In recent years, the act of tipping has expanded beyond its traditional boundaries and found its way into unexpected corners of the service industry. A TikToker named Ina Josipović recently shared her bewildering experience of being asked for a tip after buying a wedding dress, sparking a broader conversation about the evolving landscape of tipping practices.
Josipović recounted her visit to a bridal store in a TikTok video. After finding the perfect wedding dress and preparing to pay, she was taken aback when the employees turned the iPad around, expecting a tip. “I stood there, and I think they saw the blood leave my body. I did not expect to have to tip when buying a wedding dress,” she said.
The store was nearly empty, with only Josipović, her friend, and three staff members present. This made her question the need for a tip in such a context. The unexpected request left her wondering if she should add a tip to an already expensive wedding dress. Josipović asked her friend, who had bought a wedding dress at a different store the year before, if she tipped. Her friend replied, “No” and also mentioned that she was not asked to tip.
Standing there, trying to calculate the additional cost, Josipović realized that a 10% tip on a $1,500 or $2,000 dress would be another $200. She questioned the fairness of this, especially for those who cannot afford such a high additional expense. Feeling embarrassed, she contemplated giving a smaller tip, even though it would be around 1.5% of the dress’s cost.
Josipović then proposed an alternative: instead of asking customers to tip, why not give the stylist a commission based on their sales? She mentioned her own experience working in retail and selling clothes without receiving tips. Tipping culture has become peculiar lately, and she found it strange to be asked for a tip in a retail store.
Josipović’s experience has sparked a larger discussion about tipping culture, which varies across the world. While tipping is generally considered a reward for exceptional service, in the USA, it is seen as essential for compensating low-wage workers.
Viewers of the TikTok video resonated with Josipović’s story and shared their own opinions on the expanding reach of tipping expectations. It seems that tipping has become the norm in America and has infiltrated industries where it was traditionally absent. Some argue that tipping should be reserved for services where workers have low wages and need additional compensation. However, the growing trend of tipping in places where it is not required raises questions about the appropriateness of such practices and the potential financial burden on customers.
What are your thoughts on this tipping dilemma? Let us know in the comments!
