The Genesis and Evolution of Tipping in the United States
Tipping has been a longstanding practice in the hospitality industry, dating back to the late 19th century. What began as a necessity for black workers to survive in the post-Civil War era and evolved into a cultural expectation has had a complex history.
Post-Civil War Tipping Practices
After the American Civil War, tipping became widespread in the U.S. hospitality industry as employers exploited newly freed black workers. These individuals were paid little or nothing and their survival relied on generous tips from customers. This practice served as a means to continue the legacy of slavery and racism, utilizing the freed slaves as cheap labor, dependent on tips for their livelihood.
A notable example is the Pullman Company, which hired black men as porters and servers on luxury trains. These workers, who formed the first black labor union in the U.S., the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, were only paid tips. This practice not only reinforced racial discrimination but also perpetuated a culture of dependency on customer gratuities. The ingrained tradition of tipping endured despite anti-tipping movements, which were active in the early 20th century and argued that tipping was demeaning, unfair, and inefficient. Despite efforts to ban tipping in some states, such laws were often repealed or widely ignored. Restaurant owners successfully lobbied to maintain the practice, partly due to the surge in customer spending during the Prohibition era, which discouraged drinking in bars and pushed patrons to visit restaurants where tipping was a key element of service.
The Role of European Influence
Michael Lynn, a professor at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, suggests that tipping in the U.S. began just after the American Civil War in the late 1800s. According to Lynn, wealthy Americans who traveled abroad to Europe witnessed the custom of tipping, particularly in taverns. They returned home with this custom, "showing off" or proving their elevated education and class by embracing it. The custom may have originated even earlier in 17th Century England, where patrons would slip money to servants to insure promptitude or T.I.P. for short.
However, not everyone in the U.S. embraced this practice. There was resistance to tipping as it spread into American taverns and dining halls. The practice seemed to stem from a desire to maintain a sense of distance between the customer and the service staff, thereby highlighting one's status and sophistication. This cultural tension between embracing the customs of the European elite and maintaining social and economic inequalities continued for decades, influencing the evolution of tipping practices in the U.S.
Conclusion
The history of tipping in the United States is a mirror of societal and economic shifts. From the exploitation of black workers to the resistance of anti-tipping movements, and the European influence, tipping has been a complex and contentious issue. Understanding its evolution not only sheds light on the roots of the hospitality industry but also reveals the intricate dynamics of race, class, and social status in American culture.