Blog Posts

Tipping in Australia and New Zealand is rare. Learn why locals don’t tip, when it might be appreciated, and how both countries push back against tip culture.

Tipping in Africa differs by country and industry. Discover when tips are expected, appreciated, or built into tourist pricing across the continent.

Tipping in South America varies by country. Learn when tipping is expected, included, or optional from Brazil to Argentina to Colombia.

Learn the tipping customs across Europe. From France to Germany to Italy, discover where tips are expected, included, or optional.

Learn how tipping culture varies across Asia. From Japan to Thailand, discover why gratuities are often refused and when tipping is appreciated.

Rethinking a Gratuity That Feels Mandatory Pull up to a hotel, restaurant, or hospital, and odds are you’ll be greeted by a valet ready to whisk your car away. But whether you paid for the service or it’s “complimentary,” there’s always one question lingering as they hand you the keys back: Am I supposed to tip? The Social Norms Around Tipping Valets In the U.S., it’s customary to tip a valet $2–$5 per interaction —… Read more: Should You Tip the Valet?

Easy Ways to Figure Out Tips — and Why It Shouldn’t Be This Complicated Let’s be honest: figuring out a tip shouldn’t feel like a math quiz. Yet every day, millions of Americans pull out their phones or ask Siri, “What’s 20% of $37.58?” just to leave a tip that feels socially acceptable. From mental math hacks to built-in tip calculators on apps, we’ve created a whole industry of tools just to navigate an outdated… Read more: Why Do We Still Need Tip Calculators?

And They’re Not Wrong Tipping has long been considered an unspoken rule of American life. You tip your waiter, your bartender, your delivery driver—and in recent years, your barista, cashier, and even your dog groomer. But now, a generational shift is underway. Gen Z is questioning the very foundation of tipping culture—and they’re not wrong to do it. Gen Z’s Attitude Toward Tipping Is Different Born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z… Read more: Gen Z Is Saying No to Tipping Culture

Picture this: you order a coffee, the barista hands it to you, and before you can even take a sip, the iPad swivels toward you. On the screen: three tipping options—15%, 20%, and 25%—with a tiny “No Tip” button tucked away in the corner. The barista is watching. There’s a line behind you. Your heart races. What do you do? Welcome to the modern tipping dilemma: guilt-tipping. What Is Guilt-Tipping? Guilt-tipping is the pressure to… Read more: Guilt-Tipping Is Real — And It’s Wrecking the Checkout Experience

Remember when tipping was reserved for servers at restaurants or your hairstylist? These days, it feels like no transaction is safe from the glowing digital screen asking for 15%, 20%, or even 25%. Whether you’re grabbing a muffin, buying a T-shirt, or simply swiping your card at a self-checkout kiosk, that tipping prompt is right there — and it’s wearing thin on consumers. Welcome to the era of tip creep, where tipping has expanded far… Read more: “Tip Creep” Is Out of Control — And It’s Driving Customers Away

Understanding the Systems Behind Service Pay In restaurants, salons, car dealerships, and corporate sales floors alike, workers earn more than just base pay. Often, they rely on tips or commissions to make up a significant portion of their income. While both are forms of variable compensation, they are fundamentally different systems—and that difference matters for workers, employers, and consumers alike. Let’s break down how tips and commissions work, how they’re applied across industries, and how… Read more: Tips vs. Commissions

Here’s the Hard Truth You place an order online. You drive to the restaurant. A takeout employee hands you a bag. Then—sometimes awkwardly—you’re prompted to leave a tip. But wait… do takeout workers even rely on tips? Are they making a living wage? It’s a question more people are asking, especially as tip prompts have crept into every corner of the food industry. The answer? It’s complicated—and it reveals how unstable and inequitable tipping culture… Read more: Do Takeout Workers Make a Living Wage?

When the check comes, the math begins. Many diners wonder: “Should I tip on the total before or after tax?” It’s a reasonable question—after all, no one wants to shortchange a worker who depends on tips. But this seemingly small dilemma exposes a much bigger problem: Why are we calculating someone’s income based on whether or not we bought an extra soda or paid local taxes? Let’s break down what the current advice says, and… Read more: Should You Tip on the Pre-Tax Amount?

Using a coupon for a discounted meal or service is a smart way to save money. But it also opens up a confusing question: Should you still tip based on the full price? If so, why? And if not, are you being unfair to workers? In America’s tipping culture, the expectation to tip—even when you’ve already received a discount—highlights the cracks in a system that puts the burden of worker pay on customers instead of… Read more: Tipping When Using Coupons: What’s Fair and What’s Flawed?

Here’s Why It Still Matters In a world increasingly dominated by digital payments, mobile apps, and tap-to-pay convenience, one old-school habit still lingers: tipping in cash. But is it still necessary? And does it actually make a difference? The short answer: yes—especially for service workers. Here’s why. Cash Tips Go Directly to the Worker When you tip in cash, the money goes straight to your server, bartender, or delivery driver—no waiting, no processing delays, and… Read more: Should You Tip in Cash?

Americans spent nearly $78 billion on tips in 2023, with tipping rates and dining-out habits hitting new highs. Discover what the latest LendingTree study reveals about tipping trends across the U.S.

Dining at a high-end restaurant can be a memorable experience—white tablecloths, sommelier recommendations, and dishes that look like art. But when the bill arrives, even seasoned diners may pause and wonder: How much should I tip? While tipping is standard in most U.S. restaurants, the etiquette can feel murky at upscale establishments where the service—and the check—are on another level. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach tipping at expensive restaurants and what to consider… Read more: Tipping at Expensive Restaurants: What You Should Know

Rising inflation and tariffs are driving up prices—but what does that mean for tipping expectations? Explore how economic pressure reshapes gratuity norms.

