Movie Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Peter Parker's Evolution

 

Peter is Spider-Man

The new Marvel movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an excellent film that explores the evolution of Peter Parker (an excellent Tom Holland) and his alter ego Spider-Man. Remember this line? "With great power comes great responsibility" is something that we associate with Spider-Man. We are familiar with it in an intimate way because Peter Parker inhabits the suit, and so Spider-Man is always Peter Parker, but we forget that Peter Parker is himself when not web slinging, so where does responsibility begin and end? 

Director Destin Daniel Cretton – along with writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers – has crafted one of the best Spider-Man stories told on film. Holland has grown into the character and has made it his own, and here he is allowed to explore nuances of that responsibility to others, but Peter begins to understand that it's at the expense of his own good health and peace of mind. 

Catching Up 

MJ and Ned

In the last film – Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) created a spell that made the world forget Peter ever existed. This means that his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) no longer know him, and also all the Avengers will not know who he is, and the general public who knew Peter Parker was Spider-Man don't remember that anymore. This spell was cast because Peter's world had become too dangerous, and he mostly wanted to keep his friends safe.

This does present Peter with some difficult problems. He still loves MJ and misses his friendship with Ned. He keeps track of them online during their time at MIT. He also observes them after they graduate and return to New York City. He feels very upset about seeing them in person again and knowing that they don't recognize him. He also has lost his identity – living alone and anonymously is not exactly an exciting way to spend his life.

New Acquaintances

Frank Castle/The Punisher

Peter has made new "friends" in the form of Frank Castle (a terrific Jon Bernthal) and Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colon-Zayas). Frank and Peter are more like frenemies – Peter keeps stopping him from killing the criminals Frank is pursuing. On the other hand, Peter is working with Wolff catching criminals and hopefully preventing bigger events.

Frank mumbles about how he's going to "Kill that kid" after Peter stops him yet again in pursuit of a tank raging through Manhattan. Wolff is basically part of the fan club that has developed over the past four years, seeing Peter as the city's protector, but even she worries about him because he seems to devote his whole life to crime fighting. 

Health Issues

Peter's lack of social connections is negatively affecting his health. He is swallowing Advil to combat headaches, and his whole body seems to be revolting under his Spidey suit. After having an emotional reaction to seeing MJ and Ned, Peter comes home and just collapses on the floor. 

Peter's Wake Up Call

The next morning he finds himself enveloped in a cocoon made of spider webs hanging outside over the street below. He discovers that his senses have become enhanced, and webs are coming out of his arms instead of web shooters. This evolution is painful and makes Peter feel uncertain about what his next move should be. 

The Villains

Scorpion

Mac Gargan/Scorpion (Michael Mando) seems to be the villain at first, and Spider-Man captures him after a brutal battle. But when Peter discovers that someone is trying to break Mac out of the Department of Damage Control (DODC), it is not just one person but numerous persons. 

Peter realizes that the main villain is using telepathy to "body hop" from person to person to break Mac out of prison. Since this is unlike any villain he's ever faced before, Peter realizes that he needs help.

Getting Help

Spidey's Business Meeting with Yelena

Peter visits Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) who is the current Black Widow. In a very hilarious scene, Yelena's office is a bathhouse, and to "meet" with her, Peter must take off his Spidey suit and go into the bath with her. When he comes out of the changing room he is stripped down but still wearing his mask, causing me to laugh along with the audience in the theater.

Yelena uses her telepathic skills to zero in on a person who continually attacks the DODC looking for someone or thing called V-Max. She believes whoever this is is the one who is body hopping from person to person. Peter's job just got much more difficult.

Getting More Violent

Peter locates the escaped Scorpion and engages in another violent battle. Scorpion even recognizes a change in Spider-Man's tactics and asks him about it. Spider-Man eventually defeats Scorpion, but he injures a police officer in the process. 

DeWolff arrives on the scene and is appalled to see her badly injured officer. She warns Spider-Man that while she is grateful for all he's done for the city, if something like this happens again that she would have no choice but to arrest him. 

