Summary
Tipping in U.S. restaurants has dropped to 19.3%, the lowest in six years, driven by frustration over rising menu prices and increased prompts for tips in non-traditional settings.
Only 38% of consumers tipped 20% or more in 2024, down from 56% in 2021, reflecting tighter budgets.
Diners are cutting back on outings, spending less, and tipping less. Some restaurants are adding service fees, further reducing tips.
Worker advocacy groups are pushing to eliminate the tipped-wage system, while the restaurant industry warns these shifts hurt business and employees.
Key cities like D.C. and Chicago are phasing in higher minimum wages for tipped workers.
Refusing to tip does nothing to convince an employer to pay more. It only further exploits an already exploited worker.
If you actually care don’t patronize businesses that have a tipped wage and lobby for a higher minimum wage.
Your advice would require people to drastically change their lives right now. Everything’s tipped.
Telling people to stop tipping requires almost nothing from them.
And yes, it will make things worse for the exploited workers - they’ll have to find new jobs if they’re not happy with their agreed-upon remuneration. But it’s this that will convince the employer to pay more - if they can’t attract staff they’ll have to offer more
Stopping tipping also puts the burden where it should be. You are the one saying your pay isn’t enough (and thus need tipping) - you fight for it yourself.