Is tipping getting out of control? Many consumers say yes

I'm a consumer who agrees that tipping is out of control and here is a perfect example. This barista expects to be tipped. I empathize with that and understand why from their perspective.

However, let's look at it from the customer's perspective.

I go in, place an order and pay all well in advance of any kind of "service", in fact, I'm just as likely to have done that all without interacting with any employee. Now I'm presented with a menu of tip options... What am I tipping for? Did the barista get my order correct? Was it processed in a timely manner? Who knows as they have not even seen the ticket yet.

As a customer I am being explicitly asked to tip for service that I am unable to evaluate. The business has decided to try to make me directly responsible for their payroll and allowed them to dodge paying their employees and their taxes responsibly.

"Tipping is about making sure the people who are performing that service for you are getting paid what they’re owed"

No, that is what your employer is responsible for. Tipping is about recognizing the extra appreciation a customer has for a job well done.

When a tip becomes expected then it is no longer a tip and employers need to step up and pay people properly. I'm not going to tip and hope I get proper service. On the other hand, I would be happy to tip for service I wanted and appreciated.