Controlling His Rage

Dr. Banner tries to help Peter

Being extremely upset that he hurt a police office and was out of control with his new powers, Peter visits a local university to meet with Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). He knows that Banner had invented an inhibitor to keep his Hulk alter ego in check. 

Peter impresses Banner with his understanding of the inhibitor technology. They discuss the various parameters that are needed for the inhibitor to work. Peter goes home and starts working on building an inhibitor. He also builds one for the telepathic villain because he believes that will put an end to the body hopping.  

Spoiler Territory

The rest of the way is spoiler territory. Will Peter be able to build the inhibitor to control his growing powers? Will he be able to find the villain V-Max and use the inhibitor to stop what seems to be aimed at destroying the DODC? And, or course, the most important question is this: will Peter ever get MJ and Ned back into his life?

The Verdict 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an awesome movie that checks all the boxes for Marvel fans and even those who are not fans. The performances are all strong, and the story keeps moving forward like a freight train right up to the thrilling final act. 

The way I see it this film is it's a great start of a new Spider-Man trilogy. In the grand scheme of things it feels like the threads are being woven to bring in other characters from the MCU – I'm hoping that will include Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox). 

I'm looking forward to more Spidey days ahead. I give this film 4.5 stars out of 5. I highly recommend that you go and see it on the big screen. You'll be happy that you did. 

Please check out the trailer below. 

Get My Novel 'Life and Death in Venice' in a Kindle Countdown Deal

 My novel, Life and Death in Venice, is entering a Kindle Countdown Deal. The promotion begins with the book being available for 99 cents starting on August 4, 2026, at 11:00 EST. It will end on August 11, 2026 at 11:00 EST. 

With the summer reading season here, Life and Death in Venice makes a good read for the beach or on your vacation wherever planes, trains, ships, and cars can take you. 

So, please get in on this great deal that will last one week. Thank you to everyone who has already ordered a copy. 

Also, the paperback version of the book is now available. Some people – myself included – prefer to hold a physical book for their reading experience. 

Get your deal here: Kindle Countdown Deal.

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of 'Star Trek TOS' – New LEGO Set of The 'Enterprise' Bridge Is Awesome!

 

To continue to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Star Trek the Original Series, LEGO has released an awesome set that captures the imagination and the inspiration of the TV show. 

Kirk, Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov on the bridge

I always felt a little slighted by the lack of Star Trek LEGO sets. We got so many Star Wars sets – not that I'm not complaining – but it is nice to see this Star Trek set joining the fold. 

There is only one previous Star Trek LEGO set – Star Trek: The Next Generation's – U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701D (#10356) and it comes with characters from that series. While that was a welcome addition, this new set inspired by Star Trek's 60th anniversary hopefully will be the first of many more Trek sets forthcoming. 

So, let's take a look at this great new LEGO set available for pre-order now – it will start shipping on September 1, 2026 – just in time to celebrate 60 years of Star Trek in our lives. 

National Star Trek Day is September 8. This year it marks the 60th anniversary of the premier of the series' broadcast debut with the first episode – "The Man Trap" – broadcast on September 8, 1966. 

The Bridge 

I cannot wait to build this one. Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge (#11385) lets you recreate the iconic bridge where so much of the action took place in the original series. It even includes a lever to swish open the turbo doors. There is also the view screen with an image of an angry Klingon on it.  

The eight minifigures

The set comes with 1,701 pieces (the ship's number) and eight minifigures – Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Dr. Leonard McCoy, Pavel Chekov, Nurse Christine Chapel, and Montgomery Scott. The gang's all here to embark on many adventures. 

The set comes with numerous accessories including Spock's harp, phasers, tricorders, and four tribbles. This will help you recreate many memorable moments whether you wish to position characters for display or actually play with them. 

This set box proudly announces that it is for 18+ builders and the LEGO website says that it's "a collectible building set for adult fans of the popular sci-fi franchise." The words "Adults Welcome" are prominently featured on the set's page.

The Transporter Room

The transporter room was another a place where frequent scenes took place. Series creator Gene Roddenberry's ingenious idea of "beaming" people down to a planet or up to the ship – it was actually a way to save money on the more costly small ship landing on a planet – adds another level of excitement to this set. 

