Tipping Troubles in 2025: A U.S. Perspective
Americans Express Concerns Regarding Tipping: 'Uncontrollable,' 'Inadequate Wages' and Other Opinions Shared
Tiptoeing around tipping, huh? Americans sure can't seem to get a grip on this age-old issue. It's a headache! Some situations are clear, yet others leave us confused as a knows-nothing cat in a room full of chess masters.
Take DoorDash, for example. You've ordered your favorite meal, it lands on your doorstep—do you give 'em a tip or wave goodbye? Same goes for the plumber, who fixed that dreaded leak in your bathroom. Shall we show some gratitude, or let it slide? 20%? Over the top?
We decided to find out how Americans felt about tipping in the 2025 landscape. The results? Well, they're not exactly heartwarming. 63% of Americans hold at least one negative view about tipping, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
Though the percentage of consistent tippers has leveled off, it seems we're not tipping our way out of the tradition just yet.
💭 To Tip or Not To Tip: Insights from Our Favorite Finance Site
While tipping may be a touchy subject, it's also a significant part of the economy. That's why we dove deep into the opinions of the tipping masses. What we found:
- Backlash Lingers: 63% of Americans express at least one negative sentiment regarding tipping. This includes views such as businesses should pay their workers better instead of relying on tips (41%), or that tipping culture has gotten out of control (41%).
- Tipping Stalemate: After a pandemic-induced dip, tipping activity seems to have stabilized this year. The survey found no major declines across categories like hairdressers and restaurant servers.
- Age Plays a Role: Tipping frequency increases as you get older. Gen Z and millennials tend to be the least frequent tippers, while Gen X and boomers are more likely to hand over some extra cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 Navigating Tipping's Shifting Landscape
Say goodbye to taxation on tips for those earning less than $150,000 (if the tax proposal becomes law), but remember, this might not be all sunshine and rainbows for service providers. Unintended consequences could arise, such as employers encouraging their staff to be classified as tipped workers and potential stinginess or slow business among customers.
💭 Let's Talk About Tipping Etiquette
The latest tipping guidelines? 18-20% for services requiring effort, like waiting tables, food delivery, hair styling, babysitting, or driving rideshares/taxis. For other services, like housekeeping or shuttle driving, tipping may be recommended as a per-hour or per-task amount. And don't forget to check out this list of unconventional tipping situations and guidelines.
😜 TikTok's Conflicting Tipping Ideas
A scroll through the trending videos on TikTok reveals a diverse range of opinions on tipping, with Gen Zers at the forefront of the debate. Ideas go from tipping solely based on service quality to refusing to tip if the service counter is self-serve. The shift in tipping culture could have wide-reaching implications for businesses and their staff alike.
🔍 The Nitty-Gritty: Research Methodology
Conducted by YouGov Plc, our survey boasts a sample size of 2,445 US adults, reflecting nationally representative results. The data collection period spanned from 29th April - 1st May 2024. The survey utilized both quota upfront during collection and a weighting scheme on the back end to ensure high-quality, accurate data.
- In the shifting landscape of 2025, personal-finance and lifestyle debates often revolve around tipping, with a significant 63% of Americans expressing at least one negative sentiment.
- Navigating the nuances of tipping etiquette is an essential part of personal finance, with the latest guidelines suggesting 18-20% for services requiring effort.
