COVID didn’t make America the best tip

As we entered the “endemic” phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, many expected Americans to return to pre-COVID-19 spending habits. So far there have been mixed results.

While more than a third of Americans have pledged to be the best tips in 2020 and 2021 to support those who have lost wages during the pandemic, that commitment does not appear to have been fully realized. Americans are slightly worse at tipping now than they were before COVID-19 hit, according to a new tip survey by CreditCards.com.

“Inflation is reducing consumer purchasing power and a tight job market has left many service businesses without staff and struggling to provide first-class customer service,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com.

Tipping was already a confusing topic, and the pandemic has made it even more confusing. He added that while more than a third of Americans have pledged to be the best tip back in 2021, it appears that sentiment has waned.

And the survey confirmed that hunch, showing that the number of restaurant goers who always tip waiters or waiters in sit-down restaurants is steadily declining, from 77% in 2019 to 75% in 2021 and to 73% in 2022.

Tipping at sit-down restaurants

Since tipping in restaurants seems to be the most appropriate context for this practice, it is useful to use it as a guide in tipping trends. Among those who go to restaurants, here’s what we found regarding tip servers in these settings:

• 73% always tip.
• 14% tip most of the time.
• 9% tip sometimes.
• 4% never tip.

In addition, tipping trends in 2022 still tend to follow the differences we noted between generations and even income levels from our 2021 tipping survey. Our survey found that only 52% of Gen Zers (ages 18-25) who go to sit-down restaurants and 60% of millennials (ages 26-41) always tip waiters in restaurants, compared with 77% of Gen Xers (aged 42 to 41). 57) and 87% of baby boomers (aged 58-76). If you add gender to this, then 78% of women and only 68% of men always tip waiters in restaurants.

And here’s how income levels affect tipping trends:

Average restaurant tips increase with income, from 19% for those with an annual household income of less than $50,000 to 21% for those with an income of $50,000 to $79,999 to 22% for those with an annual household income of less than $50,000. those with incomes between $80,000 and $99,999, and 26% for those with incomes over $100,000.

What does the tip look like for other services?

While most people agree that waiters should be tipped, some aren’t quite sure what to do when it comes to other services. Here’s how often those Americans who use each of the following tips give other service providers:

• Taxi drivers / minibus drivers: 43% always tip, 23% tip most of the time, 21% tip sometimes and 13% never tip.
• Hotel maids: 27% always tip, 21% tip most of the time, 27% tip occasionally and 26% never tip.
• coffee shop barista: 22% always tip, 22% tip most of the time, 33% tip sometimes and 22% never tip.
• Furniture/appliance delivery workers: 17% always tip, 19% tip most of the time, 23% tip occasionally and 41% never tip.
• When receiving takeaway food: 13% always tip, 17% tip most of the time, 30% tip occasionally and 39% never tip.

American adults who use each of these services and say they always tip:

	2019	2021	2022
Waiters in a seated restaurant	77%	75%	73%
Hairdressers/Hairdressers	63%	63%	66%
food delivery people	63%	59%	57%
Taxi / taxi drivers	49%	48%	43%
Hotel maids	27%	28%	27%
coffee shop barista	24%	23%	22%
When receiving takeaway food	N/A	17%	13%
Furniture/appliance delivery workers	N/A	N/A	17%
Home Services/Repair People	N/A	N/A	12%

Key Findings from the Consumer Survey on Tipping

Notable survey results include:

• Men and women about tipping in restaurantsA: Both men and women tip 20% on average, but the average for men is slightly higher (22% versus 20% for women).
• Men versus women in care and delivery services: Women are more likely to tip on both occasions – 70% said they always tip their stylists and only 60% of men said they always tip for grooming services. 62% of women always tip food delivery men, while only 52% of men say they do.
• Suggested tip amounts have some impact, but not most: Among people who have experienced recommended tip amounts (e.g. at a coffee shop, food truck, taxi/rideshare service, etc.), the majority (62%) say their tipping habits are about the same. 26% tend to tip more (7% said a lot more and 18% a little more), while 12% tip less as a result (5% said a lot less and 7% a little less) .
• Northeasterners and Westerners tip more when offered a tip.: 31% of Northeasterners and 31% of Westerners tip more when offered prefilled tip options, compared to 24% of Southerners and 20% of Midwesterners.
• Tipping favors care and food delivery servicesA: Among people who use these services, 66% of people reported that they always tip grooming services, and 57% reported that they always tip food delivery services.

Quick tips on tip etiquette

If you don’t know when and how much to tip, here are some tips to help you:

Do

• Check out tips for tipsA: While you may be confused about the best way to tip, you can find guidance for common scenarios (see the table below).
• Carry cash: Avoid the awkwardness of not being able to tip whenever you want. While some people accept peer-to-peer payments as a last resort, it’s still good to have cash handy for tips.
• Ask for a tipA: If you are not entirely sure about the tip in a particular case, please contact your service provider. A simple “Can I tip you?” can clear up the tipping confusion in most situations.

Not

• Hard for bad service: Tips are often built into the reward structure, especially for restaurant waiters. Consider refusing to tip if you only experience minor service inconveniences.
• Take advantage of the suggested tips: Tips are not needed in all situations. Calling cashiers are an example of when it’s okay to turn down these automated tips. Also, feel free to ignore the tip percentages offered and tip according to your comfort level instead.

Tip forecast for 2022

These tipping tips for common scenarios from national etiquette expert Diana Gottsman can help.

Parameter	service person	Scenario	Tip amount
seated restaurant	Waiter/waiter or bartender who will serve you a full meal at the bar	Drinks and food	Tipping 15% to 20% or more for exceptional service.
Breakfast/lunch restaurant	Staff who fill glasses with water and clean dishes	Self-service buffet	Tipping from 1 to 2 dollars for dinner.
Restaurant	Cash register	Takeaway	Tipping is not required, but a few dollars is a nice touch.
Taxi or rideshare	Driver	Drive	Tipping at least 15% and 20% or more if they help you with heavy luggage.
Grocery or discount store	Employee/customer	Pickup on the road	Most shops don’t allow tipping, but a few dollars is fine if allowed.
Food delivery from a restaurant	Deliveryman	Food delivery to you	Tipping minimum 20% or $5, whichever is greater.
Hotel	Housekeeper	Daily cleaning of your room	Tips are $3 to $5 a day and don’t wait until the end of your stay to tip as the staff changes.

Survey Methodology

CreditCards.com commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise noted, are provided by YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2610 adults. Field work was carried out online from 11 to 13 May 2022.

Ellie Johnson is an award-winning freelance writer covering personal finance, business, and lifestyle issues. She loves to seek out tips, tricks and cautionary tales about credit cards and money.