To the Point
Is Tipping at Restaurants Becoming a Thing of the Past?
The practice of tipping after dining out began in medieval Europe, but it became a peculiarly American institution. Now there's a movement to ban it as unfair and discriminatory. Will customers give it up in exchange for service charges -- or higher prices?
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenThe practice of tipping after dining out began in medieval Europe, but it became a peculiarly American institution. Now there's a movement to ban it as unfair and discriminatory. Will customers give it up in exchange for service charges -- or higher prices?
Also on this Thanksgiving Day, a conversation with philosopher Peter Singer about charitable giving and ethics. We hear why he encouraged one of his best students to work on Wall Street and get as rich as he could.
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In this episode
3 storiesThanksgiving Travel, Cars and Cheap Gas
Some 47 million Americans are traveling on this long Thanksgiving holiday, 80% of them on the road. Drivers are in for a pleasant surprise. Instead of going up because of increased demand, gasoline prices are going down. Patrick DeHaan is senior petroleum analyst at Gasbuddy.com .
Read the story7 minIs Tipping at Restaurants Becoming a Thing of the Past?
Tipping is as American as apple pie -- fundamental to the $600 billion restaurant industry with tens of millions of employees. Customers may believe that tipping's fair play for waiters and waitresses when service is good or bad.
Read the story34 minAn Argument against Arts and Culture Charities
In 1975, Peter Singer made a global impact with his book, Animal Liberation . He's now focused on charity — and how everyone has the obligation not just to give away whatever they can afford, but to get the biggest bang for their buck.
Read the story9 min
