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

  • @[email protected]
    5•1 month ago

    the exploited are in on it in this case. Because, by federal law, “below minimum wage jobs” don’t exist. You either make minimum with tips, or the employer is forced to pay the full amount. So the problem is wage theft. That is not the concern of the clients, but of the relevant authorities, if the servers bothered to report, of course

    • @[email protected]
      -1•1 month ago

      Try to live off $7.25/hour, let alone raise a family. Servers make even less (~$3 something/hour?).

      This shit is so fucking tone deaf and misguided.

    • @Glytch
      -5•1 month ago

      A very good American.

      • don
        6•1 month ago

        “No! No! My employer shouldn’t be paying me a living wage, the people I serve should be paying me my living wage! My employer is categorically not at all responsible for paying me!”

        — you, a very wonderful person, and a damned good American!

        • @Glytch
          -2•1 month ago

          By continuing to support a business that you know exploits its workers you participate in the exploitation of those workers. Your desire to not pay for services rendered only amplifies said exploitation and does nothing to incentivize its cessation.

          To paraphrase PBS: Exploitation is made possible by customers like you.

        • @[email protected]
          -3•1 month ago

          Dude, read the thread, Glytch is not saying that! Holy shit you people are dense…

          You are supporting the exploitation by using the service in the first place.

          100% of the tip is given to the driver (in the case of delivery apps), and refusing to tip does nothing but directly hurt other working class people.