Did tipping start as some kind of noblesse oblige?
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Date: June 5th, 2025 1:10 AM Author: Marvelous crackhouse alpha
Tipping originated in 16th-century England, where it began in private homes as a gesture of gratitude from guests to servants. Wealthy households hosted visitors for extended stays, and servants performed extra tasks like serving meals or tending to guests’ needs. Guests, typically of high social standing, gave "vails"—small monetary gifts—to acknowledge good service, reinforce social bonds, and ensure loyalty for future visits. This reflected the era’s hierarchical structure, with generosity seen as a mark of elite status, while servants relied on these gifts to supplement low wages. The term "tip" likely derives from slang for giving something quickly, possibly linked to the acronym "To Insure Promptness" (though debated).
The practice spread from homes to taverns, inns, and later coffeehouses and restaurants across Europe by the 18th century, as patrons tipped for better service. Tipping crossed to America in the 19th century, brought by wealthy travelers imitating European customs. It grew in service industries, especially after the Civil War, when employers used tips to justify low wages for freed slaves and immigrants. By the early 20th century, tipping was entrenched in the U.S., despite criticism as un-American or exploitative. Today, it remains a cornerstone of U.S. service industries, where tipped workers often depend on gratuities due to subminimum wage laws.
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5733565&forum_id=2).#48988095)
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