Tipping Culture in the U.S.
Has it Finally Gone Too Far?
It’s often said that tipping in America is optional in name only. Although it’s a voluntary gesture, tipping culture is such that a “gratuity” is almost demanded rather than hoped for.
The idea of tipping waiters and business owners was embraced in the mid-19th century by Americans keen to copy the aristocratic habits of the Europeans. Restaurants were never included in the Fair Labor Standards Acts in 1938, approved by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although they were later added in 1966, restaurateurs were only required to make a “tip credit” to ensure their wage and tips combined met the minimum wage.
Tipping has remained deep-rooted in U.S. society in the restaurant industry. However, tipping culture has extended far beyond food and beverages, as our new survey reveals.
The City-By-City Breakdown
The U.S. city which tips the most is Phoenix, Arizona. In this city, tipping culture is embedded in everyday life. Whether it’s fast-food outlets, coffee shops, corner stores, or even furniture delivery, tipping is commonplace in the Valley of the Sun. In Phoenix, consumers will tip between 15-20% for restaurant service and anything from $5-$20 for discretionary tips for people who go above and beyond for things like deliveries and assemblies.
Almost two-fifths (38%) of Phoenix-based users surveyed said they tip even if the product received is poor, providing they receive good service. The city of Boston ranks as the second-best tipper in the U.S. The majority (54%) of its citizens surveyed said they tip between 11%-20% for good service.
Columbia (South Carolina) and Nashville share the mantle of being America’s third-best tippers. 96% of Nashville residents surveyed said they would tip at least 11% or more for good service. A quarter of residents in Nashville’s Tennessee neighbor, Memphis, said they would stretch to over 50% for good service, which would be considered excessive tipping by many.
To Tip, or Not to Tip?
There is a growing sense among Americans that tipping culture is on the verge of getting out of control as a gesture. Bankrate’s recent survey found that over a third (35%) of respondents felt this way.
There are still several services where most people are prepared to tip for good service. 94% of respondents to our survey said they tip servers for sit-down meals, while four-in-five (80%) of people still tip those who bring food deliveries to their front door.
More than three-quarters (76%) of people still give gratuity to bartenders and 71% of people still tip barbers and hairstylists. In independent cafes, the benchmark appears to lower, with just over half (54%) of people surveyed happy to tip at these establishments.
Worryingly, the amount someone tips appears to dictate how much they should be respected. The issue of tipping culture has woven its way into the fabric of dating. More than half (52%) of survey respondents said they got the “ick” if their date refused to tip over 10% of their bill. It feels that tipping culture is becoming an inherent issue in American society. More than one-in-four (26%) Americans said they tipped their servers because they felt sorry for them due to their low basic wages. Almost a fifth of Americans simply tip as second nature and are prepared to do so even if their experience is a negative one.
Our survey on tipping etiquette also suggests there’s now a distinct generation gap between those who do and don’t tip. Of those born between 1946-1964, over 89% said they tip between 11%-30% routinely. Meanwhile, of those born between 1997-2002, just 71% said they tip between 11%-30% routinely. In fact, almost a quarter (23%) of the youngest demographic surveyed said they tip between 0%-10%.
All of this suggests there are difficult conversations to be had in the coming years over US tipping habits and the evolution of tipping etiquette for future generations stateside.
