Business Commons^™

Should Tipping In American Restaurants Be Eliminated?, Jessica Piccolo

Outstanding Student Scholarship

Tipping in American restaurants has become a social norm deep-rooted into society since the 19^th century. Optional gratuity is a muti-faceted standard which is not always met due to a variety of factors. To understand how tipping functions in the United States, a comprehensive study of the origination of this practice, the components which contribute to a tip, and alternatives to the current system need to be explored. The findings discussed in this review provide insight into tipping and provide a stepping stone towards more research on alternatives.