美国国家公共电台 NPR--Tipflation: Why you're not alone if you're being asked to tip more often

Tipflation: Why you're not alone if you're being asked to tip more often

Transcript¹

Digital kiosks and a shaky economy have fueled an explosion in tipping, according to Dipayan Biswas, a marketing² professor at the University of South Florida.

A MART?NEZ, HOST:

Do you feel like you're tipping more these days or that you're being asked to tip more often? Dipayan Biswas, a marketing professor at the University of South Florida, says you are not alone.

DIPAYAN BISWAS: Over the last few years, we've seen the emergence³ of these digital kiosk systems that are very interactive⁴ in nature. Digital interfaces⁶ allowed companies to give the option to give tips. And companies figured out that this is a good way to get people to, like, pay more.

MART?NEZ: Those digital interfaces he's talking about are the tablets and other screens that you see in coffee shops, restaurants, even automated⁷ car washes. Biswas says those interfaces, along with a shaky pandemic-era economy, have fueled an explosion in tipping.

BISWAS: With inflation and wages not keeping up with inflation, companies are hoping that the tipping would make up for the difference because companies are looking for new ways to earn money.

MART?NEZ: According to a survey conducted by CreditCards.com, the average person tips 20% at a sit-down restaurant, 17% for food delivery and 15% for carryout. But often you don't know where that tip is actually going. Biswas says there's an easy way to find out. Just ask.

BISWAS: People usually assume that that money is going to the server or the employee. Anything paid to the digital interface⁵ goes directly to the company's account, and it is up to the company and any contract they have in place that would determine how much of that money, if any at all, gets shared with the server or the employee. Just the word tip doesn't mean anything.

MART?NEZ: With more places confronting customers with tips, you might be feeling a little bit of tip fatigue⁸.

BISWAS: We all have sort of a mental account of total tipping dollars we have in mind or in our budget. So my biggest concern is what's happening is with so many places asking for tips, the real people who actually rely on tipping for their livelihood⁹, the restaurant servers - they're the ones who would actually see the adverse¹⁰ effects of it.

MART?NEZ: Biswas says that tipping shouldn't feel like an obligation, and there's nothing wrong with considering your budget before you tip.

BISWAS: One thing I would emphasize is don't just tip because of the guilt¹¹ factor. Just because there's an option doesn't mean they should stretch their budget.

MART?NEZ: Biswas says historically, tipping was once a way of showing off your wealth. Then it evolved into an incentive¹² for good service. You'd think 30 years after Mr. Pink says he doesn't believe in it, that we'd have some clarity on tipping.

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1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

3 emergence   

n.浮现，显现，出现，（植物）突出体

参考例句：

• The last decade saw the emergence of a dynamic economy.最近10年见证了经济增长的姿态。
• Language emerges and develops with the emergence and development of society.语言是随着社会的产生而产生，随着社会的发展而发展的。

4 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

5 interface   

n.接合部位，分界面；v.(使)互相联系

参考例句：

• My computer has a network interface,which allows me to get to other computers.我的计算机有网络接口可以与其它计算机连在一起。
• This program has perspicuous interface and extensive application. 该程序界面明了，适用范围广。

6 interfaces   

界面( interface的名词复数 )； 接口（连接两装置的电路，可使数据从一种代码转换成另一种代码）； 交界； 联系

参考例句：

• If the class needs to be reprogrammed, new interfaces are created. 如果class需要重新程序设计，新的interfaces创建。
• Interfaces solve this problem of evolving code. Interfaces解决了代码升级的问题。

7 automated   

a.自动化的

参考例句：

• The entire manufacturing process has been automated. 整个生产过程已自动化。
• Automated Highway System (AHS) is recently regarded as one subsystem of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). 近年来自动公路系统(Automated Highway System,AHS)，作为智能运输系统的子系统之一越来越受到重视。

8 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

9 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

10 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

11 guilt   

n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责

参考例句：

• She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
• Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。

12 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。