Americans Say Tipping Culture is “Out of Control” in New Survey

A new survey reveals that nearly 90% of Americans believe tipping culture has gotten out of hand. The WalletHub report highlights growing frustrations over frequent tipping requests in places where they weren’t traditionally expected, from coffee shops to drive-thrus. As more services include tipping screens, many Americans feel pressured to tip, even when the service doesn’t warrant it.

Once reserved for sit-down restaurants and hair salons, tipping has now spread to a range of unexpected places, including fast-food chains, coffee shops, and even food delivery apps. Respondents have expressed confusion over when it’s necessary to tip and how much to give. More than half of those surveyed admitted that they tip out of social obligation rather than in appreciation for good service, adding to the overall sense of “tipping fatigue.”

Tipping as a Subsidy for Wages?

Many Americans also feel that businesses are increasingly using tips to supplement wages rather than paying employees a fair wage upfront. This sentiment has grown stronger due to rising costs of living, with around 60% of people believing that tipping is being used as a replacement for fair pay. The federal minimum wage for tipped employees remains shockingly low at $2.13 an hour, which only adds to this growing frustration.

The Backlash Against Automatic Service Fees

The survey also revealed that the majority of respondents are against the trend of automatic service fees being added to bills, with 83% saying these fees should be eliminated. As people become more disillusioned with the practice, some are tipping less or skipping the tip altogether when they encounter tipping screens at checkout, especially if they feel the service is minimal.