What kind of tipper are you? Generous? Stingy? Depends on the service? Now, how old are you? A new survey has found that some generations are a little tight-fisted when it comes to tipping. We’re looking at you, Boomers. Boomers average 16.4%, if they even tip at all, which is more than 2% below the national average of 18.85%. Millennials, on the other hand, tip an average of 19.49% and young Gen Zers who may be on their first job, tip only slightly less at 19.31%. Now … where do you live? Tiny Delaware tips better than any other state in the U.S. at 21.5%, while giant California averages a measly 17.4%.
Speaking of tipping …
You know how it seems like you’re tipping so much more these days? You’re not. Restaurant workers’ pay is outpacing inflation, but gratuities are actually lagging behind inflation. After the pandemic, restaurants had to boost pay to get people to come back to work, just like most industries. And once they raised wages, they found it was basically impossible to lower them. So now, 57% of restaurant workers’ pay comes from tips, as opposed to 65% in January 2020.
Scott's Thoughts:
- Tipping expectations have gotten out of hand, in my opinion. Used to be the only place you tipped was when you had sit down service. Now it is expected even for a to go order, or a cup of coffee.
- I have always believed the tip is based on the service. Good service, good tip. If I don't get a refill on my water/drink without asking, or they drop food and I never see them again, I tip less.
- I once had a boss that would tip generously unless the service sucked or the wait staff had an attitude. Then he would drop a penny in the water glass, which used to be understood to mean the service was extremely bad.