Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic upended tipping norms – initially prompting generosity toward essential workers, but later fueling fatigue as digital tip requests multiplied. Now, in 2025, many are asking: What’s the state of tipping today? Are Americans tipping more than before, or has “tip fatigue” made us tip less? As someone who’s sifted through the latest surveys and economic data, I’ll break down the trends and attitudes shaping tipping right now. We’ll cover how average tip percentages have changed (spoiler: restaurant tips are steady around 19-20%[91]), how tipping frequency for various services is shifting, and what people really feel about tipping culture. From the lingering impact of pandemic habits to the backlash against tipflation, let’s explore whether we’re at a tipping point (pun intended) for American gratuity practices.
Post-Pandemic Peak and Plateau
In the early 2020s, there were signs Americans were tipping more generously, spurred by empathy for service workers. Delivery drivers and restaurant staff were frontline heroes, and many customers bumped up their tips as a form of support. Data from Square and Toast (major payment processors) showed tip percentages rising in 2020: – At quick-service (counter) restaurants, the average tip percentage jumped from around 13-14% pre-pandemic up to ~16% by late 2021[91]. – At full-service restaurants, average tips, which historically hovered ~18-19%, ticked up to about 19.4% by 2022[91]. Toast’s index noted that full-service tips remained around 19-20% into early 2024. – For deliveries, anecdotal reports and app data suggested significantly higher tip frequencies – nearly 90% of food delivery orders included a tip post-2020, compared to closer to 75% prior[54]. And the size of those tips increased too, with many customers adding extra $ for the risk and effort of delivery[93].
This was the peak generosity phase. A Bankrate survey in mid-2021 actually found more people said they “always” tipped certain services than in 2019 – e.g., 75% said they always tip their server (up from 72%)[94]. People also reported higher likelihood to tip for takeout and ride-shares than pre-pandemic.
However, by 2023-2024, as life normalized and inflation squeezed wallets, that trend leveled off. Think of it as a wave that crested and then plateaued or even receded slightly: – According to Toast, total average restaurant tip percentages were flat in 2023 vs 2022 – around 18.9%[115]. Full-service held at ~19.4%, quick-service ~16%. So the elevated tip rates stuck, but didn’t keep climbing. – There’s evidence that tipping frequency is slipping for some categories. A 2023 Bankrate poll found the percentage of Americans who “always” tip their sit-down restaurant server dipped to 65% from 75% two years earlier[94]. Similar drops were seen for tipping hairdressers (66% always vs 77% in 2019)[94] and food delivery (less people always tipping delivery in 2023 than in 2021).
What’s behind this slight retreat? Likely tip fatigue and tighter budgets. With inflation around 6-8% in 2022, many cut discretionary spending – and some view tips as semi-discretionary. A July 2023 CNBC report noted about a third of Americans were tipping less due to inflation pressure on their finances. Coupled with annoyance at ubiquitous tip prompts, some consciously reduced how often or how much they tip outside of core situations.
Another interesting stat: While Americans in 2020-21 felt more positively toward tipping (out of solidarity), by 2023 a whopping 66% had negative views on tipping culture[116] (seeing it as out of hand or preferring higher wages instead). That negativity can translate into tipping pushback.
However, it’s not a collapse by any means – more a slight correction: – Always-tippers vs Never-tippers: The vast majority still tip in traditional settings. For instance, Pew found 92% of restaurant patrons regularly tip their server[90] (that hasn’t changed much). The big shifts are in the “sometimes/never” group inching up in secondary categories like coffee shops or ride-shares. – Tip amounts remain higher on average than pre-2020. Pre-pandemic, 20% was seen as generous; now it’s become fairly standard (25% being the new “very generous”). A F&W article noted that even with all the grumbling, few diners actually tip less than 15% at restaurants – only 2% would leave nothing and 10% leave under 15%[66]. Nearly a quarter say they tip 20%+[117]. So those norms solidified. – Young people’s habits: Gen Z and Millennials have been scrutinized – some surveys show they tip slightly less consistently than older gens (perhaps due to lower income or different expectations). For example, only 56% of Gen Z said they always tip waitstaff vs 80% of Boomers[64]. However, interestingly Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to have empathy for low-wage workers and support no-tip wage reforms[118]. Their tipping behaviors might evolve as they age and earn more.