A new Bankrate survey finds 63% of Americans have negative feelings about tipping culture. Here’s what’s driving the backlash—and how Gen Z is changing the game.

A new Forbes article by Gary Stoller lays bare what many Americans have been feeling for years: tipping culture is out of control. Based on a recent nationwide survey, nearly 90% of Americans believe tipping expectations have spiraled beyond reason. The study highlights growing frustration with how tipping has crept into nearly every transaction—often with little transparency and a lot of pressure. At endtippingculture.org, we believe tipping should never be a substitute for a fair… Read more: Americans Say Tipping Has Gone Haywire—Here’s What the Data Shows

State-by-State Survey Reveals the Divide A recent survey from USA Today Blueprint, conducted by OnePoll, reveals major differences in how Americans tip — depending on where they live, how much they earn, and even how old they are. With 5,000 people surveyed (100 per state), the findings are both eye-opening and a reminder of just how inconsistent and unsustainable tipping culture has become. Key Findings National average tip: 17.94% Top tipping state: California (22.69%) Lowest… Read more: Who Tips the Most (and Least) in the U.S.?

A new Business Insider report confirms what many Americans are already feeling: Tipping fatigue is hitting hard—and customers are starting to push back. According to a recent survey, nearly 6 in 10 Americans admit they’re tipping less often or at lower rates than before. This shift isn’t just about being stingy. It’s about being fed up. Why Are People Tipping Less? The study reveals several reasons for this growing resistance: Inflation and higher costs: With… Read more: The Backlash Is Real: Americans Are Cutting Back on Tips — and It’s No Surprise

Small Bill, Big Dilemma A hot coffee, a $9 breakfast, and a friendly “hon”—that’s the charm of a classic American diner. But when your total comes to $11.42, you might find yourself hesitating over the tip. Is $2 enough? Is 15% insulting? Should you be tipping more, even if the meal cost less than a cocktail downtown? Inexpensive diners pose one of the biggest contradictions in tipping culture: Service is the same, but the tip… Read more: Tipping at a Low-Cost Diner

When Is It Required, Encouraged, or Optional? Tipping in the U.S. can feel like a social maze. You’re standing at a coffee counter, takeout window, or valet stand, wondering: Am I supposed to tip? How much? Is it rude if I don’t? The truth is, tipping expectations vary dramatically by industry—and the consequences for workers can vary just as much. In some cases, skipping a tip means denying someone a livable income. In others, it’s… Read more: Tipping Expectations by Industry

A Timeline of Digital Gratuity Prompts in Big Business Over the past decade, tipping in the U.S. has expanded beyond traditional service industries, infiltrating corporate giants like ride-sharing platforms, coffee chains, and fast-food restaurants. This shift has been propelled by digital payment technologies and changing consumer behaviors, leading to what many term “tipflation.” Here’s a chronological overview of how major companies have integrated tipping into their business models: 2014: Starbucks Introduces Digital Tipping In March… Read more: The Rise of Corporate Tipping

Who Really Pays? At first glance, tipping seems simple: you reward good service with a few extra dollars. But behind that small gesture is a system that quietly shifts the responsibility of paying workers away from businesses—and onto you, the customer. Tipping in America isn’t just a custom. It’s a loophole that keeps wages low, business expenses down, and workers vulnerable. So the real question is: Who’s actually paying the cost of service? The Illusion… Read more: The Hidden Cost of Tipping

Tipping isn’t just a national debate—it’s an international one. As more Americans travel abroad, many are surprised to find that tipping practices vary widely across countries—and in many places, they don’t exist at all. While tipping may feel second nature in the U.S., where it’s expected nearly everywhere, the rules change once you leave the country. Understanding local customs not only helps you be a respectful traveler—it can also reveal how broken the American tipping… Read more: Tipping Abroad: What to Know Before You Travel

In recent years, a growing number of restaurants across the United States have experimented with eliminating tipping in favor of paying their staff higher, more consistent wages. This shift aims to address longstanding issues associated with tipping, such as income instability, wage disparities between front-of-house and back-of-house staff, and the perpetuation of discriminatory practices. Case Studies: Successes and Challenges Calissa – Water Mill, New York Calissa, a Greek restaurant in the Hamptons, transitioned to a… Read more: Are No-Tipping Restaurants the Future?

Why It’s Unfair to Lower-Cost Places In the U.S., tipping is almost always calculated as a percentage of your bill—usually 15% to 25%. But have you ever stopped to ask: Why? Why does a $100 dinner earn a $20 tip, while a $10 meal earns just $2—when the server might have done the exact same amount of work? The percentage-based tipping model is not only arbitrary—it’s unfair. And it reinforces a broken system that penalizes… Read more: Does Tipping a Percentage Make Sense?

Walk into almost any coffee shop, takeout counter, or food truck today and you’ll notice a familiar moment: the digital payment screen flips around, presenting you with tipping options—15%, 20%, 25%—often before you’ve received any service at all. What used to be a moment of generosity has turned into a moment of pressure. These pre-set tip screens, built into point-of-sale systems like Square and Toast, are now a flashpoint in America’s growing dissatisfaction with tipping… Read more: Why Pre-Set Tip Screens Are Making People Angry

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… Read more: Should You Tip for Takeout, Coffee, or Self-Checkout?

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… Read more: Tipping in America: A 50-Year Evolution

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… Read more: No Tax on Tips: Benefits and Concerns

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… Nearly two-thirds of… Read more: Tipping in the U.S. vs. the World: A Global Comparison

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… Read more: End Tipping Culture