Etiquette expert says tipping culture is changing

With more of us going cashless to pay for goods and services, it's seems our approach to tipping is changing too.

“I think absolutely it's changing with the increased use of…payment cards it's really changing how we're approaching tipping. In some cases, we're actually tipping more.” said Lisa Orr, a Toronto-based etiquette expert.

“You know if you were buying a drink or a coffee, you might have had a few dollars, you would have rounded up and left the change in that tip bucket. Whereas now, when you go to pay with tap or the card, you'll see percentage figures added on. So sometimes it's 15, 20 per cent on top…Given people get quite nervous that they should tip, they end up leaving huge tips on top of what would be typically a pretty small payment. Orr told The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS.

Some digital payments like she is referencing, now prompt customers for tips on all sorts of transactions.

Orr also believes we are tipping in situations where we wouldn't have in the past.

“But I think the reality is…not that the practice has changed, but the merchants have an opportunity to act and so they're asking, even though typically a tip was related to service,” said Orr.

She says in restaurants a 15 per cent tip is likely at the lower end, adding it is probably closer to 18 per cent now.

“But the key is that it should be before tax…I always do the math myself, because otherwise those little machines prompt you after tax. If you're going out for dinner with a big group, it can get pretty expensive.” added Orr.