Fewer and fewer Americans say they are willing to leave a gratuity for various services, according to a recent Bankrate survey – and 37 percent of them believe it is incumbent on businesses to better pay their employees instead of (covertly) taxing customers.
The survey, conducted between April 29 and May 1, shows that 67 percent of adults who frequent table-service restaurants continue to always tip waiters – down from 73 percent last year. The other services for which tipping is virtually semi-obligatory are barbers and hairdressers, who are tipped 55 percent of the time (down from 66 percent twelve months ago), and home food deliveries (51 percent versus 57 percent).
In contrast, less than half of respondents say they leave tips for cabs (41 percent), hotel maid service (22 percent), bartenders (20 percent), furniture/electrical appliance delivery workers (15 percent), and plumbers/electricians (10 percent). Results consistent with the finding that 35% of adults think the tipping culture has become unsustainable.
“Sometimes we tip out of guilt,” Bankrate senior analyst Ted Rossman explained to Business Insider. Gen X (44-59 year-olds) and baby boomers (60-79 year-olds) are more likely to think that the tipping culture is out of control, although the survey found that 78 percent of Gen X and 86 percent of baby boomers, respectively, always leave a tip at table service restaurants.
In contrast, only 35 percent of Gen Z (12-27 year olds) and 56 percent of millennials (28-43 year olds) always leave a tip at restaurants.
Rossman recommended making a priority list of who to tip, especially during the holidays, and stressed the importance of tipping for services such as hair salons, food deliveries, cabs and rideshares, where workers often cover expenses such as gasoline and insurance. Instead, gratuity in cafes, food trucks, or take-out restaurants remains optional.
