In the United States, there are no numbers more famous than 10, 15, and 20. These are not random numbers, but the tip percentages that always appear on the displays of bars and restaurants in the States. Anyone who lives or that has been here knows it well: for Americans, tipping waiters is a very serious matter, even though Europeans struggle to understand it. In recent days, characterized by the liveliness of the World Cup, these opposing ways of life have clashed: on one hand, a sea of fans from all over the world who don't want to – or don't know they have to – leave a tip, on the other, the made-in-USA tradition according to which leaving one is (almost) mandatory. To curb this problem, as reported by the New York Post, establishments in several cities have started automatically adding a 20% tip to the bill.
Why is Tipping Mandatory Here in The U.S.?
"Why do we always have to add 10, 15, or 20 percent to the bill?" tourists in the United States have often asked themselves. The answer is simple: because waiters and waitresses are paid less here, so a significant portion of their income comes from those tips. So leaving nothing "on top" of the price listed on the receipt, or a paltry 5 percent, shows that you had a terrible experience. "Many customers ask for explanations when they receive the bill because they don't know how the tipping system works in the United States," McCarthy's employees explained to the New York Post. The staff also reported serving particularly large meals, with final prices touching four figures, but, despite this, the tips received almost never turned out to be commensurate with the standards they are accustomed to.
To give you an idea, with an $800 bill, the amount to be paid would have been $960, leaving a 20% surcharge. Therefore, to make up for this lost revenue, in cities like New York City, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, many establishments have automatically added a 20% surcharge to protect their employees and, at the same time, avoid misunderstandings with tourists from other countries, where the service charge is already included in the final price.
World Cup and New York Knicks, Delirium on The East Coast
Geographically separated by the Hudson River, New York City and the state of New Jersey are teeming with tourists but also with football fans, especially during this time of year. Excitement for the twenty-third edition of the World Cup is sky-high, both due to the impressive results being achieved by the American team and the festive atmosphere felt every day in the city streets, enlivened by groups of fans from all over the world (this year, in fact, many more teams are participating than in previous editions).
Added to this is the fervor generated by the New York Knicks‘ NBA victory, which had not been crowned champion in over fifty years. Basketball is one of the sports that most unites and excites Americans, and even the celebrations for the title victory against the San Antonio Spurs were not overlooked.
This sports movement is bringing huge revenue to East Coast venues. In fact, as Anne Calimano, co-owner of Hurley's Saloon, explains, "Between the World Cup and the Knicks hype, you can't walk inside the place," emphasizing the continued influx of tourists. Furthermore, 1.2 million fans are expected in the metropolitan area of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from today until July 19, when the stadium will host the finals. Restaurant revenues are already skyrocketing despite the tipping problem, and revenue looks set to soar further.
While many industry professionals complain that most fans are reluctant to leave adequate tips, just as many are seeing the positive side of this period: the engaging atmosphere, the festive atmosphere, the packed venues—in short, businesses are experiencing particularly busy weeks. Finally, as some bartenders suggest, there should also be more understanding towards consumers, considering how much it costs to follow the World Cup, including ticket prices, accommodation, and the exorbitant parking near the stadiums.
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