The early history behind tipping was basically to not pay black people and keep some simulacrum of slavery. Black people were historically pretty predominant in the hospitality industry - a good way to pay them shit, and make them dependent on the generosity of white people.
I mean, that’s basically how the entire hospitality industry operates at this point.
The early history behind tipping was basically to not pay black people and keep some simulacrum of slavery. Black people were historically pretty predominant in the hospitality industry - a good way to pay them shit, and make them dependent on the generosity of white people.
Wow, I did not know that.
This NPR interview on the topic is pretty interesting.