Advertisement

Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Friday, June 06, 2025

Tip screens are everywhere now, and many consumers are fed up.

More

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

More from the article ...

... According to a new Bankrate survey, 41% of Americans say tipping culture has gotten out of control -- up six percentage points from last year. Among Gen Xers and baby boomers, that share rises to 45%.

"The high cost of living is a headwind, and many people resent all of the tip creep that has occurred in recent years," Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman said in a statement.

Pre-entered tip screens have become a particular pain point, with nearly two in five respondents saying they find them annoying. That negativity coincides with a rise in digital tipping tech, now appearing everywhere from takeout counters to coffee shops -- even self-checkout machines at the airport are asking for tips.

New payment terminals have made it easier than ever for businesses to ask for tips -- a potential boost for workers -- but they also allow employers to funnel more money to their staff without footing the bill, Rossman said.

"It's essentially a way to raise prices without actually raising prices," he said. ...


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-05 12:42 AM | Reply

OK, back a couple decades ago, I used to visit Europe (specifically, The Netherlands) for business.

Obviously, I had to dine in restaurants.

One thing I noticed was that when the credit card bill was given to me to sign, there was no line for a tip. I asked the waiter about that and he asked me if I would want a receipt to sign with a tip line.

OK, then I will say, an ~off the record discussion~ ensued with the waiter as I tried to understand what had just occurred.

Long story short ...

In The Netherlands, the ~deal~ seems to be, pay the wait people a living wage so that they do not have to rely on tips to survive.

The wait people get paid a good wage regardless of tips.

So what does that seem to promote?

As I observed with the local company employees who wined and dined me, when we went to a restaurant for dinner, it was not just a dinner. It was a most enjoyable evening. Sitting and talking, and the wait person was not anxious to turn over the table to get more tips.

Such a great experience. I still remember it a couple decades later.


And, for the record, The Netherlands was an amazing place for me to visit, even on business. I went out into the countryside, and met great people.



#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-05 12:56 AM | Reply

I only tip at restaurants where I dine, and Pizza delivery girl - that's all. Also give cash 'thank you's' for mail delivery person and the trash pickup guys at Christmas time.

#3 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-06-05 02:23 PM | Reply

It was a most enjoyable evening. Sitting and talking, and the wait person was not anxious to turn over the table to get more tips.

I was stationed in Belgium and we we used to go to the Netherlands to eat sometimes. Meals like that were very expensive too, as they had to make up the time somewhere. Take two or three hours at a table and the meal is going to cost, as they probably could have had 3 sets of diners at that same table in the time frame.

#4 | Posted by boaz at 2025-06-05 03:14 PM | Reply

In general, the service outside of high end restaurants and hotels is pretty ---- in Europe. That said, the less Americans eat out and continue to get fatter and fatter, the better. It is way healthier to cook at home, and if you have a family, meals together inside the house actually bring the family together. So much of what we do today is outsourcing the raising of kids to 3rd parties. That includes moms that don't cook dinner, kids that don't cut the lawn, and dad's too useless to do normal house repairs. The higher costs go, the more people revert back to doing things themselves - so, Biden's out of control inflation may have that long-term benefit.

#5 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-05 08:20 PM | Reply

ScottS, always eager to apply lipstick to everything that pig, Trump, does.

#6 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-05 08:39 PM | Reply

"#6 | Posted by ClownShack"

I never mentioned Trump in this discussion. Perhaps your housing would be more affordable if you didn't allow Trump and I to live rent free in your head.

#7 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-05 08:48 PM | Reply

Trump's dreadful economy will crush Americans buying power, forcing more people into poverty and making do with less.

Yet you present that as a bonus.

#8 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-05 08:55 PM | Reply

" when we went to a restaurant for dinner, it was not just a dinner. It was a most enjoyable evening. Sitting and talking, and the wait person was not anxious to turn over the table to get more tips."

Agreed. We realized it wasn't the usual rush through dinner to get to the movie or the event, the dinner was the event. I was also envious of being able to juke from a cheese shop to a wine shop to a bakery to a bodega to get dinner.