With a turn of a knob, the characters can be beamed off the ship or come back on board. With the dependable Scotty at the controls, our passengers know that they're in capable hands. 

Adult LEGO Sets

Targeted adult builder

The concept of making LEGO sets for adults is interesting and fascinating. Many of us who grew up with LEGO can experience a void of not having something to build like we used to do.

My joy was having a son who loved LEGO. This gave me years of being able to build great sets – many of them Star Wars related – and there is great satisfaction looking at our playroom now filled with all of our completed sets.

Apollo 11 Lunar Lander

Sadly, my son is grown up now and those days of building together are gone. However, for Christmas I was given NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (#10266), and that was a joy to build – my son even got in on the fun. 

Now this set sits proudly on my shelf in my office. I just have to glance up at it as I am doing my work and remember the awe and excitement of being a kid when the first men landed on the moon. That is the lasting resonance of LEGO – capturing moments that are memorable and indelible in our lives. 

The Verdict

Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge LEGO set is an awesome new set that will warm the hearts of many Star Trek fans. The combination of the iconic bridge and transporter room is a great homage to the original series that still delights fans of all ages.

I have asked Santa for this set for Christmas, so I have a long time to wait to actually build it. But I will come back here and report on what will undoubtedly be one of my favorite sets to build.

Until then, "Live Long and Prosper!" 

 Please check out this video for more details about this awesome set. 

ABBA Surprise – Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On"

 

There are sometimes things you take for granted – like a favorite TV show that suddenly gets canceled. There is also the music that you listened to in your youth. There are a few songs that I heard on the radio that I liked, but I never really investigated who was singing them. I just enjoyed them. Such is the case with the song "I Know There's Something Going On." 

The other day, I heard the song on the radio in my car, and it brought back old memories from the past. I decided I was going to look up the song when I got home. When I typed the title of the song for a search, I was shocked. I never knew that the singer of the song was ABBA band member Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad. As if that revelation was not enough, I also discovered that the distinctive drummer in the song is Phil Collins. Now listening to it again and watching the video, I'm just sorry I didn't know this sooner.

The Story of the Song

Frida and Collins in the studio

Released on August 6, 1982, "I Know There's Something Going On" was from Frida's third solo and first English language album Something's Going On. The song was written by Russ Ballard, and the album was produced by Collins. 

The song was released prior to the announcement that ABBA was going to take a break from recording and performing. This break would last into the next century, and Frida obviously was trying to take a different direction on her own.

Not Like ABBA

Frida wanted her single and album not to have an "ABBA  pop sound" to set her on her new journey. She obviously accomplished that – at least for me – because I never would have connected the song with ABBA because it sounds nothing like the group's work. 

With Collins playing the drums and also providing background vocals, the sound is quite unique and memorable. Frida's vocal is rather haunting, and the song holds up well after listening to it a number of times. It definitely had the right recipe to become a hit single. 

Documentary

The making of the single and the album was filmed by Swedish television SVT. The whole recording process was covered from the first day in the recording studio up to the release party. This indicates that Frida was very savvy about what was a new beginning for her and the end of ABBA.

The documentary includes interviews with Frida and Collins, as well Bjorn and Benny from ABBA. The musicians who worked on the album were also interviewed. While it was broadcast on SVT, the video was also made available to the public as Frida - THE DVD. 

Reception  

The cover of her third album

The single "I Know There's Something Going On" became a great success for Frida. It reached number one on the charts in Belgium and Switzerland, and it was in the top ten of most hit lists in other European countries, but it only made it to number three in her home country of Sweden. 

In the United States it reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it spent 29 weeks on that chart – which is very impressive longevity for a single. It also explains why it remained lodged in my mind all these years later because I had heard it so often back then. 

The Verdict

I think that "I Know There's Something Going On" was the perfect single to help launch Frida's solo career. The vocal is very different in retrospect when you think about how she sounded with ABBA. Her legacy with her former band was secure, but now she was setting out on a new path. 

While her voice was wonderful when she sang lead in the past – like the great song "Fernando" (1975) – in this song we hear a stronger vocal – a confident, independent, and powerful rock and roll voice like never before. Frida took this brave and necessary step, and it worked out perfectly for her. 

