Source: BroBible
Summary
A Royal Caribbean passenger, Melissa, sparked a debate on TikTok by suggesting that passengers should stop paying the cruise line’s automatic gratuities and instead tip workers directly in cash. According to Melissa, the automatic gratuities help the cruise line meet the contracted amount for employee pay, rather than acting as extra money on top of their pay. She argues that direct cash tipping is better for the workers she personally interacts with.
Our Reading
The habit gets a new name.
Royal Caribbean’s automatic gratuities are being rebranded as a way to “supplement income” rather than a genuine way to show appreciation for good service. The cruise line’s daily gratuity charge is being questioned by some passengers who feel that it’s not actually benefiting the workers. The debate is heating up on TikTok, with some arguing that direct cash tipping is the way to go.
The routine arrives with confidence: removing automatic gratuities and tipping in cash is the new way to show appreciation for good service.
The lifestyle enters the chat: the great gratuity debate is just another example of how we’re always looking for new ways to show our appreciation (and get a better deal).
Original observation: tipping in cash is just a way to make ourselves feel better about how little we’re actually paying.
Author: Evan Null