And every time I return I fall right back into the old habits.

#9 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-05 09:30 PM | Reply

Looks like "travel in Europe" is one more thing Ol' Squats has never done. Like "kissed a girl".

#10 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-05 10:06 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"Trump's dreadful economy will crush Americans buying power, forcing more people into poverty and making do with less.
#8 | Posted by ClownShack"

Under Joe Biden - real wages (wage increase - inflation) were NEGATIVE -------. Biden made your life unaffordable. Thus far under Trump - REAL WAGES ARE INCREASING. Of course, you don't want to talk about the actual data, you want to project out some doom and gloom because the Democrats are incapable of debating with actual facts.

#11 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-05 10:24 PM | Reply | Funny: 2

"I was also envious of being able to juke from a cheese shop to a wine shop to a bakery to a bodega to get dinner.
#9 | Posted by Danforth"

I assume by this you mean dumpster diving at 2AM.

#12 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-05 10:26 PM | Reply

Under Joe Biden - real wages (wage increase - inflation) were NEGATIVE -------. Biden made your life unaffordable. Thus far under Trump - REAL WAGES ARE INCREASING.
#11 | POSTED BY SCOTTS

Source, "Trust me, bro!"

In reality. Trump has caused nothing but inflation and unemployment.

Trump's first term in office crippled this nation. His second term will kill it.

#13 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-05 10:39 PM | Reply

Source, "Trust me, bro Grok!"

#14 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-06-05 10:43 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"I assume by this you mean dumpster diving at 2AM."

Tell me you've never been to Paris or Florence without using those specific words.

#15 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-06 12:32 AM | Reply

"Source, "Trust me, bro!"
#13 | Posted by ClownShack"

Source is the BLS ------- - they publish monthly.

Total inflation under Biden was 20.8%.
Total wage growth was 19.6%

You -------s got poorer by 1.2% under that broken brain pedophile - that is all that he could muster in 4 years.

Meanwhile, under Trump in 5 months, real wages outpaced inflation by 1% - so, you -------s got richer even if you didn't realize it yet.

#16 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 01:30 AM | Reply

"Tell me you've never been to Paris or Florence without using those specific words.
#15 | Posted by Danforth"

Both cities are overrated ---------. I will literally take any city in Spain - including Madrid - over either of them. Paris was wonderful 20 years ago. Now? Trash - human and otherwise. Same goes for Florence although to a slightly lesser degree.

#17 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 01:31 AM | Reply

" Both cities are overrated ---------."

Forgive me. I should've said Sienna and St-Remy.

My point was the charm and ability to pick up a stunning dinner by visiting a half-dozen specialty shops on the two-block walk home.

#18 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-06 02:32 AM | Reply

"#18 | Posted by Danforth"

Other than the bread, French food is pretty trash. Maybe 100 years ago it was super special because Americans didn't use many spices so the French sauces stood out. Now? Pretty trash level which is why so few French restaurants are actually still in business. Also, their cheese sucks and their wine is a step above the low quality Italian crap.

Italy - and Tuscany in particular - is very similar. 95% of the meals are flavorless steaks and/or cheese and cold cuts. The pizza is decent but they don't actually use toppings so you basically get bland sauce, a bit of cheese, and a lot of dough. Other than nostalgia, pretty much every US city with over 100K people will have an Italian restaurant on par with Italy. Hell, in a truly blind tasting - I suspect Olive Garden would hold its own. Now, American style pizza is different - but for the places trying to copy Italy, it is pretty damn close. I just wouldn't choose to eat that style on a weekly basis because I find it boring.

As I have said - Europe is like a theme park for middle class Americans. If you actually have money and travel, you will go try the food in Japan, Korea, or Turkey. That is on a different level to what they serve in the US.

#19 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 02:58 AM | Reply

You've never been out of your mom's basement, Jeff. Go ---- yourself.

#20 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-06 02:50 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Other than the bread, French food is pretty trash."

I stopped there.

Anyone who doesn't enjoy French cheese has no palate. And coursed dinners with pairings will show California wines outpacing French wines in the early courses, but the French killing it with the main courses when depth is paramount.

