Opinion

America’s tipping culture has gone from rewarding service to fee insanity

Tip screens at coffee counters and cruise ship appreciation charges prove demands are out of control

By Carol Roth Fox News

Published July 27, 2026 5:00am EDT

Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for July 23

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

I love old-school tipping; that is, letting a service provider know that you appreciate their outstanding service, whatever the realm may be, with a generous gratuity. It’s a great way for individuals to reward service providers who work hard and to signal your personal appreciation of the effort they have put in to your interaction.

However, tipping has morphed from a signal of good work to something that resembles a socialist experiment or the dreaded school group project: everyone expects the same outcome, regardless of their effort or the service they deliver.

When you order a cup of coffee at a counter today, they often present a screen asking you to include a tip. If tipping were acting as a price........

© Fox News