All articles tagged with #tipping
A DoorDash driver reportedly left a warning note before realizing the customer had a cash tip ready, a clip that’s resurfaced online and sparked renewed debate about tipping norms in the gig-economy and whether tips should be expected or included in base pay.
Americans aren’t typically required to tip for takeout, but tips are appreciated, especially for curbside pickup or large orders. Experts say a 10% tip is reasonable for takeout services, while the 15–20% standard for dine-in isn’t mandatory. Factors like extra packaging work, order checks, and dietary accommodations justify tipping. If you pick up in person, a tip to the preparer is a kind gesture. Online tipping prompts can pressure customers, and some diners skip ordering due to tip expectations, per a Tillster report.
A Defector writer recounts a favorite coffee shop lunch that ends with a shockingly itemized bill—extra charges for poached eggs, fruit substitutions, and small add-ons, plus a mandatory tip—illustrating how modern eateries upsell and inflate the bill.
A Popmenu survey finds 78% say tipping practices have gotten out of hand, with 44% tipping less this year as digital prompts and guilt-tipping pressure grow. Consumers are tipping less across restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, and delivery, and many would rather pay higher prices to eliminate gratuities (56%). While some still tip 20%+ for servers and drivers, those rates have fallen, and a notable share notes they sometimes skip tips for certain services. The trend reflects pandemic-era shifts, inflation, and increasingly ubiquitous tipping prompts.
Waitstaff share unverified, user-submitted stories about celebrities visiting their venues, with a mix of kind and difficult behavior (Drew Barrymore, Dolly Parton, Beyoncé praised; Jake Pauls and Tim Allen cited as rude or demanding), reflecting varied celebrity etiquette as told on Reddit and compiled by BuzzFeed.
A BuzzFeed compilation gathers reader-submitted celebrity tipping stories, highlighting generous tips from stars like John Legend, LeBron James, Dana White and Mary J. Blige, and notable snubs from Oprah and Billie Eilish, showcasing a wide range of tipping behavior across decades.
A CBS News poll reveals that about two-thirds of Americans believe expectations for tipping have increased in recent years, with many viewing it as an added cost rather than a gesture of appreciation, likely influenced by rising prices and costs overall.
The article discusses various aspects of modern consumer services like Uber and airlines, highlighting issues such as surge pricing, the impact of premium payments on queue jumping, the decline of traditional taxi services, and the cultural resistance to tipping. It critiques how these systems are manipulated through pricing algorithms and regulation, and explores broader themes of consumer disengagement and societal manipulation in the digital age.
Delaware has the most generous diners with an average tip of 22.1%, while California has the lowest at 17.3%, according to data from Toast. The national average tip is 19.4%, with full-service restaurants tipping slightly more than quick-service eateries.
Delaware, West Virginia, and New Hampshire have the highest average tips at full-service restaurants, while California and Washington have lower tips. Overall, average tips increased slightly from late 2024 to early 2025, with ongoing discussions in Congress about exempting tips from federal taxes, a move that aligns with previous campaign promises but may have limited impact on workers already paying little or no income tax.
Research suggests that while pressuring customers to tip may increase immediate revenue, it can negatively impact customer loyalty, making them less likely to return in the future.
The article discusses the increasing prevalence and expectations of gratuity requests in various service settings, questioning whether these requests are becoming excessive and exploring the impact on consumer behavior and social norms.
A Bankrate survey reveals a decline in tipping among Americans for hair stylists, servers, and drivers since 2021, attributed to inflation and changing consumer attitudes post-pandemic. Despite some wage increases and economic adjustments, many consumers are tipping less due to financial constraints and a reduced appreciation for service workers. This shift is part of broader changes in consumer spending habits, with some areas seeing reduced spending and others experiencing growth.
A survey by SpotOn reveals that tablet-style payment methods are not significantly increasing tips for servers, with only 8% reporting better tips and 28% saying it hurts their earnings. Many servers prefer cash tips, and the pressure on customers to tip more has led to a perception of "tipflation."
A young man shared on Reddit his frustration over his fiancée's family tipping only $1 after he paid for a $240 meal at a Korean BBQ restaurant. Despite his fiancée understanding his decision to stop paying for their meals, her family reacted negatively, accusing him of being ungrateful and making offensive remarks. The incident sparked a broader discussion on tipping culture and family dynamics, with many Reddit users supporting the man's stance and advising him to reconsider his future with his fiancée.