#21 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-06 03:13 PM | Reply


In The Netherlands, the ~deal~ seems to be, pay the wait people a living wage so that they do not have to rely on tips to survive.
The wait people get paid a good wage regardless of tips.

The cost of living is higher in the Netherlands.
Restaurants are 10% more expensive for the equivalent meal.

Not saying it all evens out but when you include rent in the CoL they are close to being equal.


If you actually have money and travel, you will go try the food in Japan, Korea, or Turkey. That is on a different level to what they serve in the US.
#19 | POSTED BY SCOTTS

There is a implicit bias in this statement "have money" and goto anywhere, it will be a different level than they serve in the US.

For instance, going to Napa is going to be a different level than East San Jose.

#22 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-06-06 03:58 PM | Reply

Other than the bread, French food is pretty trash.

I had a great "Coq au vin" in Paris, spectacular could not find anything close in the States. But I also had Andouillette, and it tasted like ass.
In Japan I have had some ---- curry, but wonderful Sushi.
Strange for me is that India has ---- Indian food, had to goto London where I finally had good Indian food.

SF has good Sichuan, but not great. Hard to find a restaurant in US that uses the Sichuan peppercorn.

#23 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-06-06 04:07 PM | Reply

"I stopped there."

Truth was too much to handle? French food is mid-sauces and mid-ingredients trying to look expensive through presentation. There is a reason why it popularity is cratering world wide - including in France itself.

"And coursed dinners with pairings will show California wines outpacing French wines in the early courses, but the French killing it with the main courses when depth is paramount.
#21 | Posted by Danforth"

Because French wines are dull/flavorless due to low alcohol content. It is the same reason why Bud Light would pair better over an 8 course steak dinner vs. an IPA if the Americans ever tried to be as ridiculous as the French.

#24 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 07:34 PM | Reply

@#21 ... Anyone who doesn't enjoy French cheese has no palate. ...

Yeah, French cheese is a taste spectacular.

French cuisine is also a worthwhile exploration.

But, after eating around locally (and thank you to the national diversity of the population and the subsequent restaurants in my area), I still fall back to appreciating a good American hamburger sitting on a brioche bun. Oops, that brioche bun, that's French ...



#25 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-06 07:50 PM | Reply

Other than some of the disgusting soft cheeses from France, you can get all of those same cheeses in any decent sized US city. Not only that, you can also get the Italian cheeses, Dutch Cheeses, English Cheddars and the awesome US made cheeses on top of that HERE IN THE US.

If you want to go to France for a family history tour - by all means go. But don't pretend it is something it is not. And if you are dazzled by the presentation/plating of the French meals - save your money and go to Benihana so your food comes with a show.

#26 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 08:16 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"save your money and go to Benihana so your food comes with a show."

I prefer Morimoto: much better food, and still an amazing show, without having to throw a single knife.

#27 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-06 08:24 PM | Reply

"Other than some of the disgusting soft cheeses from France, you can get all of those same cheeses in any decent sized US city"

Those are all made with pasteurized milk. In France, some of the cheeses are unpasteurized, leading to richer flavors..

#28 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-06-06 08:26 PM | Reply

SnottyS sounds like a fan of Freedom Fries.

#29 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-06-06 08:27 PM | Reply

"SnottyS sounds like a fan of Freedom Fries.
#29 | Posted by REDIAL"

Freedom Fries sans Canadian dog barf aka poutine. I like my fries natural and prefer In-N-Out.

Reminds me of a joke about Mexico North.

You could have had the best of the whole world: British culture, French Food, and American technology. Instead, you chose British Food, American Culture, and French technology.

#30 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 08:40 PM | Reply

You could have had the best of the whole world: British culture, French Food, and American technology.

So now you say French Food is the best in the world? Your Grok is slipping.

#31 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-06-06 08:46 PM | Reply

"In France, some of the cheeses are unpasteurized, leading to richer flavors..
#28 | Posted by Danforth"

So, you are MLGA now? Make listeria great again.

