Tipping

 The Economist has an interesting story on tipping in today's economy. Tipping is common in the US, India and much of Africa but frowned upon throughout Europe, where a service harce is added in lieu of a tip, and Asia. Research shows that customers tip about the same, whether the service is good or poor. They also are a good way for the recipient to avoid taxes, as cash times are often not reported, although, as credit cards have become far more common, the tip paid on a credit card does get reported.

If you are a young female Uber driver, between ages of 21-25, and have a male customer, your tip will be roughly 8 times as large as if you were a young male driver with a male customer. The amount a male drive gets tips stays pretty flat the older they get ,while a female driver's tips drop significantly the older she is. Race comes into play when drivers get tipped, too, as black drivers get tipped about 7% less than white drivers do.