http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/gouging Questions tagged with 'gouging' at Ask MetaFilter. Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:46:09 -0800 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:46:09 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/40596/I%2Ddont%2Dget%2Dit I was recently in London, and was really happy to be paying only 12% in tips. And then I began to wonder... Why do tipping rates keep rising? My customary is 20% here in the states. And that's because I used to be a waitress. But, then I thought, why do we need to tip more than 10%? Why has it risen? The price of food has risen according to all other goods and services and the rate of inflation. I mean, a good meal for 6 bucks at a sit down restaurant in 1970 is virtually non-existent. Even some fast food restaurants are hard to get out of for less than $6 a person. So, shouldn't it always be 10%? The increase in the income from a tip comes from the increase in the price of the meal. The more I thought about this, the angrier I got, because when does it stop? Will we be paying 30%, 40%, 50% in tips? This seems ridiculous and greedy to me. I mean, I've had an agent for 15 years and he still only takes 10%. My income has risen, and so, his 10% nets him more income as well. It seems like we have just accepted this continual rise in the percentage a tip should be and I'm wondering why? Am I missing something here? tag:ask.metafilter.com,2006:site.40596 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:46:09 -0800 gouging percent tipping tips joaniemcchicken