This is only done for fresh cheeses really. Most cheeses will undergo heating during the cheese-making process and the heating does the same impact as pasteurizing as pasteurizing is a combination of heat level and time held at the heat. I can get behind hating HTST pasteurization as it leaves the milk tasting 'scorched' in my opinion - but I would not eat a fresh cheese made with raw milk unless I personally owned and milked the cow (or an Amish guy did).

#32 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 08:48 PM | Reply

"#31 | Posted by REDIAL"

As I said - it is meant as a joke. I also don't think British culture is superior. I would take just about any Asian culture that values family education and togetherness over British culture which is every bit as class based as the Indian system is caste based.

In fact, the best culture in the world is probably the US Midwest culture - which is separate and distinct from the trash Northeast culture (which is -----------) or the West Coast (half pagan). In fact, if people do an introspection, they will find most of their really good friends are Midwest transplants or 1st generation East/West coast carrying on their family raising them in the Midwest style.

#33 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 08:54 PM | Reply

best culture in the world is probably the US Midwest culture

Try not to get too much fryer grease on your MAGA hat.

#34 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-06-06 08:58 PM | Reply

"#34 | Posted by REDIAL"

It is not MAGA country. Wisconsin (outside of Milwaukee), Illinois (outside of Chicago), Minnesota, Iowa leans right but it is pretty center really. The left voters, in my opinion, do so because they have always voted Democrat but their values more or less align with MAGA.

#35 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 09:04 PM | Reply

Other than some of the disgusting soft cheeses from France, you can get all of those same cheeses in any decent sized US city. Not only that, you can also get the Italian cheeses, Dutch Cheeses, English Cheddars and the awesome US made cheeses on top of that HERE IN THE US.
#26 | Posted by ScottS

I guess that's why you support the Trump Tariffs and you love decent-sized US cities and their multicultural inhabitants.

#36 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-06 09:06 PM | Reply

"I guess that's why you support the Trump Tariffs and you love decent-sized US cities and their multicultural inhabitants.
#36 | Posted by snoofy"

You lefties cannot praise the nordic countries enough - where do you think that is most reflective of the population in the US?

I like having the availability of decent sized cities but do not like deep blue -------- 'mega-cities'. Also, I have no problem with multiculturalism or being proud of your roots. But, if you are in America, you are an AMERICAN first. If you have strong allegiance to a country you just arrived from - then go back there.

Also, it is 100% true that not all cultures are the same or should be encouraged to spread the same. The Indian culture is not good for America. Same goes with the black-American culture (separate from black-Caribbean or African culture). The Hispanic culture is good for keeping families together - but their typical disregard of education is destructive. I could go on and on - but the best culture for producing quality societies is that of the Nordics. Unfortunately, they were not blessed with best geography - but that is the only thing holding back the unwashed masses from mass-migrating and destroying the areas.

#37 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-06-06 11:56 PM | Reply

NRBQ - Fergie's Prayer (1969)
www.youtube.com

Wow, I did not realize just how obscure this fav song of mine was.

No lyrics seem to be available ...

Wow.


#38 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-07 01:10 AM | Reply

ScatS seems lonely.

#39 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2025-06-07 10:05 AM | Reply

I always tip in cash. From my hand to the waiter's hand or the communal tip jar in counter service places. The "percentage calculators" make me feel that the company is making me pay them a fair wage when that responsibility is on them.

I am giving someone a tip for services above and beyond.

#40 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-06-07 10:21 AM | Reply

"Tipping culture"

Jesus wept.

Tip what th' fug you want and shut th' hell up.

There's more important fugging things to worry about.

#41 | Posted by Angrydad at 2025-06-07 10:59 AM | Reply

The following HTML tags are allowed in comments: a href, b, i, p, br, ul, ol, li and blockquote. Others will be stripped out. Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

Anyone can join this site and make comments. To post this comment, you must sign it with your Drudge Retort username. If you can't remember your username or password, use the lost password form to request it.
Username:
Password:

Home | Breaking News | Comments | User Blogs | Stats | Back Page | RSS Feed | RSS Spec | DMCA Compliance | Privacy

Drudge Retort