Inflation which is a new concept for myself in my mid-40s is playing a large part. We're not fully mentally adjusted to inflation and "value" these services les

Inflation which is a new concept for myself in my mid-40s is playing a large part. We're not fully mentally adjusted to inflation and "value" these services less. Or perhaps we still mentally "value" them in 2019 dollars. Meanwhile, service workers have to live in the present and care about 2023 dollars. I know I still get a little sticker shock just seeing menu prices now, I can't say honestly that I'm tipping the same because of it. It's what I have control over. Or, I can just avoid the place altogether which is what many people choose to do. I haven't fully done that yet, I've scaled back a little but mostly just natural consequence of having young children (we eat in more now). Obviously, it doesn't help that tipping culture is absolute hell these days. I feel like I'm being gouged everywhere I go. For every single interaction. And, it's done in a way that's before the service where I feel like it's mandatory or my service will suffer if I don't go along with it. It's awful and I'm choosing more an more to boycott the tip line almost everywhere (seated meal being an exception).