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Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

nytimes.com

1–10 of 209 posts

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#2
Maybe we should not have tips? There is no actual need or advantage to giving people tips, and there are plenty of countries where tipping is not common (including some where cash is still favored over electronic payments). Why not just pay people a fair wage that they can live on?

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#3
Its time to pay people a living wage, and stop the tipping culture. I hate carrying cash, and It bothers me that I have to carry $1 bills for the tipping extortion.

Im resentful that I have to pay for things as well as bribe the workers. Its disgusting.

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#4

Maybe we should not have tips? There is no actual need or advantage to giving people tips, and there are plenty of countries where tipping is not common (including some where cash is still favored over electronic payments). Why not just pay people a fair wage that they can live on?

Because that would cost the companies more and they're happy to get away with paying less. It's really not a mystery.

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#6

Maybe we should not have tips? There is no actual need or advantage to giving people tips, and there are plenty of countries where tipping is not common (including some where cash is still favored over electronic payments). Why not just pay people a fair wage that they can live on?

Because that would cost the companies more and they're happy to get away with paying less. It's really not a mystery.

I wish there was a list of Bay Area restaurants that don't require tipping. I discovered one last Friday and look forward to returning for the good food, service, and fair wages.

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#7
I've had this problem from the other side. I haven't been to the bank to withdraw cash in years. Usually I got all the cash I needed by splitting bills with friends, where I paid on the card and got cash, or Chinese New Year money.

But since having kids (and the invention of Venmo and its ilk), we've stopped going out with friends and splitting checks and when we do it's all digital, and now I have to give the New Year money instead of get it.

We have a house cleaner every couple of weeks that I like to tip, and lately it's been a struggle to find cash lying around for the tip. Also when I get a haircut they give a big discount for cash, and that's been a struggle too. Like the girl in the article, I just forget to go to the cash machine, it's not a priority until the time comes.

I may have to visit the ATM for the first time in a few years this holiday season to give holiday tips.

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#9
A lot of these jobs that they're bemoaning the loss of tips for, also aren't all that necessary. If establishments want to give off the impression they're upper class, they ought to pay these "professions" considerably more considering they obviously have the money. Otherwise, opening doors and operating elevators are things I'm content to do on my own.

Re: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

#10
post #5

I've noticed a big drop in panhandlers in cities, recently. Nobody even has cash any more. I wonder what they've been doing instead?

I hope it's because services for them have picked up, funded by both public money and private (digital) donations.

But I suspect the real answer is something closer to "starving and dying". :(

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