Hello Hello,
The universe is definitely conspiring to ensure I learn about the history of tipping in America! The history of tipping has come up in two different podcasts this week, and I’m just baffled that I had no idea about the origin of this ubiquitous practice! Did you know that tipping originated as a way to justify not paying freed black people a wage for their work despite the end of slavery? What?! Did you know there was an anti-tipping movement akin to the temperance movement, and that between 1909 – 1915, six states had anti-tipping laws?! I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would about the National Restaurant Associated (lovingly referred to as “the other NRA”), the Pullman Car Company, and the present day struggle to pay restaurant employees a livable wage. (Is this taught in schools? Did I miss this day in history class?)
For a much more comprehensive overview of tipping – check out this episode of Throughline The Anti-Tipping Movement : Throughline : NPR
This topic was also covered on this week’s episode of the podcast Reparations: The Big Payback Episode Five: American Freakshow! Inside America’s Racist Corporate And Educational Institutions (reparationsbigpayback.com)
I can’t help but think about how the industry has changed so much since 1915… hello DoorDash and GrubHub and Instacart (should I continue?). There are new service jobs popping up thanks to the advancements in technology that continue to perpetuate the reliance of the employees on the generosity of the the American public. I will admit, I’m a super user of these services (#toomanykids #tiredmom #sendwine), but I feel torn. By using these services/restaurants, I guess I am complicit in the business model that keeps employee wages low and employer profits inflated. But by not using these services, these jobs wouldn’t be available to those who want/need them. So I offer two solutions – until the federal/state minimum wages are revised to include restaurant workers (40% of which are people of color), tip generously! And second, think about voting for officials who are pushing for a livable wage.
Be Well,
#blacklivesmatter #courageousconversations #powertoprivilege
-Jessica