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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  • @AA5B
    2•14 days ago

    The point is there are a lot of people who work together to provide good service at a restaurant. Why does the person who takes my order deserve a tip while the rest don’t?

    • @[email protected]English
      -1•14 days ago

      Because a server makes about $2 an hour and the restaurant requires you to tip in order to have them make a livable wage. I think we should move away from it but if you go to a restaurant that supports tipping then you should tip. Tip more for great service but tipping nothing or next to nothing is just scummy behavior regardless of service.

      • @[email protected]
        1•14 days ago

        Servers make the same federal minimum everyone else does, their employer just gets to claim ~$5.50 an hour from tips in order to pay it. More in states with a higher minimum.

        If no one tips the employer has to pay the full minimum wage themselves, not just $2.