A Pew Research Center survey of 12,000 people shows that most Americans tip 15% or less for a typical sit-down meal and that many are frustrated by other tipping situations
A new survey shows that many Americans are falling short when it comes to tipping their servers.
The Pew Research Center survey of 12,000 people released 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 tip.” Pew researchers wrote.
Only about 22 percent of people said they would tip 20 percent or more,” Pew found.
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What factors influence Americans’ tipping?
Tip sizes vary depending on age, income and other factors, according to the survey.
The survey found that 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.
For some, location makes a big difference. At fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle and Sweetgreen or during quick stops at coffee shops, only about 25% of Americans say they usually or frequently tip, according to Pew.
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Americans are angered by the growing expectation to leave tips
Among respondents’ concerns was frustration with expectations of tipping in more and more situations outside of restaurants.
According to Pew, 72% of people said tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago. Only about a third of respondents said it was easy for them to determine when and how much to tip for different types of services, such as grocery deliveries and pet sitting.
In hopes of taking the guesswork out of the process and ensuring their employees receive adequate tips, many bars and nightclubs now include gratuities in the bill, typically ranging from 18 to 25%.
“I look at the bill and see a 20 percent tip fee,” Lawrence Edgerton of New York City told USA TODAY about some of his experiences drinking with co-workers.
“How do they even know I like the service?” said Edgerton, a membership coordinator at a private club. “In such cases, I don’t give any additional tips.”
Kaia Gray, a 24-year-old flight attendant in Washington, D.C., said it seems like service fees are the norm at bars, restaurants and lounges in the nation’s capital.
“I literally can’t go anywhere in D.C. and there’s a service charge,” she said. “I have to be careful when ordering because the more I order, the higher the surprise fee.”
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When to tip?
It’s common practice for most Americans to leave a tip when eating at a restaurant, but in other situations there seems to be some uncertainty about tipping. Many people are unsure when and how much to tip in situations such as hotel stays, haircuts, or rideshares.
“Although Americans say they are asked to tip more often, relatively few have much certainty about when and how to do so,” Pew researchers said.
Originally posted 2023-11-12 10:50:19.