Throughline The Land of the Fee (2021)
Mar 31, 2022
Nina Martyris, a freelance journalist known for her insightful writing on tipping, dives deep into the controversial practice's history in the U.S. She reveals how tipping emerged post-Civil War as a method to exploit low-wage labor, particularly among formerly enslaved individuals. The conversation touches on the cultural clash surrounding tipping, debunking its evolution from an unpopular tradition to an American staple. Martyris also critiques the socio-economic implications of tipping, highlighting ongoing debates about labor justice in the service industry.
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Early Tipping Records
- Samuel Pepys' diary entries from 1668 in London include records of tipping.
- He consistently noted payments for services and additional gratuities for servers.
Tipping as Un-American
- Tipping was initially seen as un-American, a relic of European feudalism.
- It clashed with American ideals of equality, representing a superior-inferior relationship.
Exploitation of Formerly Enslaved People
- Post-Civil War, restaurant owners hired formerly enslaved people, utilizing tipping to justify low wages.
- This practice exploited a vulnerable workforce seeking opportunities after emancipation.