Something You Should Know Has Tipping Gone Too Far? & Why You Don’t Do What You Want
15 snips
Apr 16, 2026 
Dr. George James, licensed therapist who helps people take emotional risks; Michael Lynn, Cornell professor and tipping researcher. They dig into why tipping norms keep changing and what drives how much people tip. They also explore why we block ourselves from risks, how stories shape limits, and simple steps to give yourself permission to act.
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Decide Your Tipping Reasons
- You get to decide when and whom to tip based on your motivations like gratitude or fairness.
- Michael Lynn suggests tipping to compensate low wages or to thank exceptional service, but it's a personal choice.
Why Restaurant Tip Percentages Rose
- Average restaurant tips rose from ~15% to about 18–19%, influenced by more credit-card payments and urbanization.
- Michael Lynn offers an unproven idea that people tip above average to gain perceived social status from servers.
Know Where Your Tip Usually Goes
- Expect most of a tipped server's gratuity to stay with them; tip pooling generally excludes cooks and management unless wages differ.
- Michael Lynn explains federal rules let servers share tips with bartenders and bussers but typically not kitchen staff.
