EndTippingCulture

Author: Jim Roberts

  • Should You Tip for Takeout, Coffee, or Self-Checkout?

    In recent years, tipping has crept far beyond the traditional restaurant table. Now, you’re prompted to tip when grabbing a coffee, picking up takeout, or even using a self-checkout kiosk. The pressure is subtle but real: a smiling cashier hands you a tablet that instantly flips around with suggested tip amounts—15%, 20%, even 25%—before you’ve even taken a sip.

    But should you be tipping in these situations? And more importantly, what does it say about our culture that we’re even asking?

    The Expansion of Tipping Culture

    Traditionally, tipping in the U.S. was tied to full-service dining. A server delivered your food, refilled your drinks, and checked in throughout the meal. In those cases, a 15–20% tip felt logical—especially since servers often earned just $2.13/hour in base pay due to outdated labor laws.

    But now, you’re asked to tip:

    For takeout, even when you place and retrieve the order yourself At coffee shops, even for simple drink pickups At self-checkouts, where there’s little to no human interaction

    This trend is part of what many now call “tipflation”—the rising pressure to tip in more places and at higher percentages than ever before.

    Who’s Actually Benefiting?

    It’s easy to think, “Well, it’s just a few extra dollars—it goes to the workers, right?” But in many cases, tipping is being used as a crutch by businesses to avoid paying their staff a fair, living wage.

    The reality is:

    Baristas, cashiers, and takeout workers may not even be tipped employees legally—meaning they should be earning at least minimum wage without tips. Suggested tip screens often appear before service, creating awkward pressure on customers and giving no reflection of quality. In some businesses, tips are pooled or partially retained by owners, creating lack of transparency about where your money actually goes.

    The Social Pressure to Tip

    Tipping in these casual, low-contact settings has become a social minefield. If you decline to tip, are you cheap? Rude? If you do tip, are you reinforcing a broken system?

    This pressure is especially intense when:

    You’re face-to-face with the employee watching the screen Other customers are waiting behind you The only visible buttons are for 20%, 25%, and “Other”

    Many customers now report feeling guilty or coerced into tipping—hardly the generous, voluntary gesture it’s supposed to be.

    What Needs to Change

    At EndTippingCulture.org, we don’t blame workers or even customers for this awkward mess. We blame a system that:

    Underpays workers Offloads wage responsibility to the public Uses tech to enforce social compliance

    Instead of expanding tipping into every corner of the economy, we believe in:

    Fair wages included in the price Transparency in business costs and employee compensation Removing guilt from the customer experience

    So, Should You Tip?

    The honest answer is: You shouldn’t have to.

    In an ideal system, takeout staff, baristas, and retail workers would be paid enough to live without relying on tips. Until then, it’s up to you whether to tip—but it’s also your right to question why you’re being asked.

    Join the movement to End Tipping Culture.

  • Tipping in America: A 50-Year Evolution

    Over the past half-century, tipping in the United States has transformed from a modest gesture of appreciation to a widespread expectation, permeating various service industries. This evolution reflects broader societal shifts, economic policies, and technological advancements.

    📜 Timeline: Key Milestones in U.S. Tipping Culture

    1970s: Standardization of Tipping Percentages

    Tipping norms solidify, with 10% becoming the standard gratuity in restaurants.

    1980s: Increase in Tipping Expectations

    The standard tip rises to 15%, reflecting inflation and changing service industry dynamics.

    1990s: Expansion Beyond Dining

    Tipping becomes customary in additional sectors, including salons, taxis, and hotel services.

    2000s: Digital Payment Systems Introduce New Norms

    The advent of digital payment platforms introduces preset tipping options, influencing customer behavior.

    2010s: Rise of ‘Tipflation’

    Tipping expectations escalate, with 20% becoming the new norm in many establishments.

    2020s: Tipping Culture Under Scrutiny

    Public discourse intensifies around tipping practices, with debates on fairness and the role of employers in ensuring fair wages.

    📊 Current Trends and Public Sentiment

    Recent surveys indicate a growing discomfort with tipping culture:

    A Pew Research Center study found that 72% of Americans feel they’re being asked to tip in more places than five years ago.  Bankrate reports that two-thirds of U.S. adults have a negative view of tipping, with 30% believing it’s “out of control.” 

    These sentiments reflect a broader concern about the sustainability and fairness of the current tipping system.

    🔮 Looking Ahead

    The future of tipping in the U.S. remains uncertain. While some advocate for the elimination of tipping in favor of fair wages, others believe in preserving the tradition with reforms to address its shortcomings. As the conversation continues, it’s clear that tipping culture is at a crossroads, prompting both consumers and industry stakeholders to reconsider its role in modern society.

  • No Tax on Tips: Benefits and Concerns

    Overview

    In 2024, the U.S. administration and some members of Congress proposed ending federal taxes on tips as a way to support service workers. This new law is making its way through congress and was approved in May 2025. While the idea may sound helpful on the surface, the deeper implications raise important questions about fairness, equity, and the long-term impact on tipping culture in America.

    The Case For No Tax on Tips

    Supporters of the proposal argue that:

    ✅ It Puts More Money in Workers’ Pockets

    Tipped workers often struggle to make ends meet. Eliminating federal taxes on tips could allow them to keep more of what they earn—especially in high-cost areas.

