Americans have hit the tipping point when it comes to tipping, new research suggests. What used to be a simple practice of leaving a gratuity for good service turned into feeling pressured or obligated to tip on a screen for all kinds of transactions we’d never consider tipping for. But new research reveals that people are getting braver about skipping those excessive tips.
A new survey of 2-thousand U.S. adults asks about their approaches to tipping and finds that the average person is still “guilt-tipping” nearly $300 a year more than they want to because of social pressure. That’s still a lot of money, but it’s a lot less than last year’s total.
According to the poll, the average person reluctantly tips $24 a month more than they think is fair because of guilt or the awkwardness of not tipping.
- That adds up to $283 over a year, but it’s a big drop from 2024’s guilt-tipping tally of $453.
- This year, Americans guilt tip an average of 4.2 times a month, down from last year’s 6.3 average of times a month.
- Overall, 20% of respondents say they always or often tip higher because they feel pressured or guilty, but 29% say they rarely or never do.
- More than a third (37%) report that the tipping option amounts are higher than they used to be now.
- In general, 22% say they tip less across the board in 2025, but 32% actually tip more now to specifically support workers.
- And more than three-quarters (78%) think businesses should pay employees more so they don’t have to rely on tips.
Source: Talker