Current:Home > InvestAre Americans tipping enough? New poll shows that many are short-changing servers. -OceanicInvest
Are Americans tipping enough? New poll shows that many are short-changing servers.
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:13:29
A new poll shows that when it comes to tipping, many Americans are shortchanging their servers.
The Pew Research Center poll of 12,000 people, which came out on Thursday, shows that 57 percent of American diners tip 15% or less for a typical sit-down meal, "including 2% who say they wouldn’t leave any tip," Pew researchers wrote.
Only about 22 percent of people said they would leave a tip of 20% or more," Pew found.
Are we at a 'tipping' point?You're not imagining it. How and why businesses get you to tip more
What factors into how Americans are tipping?
The amount that people tip varies depending on their age, income, and other factors, the poll found.
Younger adults are slightly more likely to be more generous with their tips than their older counterparts, who tend to be more conservative with their wallets, the poll found.
For some, the location makes a big difference. At fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle and Sweetgreen, or quick stops at coffee shops, only about 25% of Americans say they will usually or frequently tip, according to Pew.
Time is money:Customers who don't tip DoorDash drivers will wait longer for deliveries, company warns
Americans are upset growing expectations to leave tips
Among concerns of those surveyed was frustration over expectations to leave tips in increasingly more situations outside of restaurants.
According to Pew, 72% of people said that tipping is now expected in more places than five years ago. Only about a third of respondents said they find it easy to determine when and how much to tip for different types of services, like food deliveries and pet sitters.
In hopes of taking out some of the guesswork and ensuring their staff get adequate tips, many bars and nightclubs now include gratuity in the bill, typically ranging from 18 to 25%.
"I'll look at the bill and see a 20 percent gratuity charge," Lawrence Edgerton of New York City told USA TODAY about some of his experiences getting drinks with co-workers.
"Like, how they even know I like the service?" said Edgerton, a membership coordinator at a private club. "In cases like this I don't add an extra tip."
Kaia Grey, a 24-year-old flight attendant in Washington, D.C., says it seems like service fees are the norm at bars, restaurants and lounges in the country's capital.
"I literally can't go anywhere in D.C., and it will be a service fee," she said. "I have to be mindful when ordering because the more I order, the higher the surprise fee is."
Feds investigating:Elections officials in multiple states get fentanyl-laced letters
When to tip?
It's a common practice for most Americans to leave a gratuity when dining at a restaurant, but there seems to be some uncertainty around tipping in other situations. Many people are unclear about when and how much to tip in situations such as hotel stays, haircuts, or rideshares.
“Even as Americans say they’re being asked to tip more often, relatively few have a great deal of confidence about when and how to do so,” Pew researchers said.
veryGood! (84)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Jana Duggar Reveals She's Adjusting to City Life Amid Move Away From Farm
- Olivia Munn Randomly Drug Tests John Mulaney After Mini-Intervention
- Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- 2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
- Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Denzel Washington Will Star in Black Panther 3 Before Retirement
Ranking
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
- Mississippi man charged with shooting 5 people after not being allowed into party
- 2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Why Kathy Bates Decided Against Reconstruction Surgery After Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer
- Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
DWTS' Gleb Savchenko Shares Why He Ended Brooks Nader Romance Through Text Message
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to watch the fight, time, odds
Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Man found dead in tanning bed at Indianapolis Planet Fitness; family wants stricter policies
My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It