I hope you appreciate the song and video as much as I do. I have included the video below. 

  

FIFA 2026 World Cup – Has Changed Americans' Feelings About Soccer and How the World's Fans Feel about America

 

The FIFA 2026 World Cup has taken the game of soccer – or football for most of the rest of the world – into the American consciousness. Shattering attendance records in stadiums and drawing the viewership of millions of Americans on television, the 2026 tournament has irrevocably altered Americans' attitude toward the sport, and – due to the influx of fans from all over the world – it has changed the way people feel about America. 

My Experience with Soccer

Personally, my experience with watching soccer came down to my children playing the sport. I never played soccer as a kid, and none of my friends did either. As a NYC kid, I played in the street or on a paved city park field, and the sports we cared about were baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. 

Growing up my teams were the New York Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Islanders. I never had any thoughts about playing or watching soccer. But when my kids were little they wanted to join soccer teams – until this day I don't know why because they never saw me watching that sport, but I think it had more to do with their peers.

Once my kids were on teams, I went to practices and matches. I had interest in the sport because they were playing it, but that didn't make me want to go home and try to find matches to watch on TV. 

Of course, the FIFA 2026 World Cup has changed my attitude about the sport. I dare say it has changed millions of Americans' feelings about soccer too.

Viewership and Cultural Change

Millions of Americans are watching 

This 2026 FIFA World Cup has drawn a massive television audience. It is estimated that every match has had an audience of 100 million or more Americans. In my opinion the only other case of this kind of national attention would be the NFL Super Bowl – an estimated 124.9 million Americans watched Super Bowl LX in February 2026. 

A recent Gallup Survey revealed that around 40% of Americans were watching some of the matches. That is comparable to 38% of Americans who watched it in 1994 when the World Cup was held in America. In other years when the event was held elsewhere viewership was around 30%.

Neglecting My Other Sports 

Personally, I have neglected other sports that I would have been watching because of the World Cup. I have not watched a Mets game at all during this time, and I have had no time for Wimbledon this year. My late father would not believe that I didn't watch any tennis or Mets' games, but I have been so involved in these cup matches. 

The Knicks Win the Championship

Of course, I watched every Knicks' playoff game as they eventually brought a championship home, but I wonder if timing isn't everything. The World Cup was just kicking off when the Knicks beat San Antonio, and then my attention quickly shifted to soccer. I cannot believe I'm even saying that. 

Changed Attitude

I think that I – and many other Americans – used to feel that the game was boring. With the other sports I've previously mentioned, games are broken down into innings, quarters, or periods. There are numerous opportunities for breaks in those games – which means opportunities for getting a snack, going to the bathroom, or checking your phone.

I appreciate soccer now

Also, soccer is very low scoring. 1-0 matches are common rather than rare. In American football, we are used to high scores. Even in baseball we are not used to seeing 1-0 games. In basketball 100 points – or even more – are quite common for both teams. 

However, this tournament has taught me to respect the game of soccer. There is so much precision and strategy to the sport. I – and think now millions of Americans – have found an appreciation of the game and realize the depth of talent needed to play it competitively.

American Influence on the Tournament

If the World Cup changed how Americans viewed soccer, it can also be said that America changed some aspects of the game. Consider the following:

-FIFA installed extended half time 

-Hydration breaks (which allowed more TV commercials)

-Championship rings (like the Super Bowl winners receive) – this is the first time FIFA will give the champions rings

-Working with Nike and Adidas during the tournament for promotional reasons

Economic and Cultural Boost for America

It is estimated that the boom in hospitality for American host cities was a financial juggernaut. The host cities received a welcome boost from the visitors coming there to view the matches. 

Scottish fans were thirsty in Boston

Those cities also learned about having to be ready for a huge crowd. Consider the situation in Boston – the city ran out of beer due to the enthusiastic Scottish World Cup fans visiting there. You can bet that will never happen in that town again! Next time they will be prepared. 

It is believed that each city had $600 million or more dollars spent because of the visitors coming to watch the matches. This is an amazing amount of money spent, but there was also another long term benefit – a new found love for America.

