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.

Non-paywall link

  • @dellish
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    281 month ago

    You’re a victim of the system you’re protecting. Enough with the Stockholm Syndrome.

    • @Glytch
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      -101 month ago

      The ones funding my bosses and not me are doing a lot more to protect the system than I am. Not tipping has no effect on the employer and only punishes the person providing you a service.

      • Liz
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        fedilink
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        151 month ago

        Your employer is required to pay you minimum wage if tips don’t make up the difference. If people stop tipping entirely, it actually will impact your boss.

        • @Glytch
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          -71 month ago

          A. Wage theft is widespread and hard to fight without money

          B. Minimum wage hasn’t been a livable wage since the 70’s

      • @DuckWrangler9000
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        21 month ago

        This makes absolutely no sense. Do you even think before you type or…?

        • @[email protected]
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          fedilink
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          edit-2
          30 days ago

          They’re absolutely correct though and it makes perfect sense. This is a systemic problem. Don’t use the service at all if you want to make a statement.

          Use the service, and then refuse to tip (100% of which goes to the driver btw), and you are doing nothing but directly hurting other working class people. Good job.

        • @Glytch
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          -91 month ago

          Customers fund businesses. Customers who don’t tip still fund businesses. Not tipping makes no impact on the business’s pay scale.

      • @Dasus
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        21 month ago

        Not tipping has no effect on the employer and only punishes the person providing you a service.

        We’re here talking about it

      • @x00z
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        129 days ago

        Tipping only benefits your employer.