I'm actually shocked that so many people are (apparently) carrying cash around.

Absolutely agree. Also, in my opinion, there is a difference between a salaried professional (with extensive training/education/experience) vs. a wage-hour service worker in terms of gratuities. Would you tip a teller at the bank, or a librarian at your local library? Of course not. It would be totally inappropriate.

Given that FT is global by definition, it sometimes is a good idea to help everyone understand what is customary in U.S. culture regarding gratuities.

(It's worth noting that in Asia, tipping service staff with cash is not only not customary, it might even be taken as a sign of disrespect for the caliber and professional level of the work performed.)

I make sure I have tip money when I go to the airport. I admit I am old school at this point but I still use the sky caps who I tip and I tip all lounge people who serve me even when I am just having a soda. Oddly enough it never dawned on me not to.

I’m old school too. I always carry cash and when I travel I make sure I have plenty for tips. There are many people I encounter while traveling that either depend on tips or very much appreciate them. Just my two cents 🙃

Does anyone think a server at an airline lounge (with the sole possible exception of Alaska. see post above) makes a decent wage? What about skycaps? These people live on tips.

What about being a trained professional means you can't appreciate a show of appreciation from a customer? Do professionals not get bonuses from their employer? Sure they do. So why not get appreciation from a customer? Would I tip a librarian? If they went well above and beyond, why not.

Slip a twenty to the librarian and make as much noise as you want :p

Librarians, like most government employees, are usually not permitted to accept tips. If you insist, they may suggest that you donate to an organization (like the Friends of the Library) instead.

The practice of tipping originated with rich people tipping their servants, so many people still view it as something you do for laborers or unskilled workers. I'm sure you wouldn't think of tipping a doctor or lawyer. A bonus from an employer is an entirely different scenario and doesn't raise the ethical concerns that tipping does.

I always tip the bar tenders at the A/C. $2.00 for boozy drinks $1.00 for coke or ginger ale.

It would be nice if they added a QR code to tip electronically like the Aspire Lounge at SAN.

I guess cultural norm and ethics standards? Every employer I've ever worked for in a salaried position has forbidden cash tips in our employment terms/handbooks, and has a term in our ethics policy that forbid us from accepting either a gift or a series of gifts over either $15 or $20 (varied by employer/era) from a client or customer. Both violations were called out as fireable offenses.

This boomer always travels with cash. I might go an entire trip without using much, but I can't travel without folding money.

Tipping at Admiral's Clubs is the main reason I carry cash. Pretty much the only place I use it.

On trips I usually carry about $10 or $15 in singles and maybe one $5 bill. Just for clarification, none of those bills have peach scented body oil on them (as far as I know).

I'm a dollar per drink guy in the AC. Usually a well gin and tonic.