Visitors Appreciate America

As a traveler for many years – having visited six continents – I have always found locals to be friendly with me wherever I went. I've never had a problem, but I found that people do have a lot of reservations about America. They've heard a lot of negative things about my country, and I always felt sad about that.

Yet now – if you have seen numerous positive videos on YouTube – visitors found that America is very different from what they expected. People from countries all over the world – and especially from Europe – have found that America is nothing like they perceived it to be. 

Please check out this video about visitors' reactions to being in America.

I find it heartwarming to see people gushing over visits to Walmart, Costco, Waffle House, Target, McDonald's and other places we probably take for granted. They are overwhelmed by visiting local malls and the size and amenities found in our stadiums. The good news is that these people don't only want to come back – some of them never want to leave!

Impressive Impact on America and the World

The FIFA 2026 World Cup has left a lasting impact on America and the way the world perceives us. It has changed the way Americans feel about soccer – leaving an overwhelmingly positive perception for many people, including those who never gave the sport a chance. 

AT&T Stadium in Texas 

It has changed the way people from other countries feel about America, and it has provided host cities with a welcome economic boost. Millions of soccer fans from Europe visited places like Kansas City and Dallas that they would have never visited before, and they fell in love with these cities and American culture. 

Globally, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached between 5 to 6 billion viewers, whether they were watching TV or streaming the matches. In the United States, FOX and Telemundo broke previous records for viewership, and it has brought soccer to the attention of Americans like never before.

And in the End

The GOAT Messi plays in Miami now 

Americans will never think of soccer as that other sport ever again. It has been brought into focus like never before, and I think that will last long after the World Cup 2026 is over. 

There will be a new interest in Major League Soccer – let's not forget Lionel Messi plays in Miami now – in this country that will  be good for the sport and good for us as well.

The FIFA 2026 World Cup will have a lasting impact on Americans and people who visited here. It has brought about a feeling of good will and sportsmanship that will never be forgotten. 

Please watch another video about World Cup fans' reaction to America. 

'The Odyssey' – Before You See the Movie, Get to Know About the Epic Poem First

 

The Odyssey is one of two epic works of ancient Greek literature – the other is the Iliad – and both are said to have been created by the blind Greek poet Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature, and many people may recognize the title but know little or nothing about the actual story – or think about the Honda minivan. 

Odysseus' 10-year journey home

The story basically follows the hero Odysseus – who is also known as Ulysses in the Latin version of the story – on his voyage home after the 10-year battle of Troy – which is the story told in the Iliad. Realistically speaking, 10 years to fight a war must have been the most brutal, inhuman way of life for that bloody decade. Anyone who survived that horror would have deserved to go home.

It will take Odysseus another 10 years to get back to Ithaca where he is the king. During that time he encounters creatures good and evil, faces many dangers, and loses all of his men. As the sole survivor, Odysseus has the incentive to return home not just to see his wife and son but also to tell the news of what happened to him and his crew.

While he is away – and presumed dead after so many years – his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a large group of potential suitors for Penelope's hand in marriage.  

The Poem's Composition

The blind Greek poet Homer

When trying to find the time that both epic poems were composed, there is no totally agreed upon answer. According classics scholar Robert Lamberton, the poems were probably composed – written down – much later, but they were certainly told long before that time in what is called the oral tradition – the poems were conceived by Homer some time in the 8th Century BC, but he would have told the stories by reciting them from memory. 

The poems would then be handed down over generations, told by bards who performed them also from memory, but adapting them sometimes for a particular audience. At some point someone decided to sit down and write the long 24 chapter poems. These poems would have been transcribed in Homeric Greek sometime between the 8th and 7th Century BC. 

Impact on Culture and Education

Homer's work can be considered some of the most influential literature in history because of its impact on culture and education. The poems provided the framework of what to teach during the classical age, and they also affected Greek culture for generations.

We can make connections to how the Greeks passed the torch to the Romans as Homer's work still was honored and taught, continuing to be important as Christianity spread in the Roman Empire. 

Homer would be rediscovered by the Byzantine Empire in the 8th Century CE, and would also have a tremendous impact on Renaissance Italy. From that time going forward many different translations of the epic poems were made, causing them to be part of classical education throughout Europe and eventually the rest of the world. 