Areas of Decline and Growth
Looking specifically at different service areas: – Restaurants: As covered, average tip percentages up slightly from pre-2020 and stable around 19-20%[91]. Frequency of tipping still very high (90%+). Where there’s a potential decline is in how often people dine out impacting total tip volume – in high inflation, some cut back dining frequency. But those who do go out still tip about the same or a tad more on percentage. – Bars: Tips per drink (like $1 per beer) likely unchanged; bartenders still typically get ~15-20% of bar tabs. One change: more digital payments even at dives, meaning screen prompts at bars which might push some to tip an extra buck or two rather than tossing loose singles. Not huge difference. – Food Delivery & Rideshare: These saw a surge in 2020-21 (with 85-90% tipping rates[54]). By 2024, companies noted tip frequency dipped slightly for ride-shares – Uber in 2023 said something like only ~25% of rides include a tip (which is low, meaning 75% of riders still don’t tip)[54]. Actually, that stat has been consistent – tipping never became majority behavior for rideshare; even though media encouraged it, around 1 in 4 riders tip. That hasn’t dramatically improved, but those who do tip might be tipping a bit more (apps defaulting to say $3-5). Food delivery tipping frequency remains high (~90% include tip[55]), though tip sizes may have normalized (perhaps down from pandemic peaks if people aren’t as guilt-driven now). – Hotels: There was lots of talk about tipping housekeepers given extra cleaning/safety burdens in 2020. It’s unclear if that stuck. Some data suggests still only ~50% of guests tip hotel housekeeping[29] (as was pre-pandemic). There’s now more awareness (Marriott even started putting tip envelopes again), so maybe slight increase. But likely not drastic. – Hair/Nail Salons: Many experienced price hikes lately, and some clients might respond by trimming tip percentage slightly (e.g. tipping 15% instead of 20% since the base price went up anyway). But overall, tipping remains standard. A report in late 2024 said average salon tips were ~20% – consistent with past. – Coffee Shops & Fast Casual: Possibly the biggest change – tipping at these establishments went from a rarity to common due to ubiquitous POS prompts. For instance, pre-2020, tipping at Starbucks was limited to throwing change in a jar (maybe 10% did it). By 2023, with the app now allowing tips and COVID gratitude, more people tip baristas. A Square report said coffee shop tipping frequency jumped significantly in 2020 and many kept doing it out of habit. Though with tip fatigue, I suspect some stopped hitting “15%” on that $5 latte as inflation pinched. So maybe a small retreat, but still way higher than old days. (We see in Pew: 25% always tip at coffee vs 7% in 2017 etc.)[39]. – Industries lacking tipping pre-2020: The push to tip everyone from grocery pickers to retail cashiers – how’s that faring? Probably poorly. Consumers have drawn a line. Only 13% tip for takeout[96]; very few tip retail clerks (and some stores removed prompts after backlash). So in those expansions, we might see a decline or stagnation – they tried, customers resisted, and it plateaued. Meanwhile, one could argue tipping even expanded to new gig fields (grocery delivery, etc. where now tips are expected). So new categories have tips now that didn’t exist pre-2020 (like Instacart shoppers getting 5-10% typically).
Attitudes: Tip Fatigue vs the Social Contract
Public sentiment is conflicted. By late 2024: – 90% feel tipping is expected in more places (tipflation recognized)[18]. – Roughly 2/3 say they have negative feelings toward tipping culture now[116] – they think it’s confusing, overdone, or should be replaced by better wages. – Interestingly though, when asked if they personally have changed their tipping habits: many still claim to tip the same or more since the pandemic. For instance, an Ipsos poll in 2023 found 54% of Americans said they’re tipping more generously than before the pandemic, versus 21% tipping less. Yet actual behavior (like Bankrate data) suggests many are trimming frequency if not amount. Possibly people are embarrassed to admit tipping less, so they don’t report it. – Support for eliminating tipping in favor of higher wages is high – e.g., 74% said they’d prefer service-included pricing so they don’t have to tip[25]. That doesn’t mean they’ll punish a no-tip restaurant (some will actually favor it). There’s a clear appetite for change in principle, yet in practice folks still follow the norms and tip especially in face-to-face situations (social pressure remains strong).
In summary, Americans right now: – Continue tipping strongly in traditional contexts (restaurants, haircuts, etc.), roughly at or slightly above historical percentage norms. – Have become inundated with tip requests, causing annoyance and selective reduction (like skipping tipping on minor transactions or at self-checkout). – Are open to systemic change, though until it happens, they often stick with status quo when a human worker is directly in front of them because social norms are powerful.
The tipping trends in 2025 can thus be described as a mix of generosity and grumbling. People tip a bit more on average than a decade ago, yet they complain about it more too. It’s a fascinating tension.
Conclusion: Where We’re Heading
If the last few years are any guide, we might see: – A slow stabilization of tipping – not drastically higher or lower, but holding around current levels (20% as the golden standard)[91]. – Possibly a further distinction between “must-tip” and “no-tip” scenarios: consumers may become even more assertive about not tipping where they feel it’s undue (e.g., more hitting “No tip” on an iPad for a muffin), but conversely maintaining or increasing tipping in situations they deem appropriate (maybe even overtipping when service is great to feel in control). – Continued debate on eliminating tips: legislative actions like raising the tipped minimum wage in more states could slowly shift reliance on tips downward. If that happens, maybe tipping percentages might even creep down if customers know staff aren’t as underpaid. But that’s speculative and long-term. – Generational change: Younger people who have grown up with tip prompts for everything might either normalize it (just part of life) or lead a backlash to overhaul the system. Too early to tell – surveys show them tipping slightly less routinely, but that could be income-dependent.
For now, as of 2025, Americans are mostly still generous tippers where it counts, even if they do so with a bit more eye-rolling than before. The data paints a picture of tip amounts holding steady (around 19-20%), tip frequency moderately declining in peripheral categories, and overall frustration with how far tipping has spread.
So, are we tipping less or more? Both in a way: – More in amount (slightly) and more categories than years past, – Less in enthusiasm and selective frequency where people can get away with not tipping. The social contract of tipping remains intact for core services, but it’s under scrutiny. One could say the U.S. is at “peak tip.” The next few years will determine if that peak turns into a downfall of the tipping system or simply plateaus as a quirky permanent feature of American life. For now, keep those 20% tips flowing if you want to meet the norm – but don’t be surprised if a digital tablet asks you for 30% next time, and you won’t be alone in quietly muttering “this has gotten out of hand” as you reluctantly oblige or bravely hit “no tip.” The tipping saga continues, one awkward screen prompt at a time.