Door Dash— an online food ordering and food delivery service with its headquarters based in San Francisco— has recently announced that customers who do not tip money in their orders may have to wait longer for their food to arrive.  When users enter zero as the tip amount, they will now receive a pop up warning explaining this. Clearly, this is to encourage users to tip their delivery drivers more, but Is this a good thing? Due to the tip culture in America, this is a bit of a loaded question.

Something a lot of people don’t know about is the U.S. tipped minimum wage. If employees earn tips, it allows their employer to pay them under minimum wage because the tips will compensate for the rest. However, Door Dash does not use this system. Door Dash promises that 100% of the tip given to workers goes to them above their base pay; this is obviously a win for the workers.

I believe that tipping is very important. Some people don’t make a lot of money, and a tip could be very helpful for them. However, I believe tips are earned and, if someone doesn’t provide a good service, they should not expect a tip. That’s why I think that the decision by Door Dash to deliver orders late if a tip isn’t given isn’t fair to the person ordering. The service hasn’t been completed.

“As someone who worked in food service, receiving a tip felt really good,” said drama teacher Mrs. Lianne Rodriguez.

“I always tip because I know food delivery does not pay great, and I only give a low tip when service is really bad,” said senior Sebastian Debora.

At the end of the day, I think everyone should tip workers, but a tip should be earned, not expected.