Books, Television, and Film Adaptations

Notable Books

Margaret Atwood

-The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood tells the story from Penelope's point of view. It offers a feminist perspective of the tale, highlighting the oppressive patriarchal aspects of the original work

- Circe by Madeline Miller focuses on the life of Circe, the witch whom Odysseus encounters on the island of Aeaea.

-Ithaca by Claire North is a historical fiction that also tells the story from wife Penelope's point of view as she tries to maintain the kingdom of Ithaca while Odysseus is away.

- The Lost Books of the Odyssey by Zachary Mason provides alternate versions of the stories told in the original epic poem.   

 Television Series

- Odyssey (1968) is an Italian miniseries that captures the essence of the original work.

- Ulysses 31 (1981-1982) is a French-Japanese animated series that transports Odysseus to the 31st Century, where he battles space monsters.

Armand Assante as Odysseus

- The Odyssey (1997) is a Hallmark produced NBC miniseries starring Armand Assante that is faithful to the spirit of the original epic poem. 

Films

Ulysses (1954) is an Italian-American film starring Kirk Douglas in the title role. It is considered a classic and faithful adaptation of the story.

The Return (2024) is a film starring Ralph Fiennes as a bruised and weary Odysseus who returns to reunite with his wife and son and reclaim his throne.

Matt Damon as Odysseus

The Odyssey (2026) is master filmmaker Christopher Nolan's retelling of the tale. With an all star cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth, and many more stars in the hands of one of our greatest living directors. It will be exciting to see what Nolan has accomplished in retelling the classic tale. 

Nolan's The Odyssey premieres in the United States on July 17, 2026. For tickets and showtimes, please check here. 

Reading the Original

I know there's not much time until the premier, and the original work is rather long, but I encourage you to try to read some of Homer's classic tale. Here are some tips on reading or at least getting familiar with the story. There is always a benefit of at least being aware of the highlights of the source material when viewing Nolan's film.

Please watch this video about approaching a reading of the Odyssey.

And in the End

The impact of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey cannot be denied. Although created more than 3000 years ago, the works tell the story of the human condition. War, greed, love, lust, and death are all omnipresent in the stories told. 

The fact that we are still living with many of the conditions Homer describes tells us that human life – while greatly changed by technology and history – is still very similar to those times.

Recognizing ourselves in great works of literature – no matter now old – relays the notion that human beings have always been much the same over the centuries. Hopefully we can learn from the mistakes that occurred before our time, but sadly many times we find that we continue to repeat them. That is what is called being human.

Please check out the trailer for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.  

Tipflation – Tipping Culture in the United States is Out of Control!

 

There's pressure to tip at the counter

The concept of tipping has never bothered me. I believed that if someone performed a service in a good and meaningful way, I would show my appreciation with a good tip. I had no issues with that situation until recently.

I'm basically bothered about tipping requests for most purchases that I make in a store. While I can understand tipping a waitress who served me at a table, someone handing me a takeout order in the diner or a cup of coffee in Starbucks is a different story. Why should a screen pop up asking me to choose the percentage of tipping I want to give? In those cases, I hit the "No Tip" button, but it is always awkward.

The History of Tipping in the United States

Tipping started with serfs

To understand the concept of tipping in the United States, it is a good idea to look across the pond. Tipping started in Europe during the Middle Ages between masters and their serfs. If servants did excellent work for the master, it was customary for the master to give a gratuity to the serf as a reward. 

Many years later, well to do Americans traveling in Europe during the middle 19th century encountered the tipping custom, and they thought it was an excellent idea. They brought that custom home because it made them feel like the aristocrats that they saw in Europe when they tipped someone. 

Tipping Was Unpopular at First

Many Americans resisted the idea of tipping in the beginning. Eating in a restaurant was expensive even in those days, and the notion of making it cost more was unpopular. 

There was also a sense that the idea of a gratuity was a way of showing off or making it seem that someone had more money than they actually had. It also made some people who didn't have the money to tip feel uneasy in those situations. 

