Summary

Tipping in U.S. restaurants has dropped to 19.3%, the lowest in six years, driven by frustration over rising menu prices and increased prompts for tips in non-traditional settings.

Only 38% of consumers tipped 20% or more in 2024, down from 56% in 2021, reflecting tighter budgets.

Diners are cutting back on outings, spending less, and tipping less. Some restaurants are adding service fees, further reducing tips.

Worker advocacy groups are pushing to eliminate the tipped-wage system, while the restaurant industry warns these shifts hurt business and employees.

Key cities like D.C. and Chicago are phasing in higher minimum wages for tipped workers.

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  • Flying Squid
    15•21 hours ago

    I will tip wait staff because I know they rely on it. Someone at the counter at Starbucks? No. They’re not getting less than minimum wage and expected to make up the difference in tips.

    • Snot FlickermanEnglish
      17•19 hours ago

      Depends on the state, too. In Washington wait staff get full minimum wage, which is the highest in the country.

      So I feel a lot less bad leaving a smaller tip in Washington because they’re being paid the same as everyone else, not artificially paid less with “tips supposed to make up the difference.”

      Also, semi-related: Olympia, Washington was one of UberEats best-tipping cities in 2023.

      https://www.uber.com/newsroom/2023-uber-eats-cravings-report/

      Customers in Olympia, WA, Asheville, NC and Bismarck, ND were the most generous tippers in the U.S.

      So a city with the highest minimum wage in the country is also one of the cities that tips the best. Interesting.

      • @[email protected]
        7•20 hours ago

        In my experience service industry workers tip the best, so in a city where they are more often flush they probably tip even better.

        • Snot FlickermanEnglish
          6•20 hours ago

          I wouldn’t say they’re more often flush, though. Olympia is getting as expensive to live in as Seattle and service industry folks can’t live alone in that city, they’re still going to need roommates. The cheapest studios in the area are around $1200 which would require someone making more like $20 an hour to qualify to be able to rent it on their own.

          Olympia is the state capitol so service industry jobs are about the only jobs outside of government jobs. It’s probably more likely decently paid government employees being decent people.