Tipping: An American Social History of Gratuities Cover
Podcast Mentions

Tipping An American Social History of Gratuities

Kerry Segrave

Though the history of tipping can be traced to the Middle Ages, the practice did not become widespread until the late 19th century. Initially, Americans reviled the custom, branding it un-American and undemocratic. The opposition gradually faded and tipping became an American institution. From its b...

Podcasts 1
Quotes 4
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

It was mentioned as a book that discussed the history of tipping in America, and how it was seen as deeply un-American in the new republic.

"

In 1915, it really came to a head, this fight against tips, when there were three states, Iowa, South Carolina, and Tennessee, who all passed anti-tipping laws.

— Episode: Tipping: A Conspiracy Afoot?

Episode: Tipping: A Conspiracy Afoot?

It was mentioned as a book that discussed the history of tipping in America, and how it was seen as deeply un-American in the new republic.

"

In 1915, it really came to a head, this fight against tips, when there were three states, Iowa, South Carolina, and Tennessee, who all passed anti-tipping laws.

And just three years later, there's a trade journal called The Mixer and Server. It's for restaurant and hotel employees. And there's a guy named T.O. Smith who says, you can't accuse waiters of having a quote, itching palm. The truth is the waiter did not create the system. They are the victim of the system.

And it mentions in this book, some other anti-tipping folks who all happen to be millionaires. You got your John D. Rockefellers and Andrew Carnegie's, who, you know, we know about these guys from their history. They didn't get rich by being generous. They got rich by holding it tight in their fists.

Tippied has faded away in many parts of Europe because they said, why don't we just add a service charge? Customers aren't obliged to tip. Why don't we pay the people who live in our country a wage that allows them to live in our country?

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.