The Civil War Changed Things

With the end of slavery after the Civil War, many freed Black people sought jobs in the hospitality industry. These jobs paid little or nothing to the workers, so they would do an excellent job for their customers and hope they would give them a gratuity. 

Tipping spread from Pullman trains

George Pullman started the Pullman Company of luxury railroad service, and this caused an explosion of tipping as a popular practice because he hired many former slaves as porters and servers for his trains. While Pullman at least paid them a low wage, the concept of tipping became the norm on all of his trains, causing the practice to spread across the country.

20th Century Challenge

Despite tipping being widespread by the end of the 19th century, in the early 20th century there was more outrage from many in the public feeling that they had to pay for things twice. Eventually, 48 states passed laws to get rid of tipping. 

In 1926 the state governments overturned those laws because there was difficulty to enforce the ban because the practice had become so widespread.  Restaurant owners capitalized on these overturned laws, paying their workers less and making them rely on tips for good service. 

Many Americans Are Feeling Annoyed about Tipping

Must tip a table server

A recent Pew Research Center survey indicates that 72% of Americans feel like tipping is more prevalent in a variety of places than it was just five years ago – like the dry cleaner or the corner deli. This rise of requested tipping in places that never asked for gratuities before is called Tipflation. 

A recent survey by Bankrate – a financial services company – finds that two thirds of Americans now have negative feelings about tipping and prompts to tip. Because of this pressure, people are reluctant to tip according to the electronic prompts forced upon them, and even in some restaurants with sit down service some people are not leaving any tips – I do not agree with that practice at all. If someone has served me at a table, I'm going to be leaving a tip for that service. 

Tipping in Hotels

Hotel tip placement

I have traveled on six continents, and stayed in many hotels – although in recent years I have preferred staying in an Airbnb – and the questions about tipping are really a difficult call depending on where you are staying. 

According to Conde Nast Traveler, tipping rules in hotels vary "by country, by region, and by scenario." For example, in countries like Japan or South Korea, leaving a tip in a hotel may seem offensive. In the United States, a tip is expected – $2 to $5 per night – and should be left on the nightstand or pillow. 

In Western and Southern Europe, tips are not expected due to wages being higher for hotel workers, but a tip of $1 to $2 a night will not be unwelcome, and in China tipping is not customary and may cause unnecessary confusion as to why the tip is left.

In general, I try to check on the customs of the place I am visiting, and if someone does bring my luggage to my hotel room – I always feel obliged to give a tip no matter where I'm staying. 

Feeling Pressure to Tip

The pressure is real here

Sometimes I feel like a Hamlet-like customer at my time to pay at the counter – To tip, or not to tip? That is the question! This becomes even more of a dilemma especially at counters in a variety of establishments when the cashier is waiting for you as the screen appears to request a tip at varying percentages or no tip, and sometimes they turn the screen with tipping options in order for you to see it. 

In what circle of hell has this situation been devised? This person is waiting to see if I tip or not. There is no more awkward ten seconds in my daily life. If I hit one of the tip percentages, I'm going to walk away feeling cheated. If I hit on "No Tip," then I'm going to feel like Scrooge. Oh, this is just simply madness personified. 

What to Do Going Forward

I'm not sure that I know what to do moving forward. Even when I order a meal to be delivered, the person on the phone will ask, "Do you want to include a tip?" I always say, "No, I will tip at delivery." If I place the order online, that tip box pops up as always, and I hit "No Tip." When the order arrives, I always give the tip in cash, and I see delivery people smiling, so I think that's appreciated. 

I just think that something has to give. I believe in tipping in the proper places at the appropriate times, but what's happening now seems like a tipping epidemic, and I'm feeling like a victim. It's so pervasive right now that it seems like there's no turning back. 

The Brown Bag Prescription

My lunch option now

After much contemplation, I could only think of one thing to do – the brown bag prescription. When I go to work, I bring my lunch in a brown bag just like a kid going to school. If I go to a park or the pool, the brown bag is coming with me. This way I don't have to face that awful situation of the electronic screen with tip suggestions. 

I encourage you try the brown bag prescription. At least you know the food is what you like and made the way you like it. There's nothing wrong with that!

* Please watch this video about how Americans feel about tipping!