contrast to the old standard tipping range of 10% to 15% for restaurants, North Americans (as well as tourists) are now frequently asked for 20% to 30%. Instead of consumers having to leave big tips, many believe it’s something deeper than that: companies should pay workers more.

Dipayan Biswas, a Marketing and Business Professor at University of South Florida, and Thomas P. Farley, etiquette expert, have some suggestions on when and who to tip—especially now with an increase of holiday shopping.

Alexa Velez is a senior at FIU majoring in broadcast media with a concentration in English. She has written for PantherNOW and Caplin News and is a recipient of the NBCU Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship. She completed her first internship on a national radio station, SLAM! Radio on Sirius XM 145, during the summer. She aims to network with others within the field and continue gaining experience in an effort to grow professionally and perfect her craft as a journalist.