Switchyard Brewing Company, a local micro brewery, recently instituted a “no tipping” policy because the practice, according to the firm’s president, Kurtis Cummings, is “classist, racist and sexist.”
Cummings said he implemented the new policy after discovering the “racist” history of tipping, saying that the issue “literally kept [him] up at night.” Though, the actually history of tipping is not inherently tied to racial issues. Wealthy Americans first encountered the practice in Victorian England and, wanting to appear cultured and worldly, endeavored to import it to the U.S. Tipping was initially met with hesitation, but eventually became ubiquitous and was viewed as an efficient method to show appreciation for and encourage good service.
The brewery also referenced a supposed disparity in the tips received by servers of different ages, races, and genders. However, it doesn’t appear that the company explored any other variables that may have contributed to the disparity.
Cummings also spoke of a desire to provide employees with a “living wage” by eliminating tipping and raising food and drink prices. Though, such systems often result in a decrease of servers’ actual income. Under the new policy, waiters and waitresses will start at $15 an hour and can earn up to $18 an hour. However, surveys suggest that around 60% of servers would oppose a $15 an hour wage if it meant losing their tips.
Tipping is also generally popular among consumers. A Horizon Media poll found that 81% of restaurant customers prefer tipping to the alternative.
It has been a little over a month since Switchyard introduced the policy, and it appears that employee and customer retention remains high. Even so, it’s still too early to understand the long term impact the new practice will have on the business and if other Bloomington bars and restaurants will follow.
