Tipflation: Michiganders ‘Pressured’ to Tip $500 More Per Year

Let me start by saying that I worked as a server in a restaurant for several years, and I even asked my kids to work in the service industry so they could get experience working for tips. That said, Michigan's tipping culture has gotten way out of control to the point where we are spending an additional $500 in gratuity a year (referred to as Tipflation). Tip jars and credit card tip prompts have reached the point where people feel pressured to tip instead of tipping someone who did an excellent job serving them for less than minimum wage.

Related: Michigan's Gratuity Guide: Who, When, Where and How Much to Tip

Those who worked for tipped wages in Michigan deserve every single cent earned while hustling for their clientele. Notice that I said, "...those who work for tipped wages." There's a huge difference between tipping someone making less than a minimum wage, like a server in a restaurant and tipping someone making a traditional hourly wage, like the baristas at most coffee shops.

Knowing the Difference Between 'Tipped Wage' and Traditional 'Hourly Wage'

As a rule of thumb, if there is a tip jar on the counter, chances are the employees working there don't work for tips and are earning Michigan's minimum wage ($10.33 per hour) or more. Tipped employees in the state earn just $3.93 per hour. So, how can you tell the difference?

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As a rule, if there is counter service, as seen in most coffee and sandwich shops, those working earn minimum wage or more. If your food is being delivered to a table or to your home, chances are those folks are working for tips. So, not tipping someone who works behind a counter isn't a break in etiquette. In fact, I'd argue that businesses that allow traditional-waged employees to put a tip jar on the counter violate tipping etiquette.

Overcoming Tipping Guilt in Michigan

Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe that someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty deserves a little something extra, but that shouldn't mean that your daily coffee needs to cost an additional $1 or $2. Special occasions call for special gifts but don't feel guilty for not putting in a couple of bucks every single time. Again, that counter-service employee makes a fair wage without your tip.

Related: Michigan Workers Burned Out: New Survey Reveals Startling Stress

According to Bankrate, tipping culture has become so out of control that 66% of Americans have a negative view of gratuity and think that if employees want to make more, their employers should incur the additional cost, not their loyal customers.