    ✅ It’s a Quick Way to Provide Relief

    Unlike minimum wage increases, which require legislation and business adaptation, a tax cut could offer immediate financial relief for millions of workers.

    ✅ It Recognizes Hard Work

    The proposal is framed as a way to show respect for the service sector—particularly after the pandemic exposed how essential and undervalued those workers are.

    But There Are Serious Concerns

    From a fair wage perspective, removing taxes on tips presents several red flags:

    ⚠️ It Encourages Tipping Dependency

    By promoting untaxed tips as a benefit, the proposal reinforces the flawed idea that tips—not wages—should be the primary source of income for service workers.

    ⚠️ It Lets Employers Off the Hook

    This policy shift could distract from the real solution: requiring employers to pay a full, living wage. It risks prolonging or worsening the subminimum wage system.

    ⚠️ Increases Pressure on Customers

    With tips becoming even more financially important, customers may feel more guilt and pressure to tip generously—regardless of the service or situation.

    ⚠️ Unequal Benefits

    Higher earners in tipped industries (e.g. fine dining) would benefit the most from this policy. It may widen the gap between different types of service workers and overlook those in low-tip or inconsistent jobs.

    What Experts and Advocates Say

    Economic Policy Institute: Advocates for eliminating the subminimum wage rather than subsidizing low pay through tax changes. Service workers’ unions: Warn that tax-free tips could entrench tipping culture and reduce momentum for wage reform. Public opinion: A growing number of Americans support phasing out tipping altogether in favor of upfront pricing and wage transparency.

    Our Position

    At EndTippingCulture.org, we believe in structural reform—not band-aid fixes. While tax relief may help in the short term, it risks delaying the systemic change workers truly deserve: fair, consistent pay directly from employers.

    Tips shouldn’t be taxed—but more importantly, they shouldn’t be necessary.

  • Tipping in the U.S. vs. the World: A Global Comparison

    Tipping practices vary significantly across the globe, reflecting diverse cultural norms and economic systems. In the United States, tipping has become an entrenched expectation, while in many other countries, it’s either minimal or non-existent.

    Tipping in the United States

    In the U.S., tipping is deeply ingrained in the service industry. Customers are expected to tip for a wide range of services, including dining, haircuts, taxi rides, and even coffee shop orders. This practice is largely due to the subminimum wage system, where service workers often rely on tips to supplement their income.

    Nearly two-thirds of Americans have a negative view of tipping culture.

    — Bankrate, 2023

    Tipping Customs by World Region

    The prevalence of tipping has led to discussions about its impact on income stability and power dynamics between workers and customers. For a deeper dive into this topic, see our article on The Rise of Extreme Tip Prompts.

    Tipping Practices Around the World

    Tipping customs vary widely across different countries:

    France: Service charges are included in the bill; leaving a small tip is optional.

    Japan: Tipping is often seen as rude; exceptional service is acknowledged through other means.

    Australia: Workers receive fair wages; tipping is rare. Canada: Similar to the U.S., but there’s a growing conversation about reforming tipping practices.

    For a comprehensive list of tipping customs by country, refer to this article on tipping customs by country.

    Cultural and Economic Implications

    The reliance on tipping in the U.S. contributes to income instability and power imbalances between workers and customers. In contrast, countries with minimal tipping often have stronger labor laws and fairer base pay for workers. This disparity raises questions about the sustainability and fairness of tipping as a compensation model.

    Explore how different countries approach tipping in our article on Tipping Etiquette Around the World.

    Public Sentiment and the Future of Tipping

    Public opinion in the U.S. is shifting:

    56% of Americans prefer wage-based pricing over tipping. Businesses are experimenting with no-tipping models. Policy debates continue on minimum wage versus subminimum wage structures.

    For insights into how businesses are adapting, read our piece on No-Tip Business Models.

    Related Articles:

    Dining & Tipping in the Post-COVID Era: What’s Changed — and What Stays the Same

    State by State: How Tipped Wage Laws Differ Across the U.S.

    No Tax on Tips: Benefits and Concerns

    By understanding global tipping practices and their implications, we can better assess the effectiveness and fairness of our own systems. It’s essential to continue this conversation and consider reforms that promote equity and stability for service workers.

  • End Tipping Culture

    Tipping in the U.S. is out of control.

    72% of Americans say tipping is expected in more places today than five years ago.

    90% say tipping culture has spiraled out of control.

    66% think negatively of the tipping system.

    In Japan, tipping is seen as rude workers are paid well.

    In most of Europe, tipping is minimal or built into pricing.

    In the U.S., tipping has spiraled far beyond traditional norms. What was once a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service has now become an expectation—across nearly every type of business. Since the pandemic, takeout and counter-service transactions have surged, yet customers are still prompted to tip, often before receiving any service at all.

    Tip percentages have steadily increased, with 20% or more now seen as standard—even for minimal interactions. Often establishments are showing 20%-35% as the tipping options on receipts and POS systems. Meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing to eliminate taxes on tips, a move that could further entrench tipping culture and shift even more financial responsibility onto consumers.

    The question is: where does it end?