63% of Americans Have a Negative View About Tipping, with 41% Saying Tipping Culture Has Gotten Out of Control
June 4, 2025
While tipping frequency has generally stabilized after declining for years, Gen Zers and millennials stand out as the least frequent tippers
NEW YORK – June 4, 2025 – Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Americans have at least one negative view towards tipping, up from 59% last year, according to Bankrate’s annual Tipping Survey. The most common negative viewpoints include 41% who say businesses should pay their employees better rather than relying so much on tips, 41% who say tipping culture has gotten out of control and 38% who say they are annoyed with pre-entered tip screens.
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Among U.S. adults who use each of the following services, here is a breakdown of how many people always tip:
| Services | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers at a sit-down restaurant | 75% | 73% | 65% | 67% | 70% |
| Hair stylists/barbers | 63% | 66% | 53% | 55% | 54% |
| Food delivery people | 59% | 57% | 50% | 51% | 52% |
| Taxi/rideshare drivers | 48% | 43% | 40% | 41% | 43% |
| Hotel housekeepers | 28% | 27% | 23% | 22% | 25% |
| Coffee shop baristas | 23% | 22% | 22% | 20% | 18% |
| Furniture/appliance delivery workers | N/A* | 17% | 17% | 15% | 15% |
| When picking up takeout food | 17% | 13% | 13% | 11% | 12% |
| Home services/repair people | N/A* | 12% | 10% | 10% | 9% |
*Note: This category was not surveyed in that particular year.
“While more Americans are complaining about tipping, the frequency of tipping is stabilizing after declining steadily in recent years,” said Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman. “The high cost of living is a headwind, and many people resent all of the tip creep that has occurred in recent years, with us being asked for tips in previously unconventional settings.”
Younger Generations Tip Less Frequently
Among U.S. adults who use each of the following services, Gen Zers (ages 18-28) and millennials (ages 29-44) stand out as the least frequent tippers across various service categories, compared to Gen Xers (ages 45-60) and baby boomers (ages 61-79). The most notable margins are in the following categories:
- Only 25% of Gen Zers and 45% of millennials always tip their hair stylists/barbers, compared with 67% of Gen Xers and 71% of baby boomers.
- Only 43% of Gen Zers and 61% of millennials always tip at sit-down restaurants, versus 83% of Gen Xers and 84% of baby boomers.
- Only 23% of Gen Zers and 36% of millennials always tip taxi/rideshare drivers, compared with 50% of Gen Xers and 61% of baby boomers.
Additionally, just over one-third (35%) of all Americans say they typically tip at least 20% at sit-down restaurants. Only 16% of Gen Zers and 30% of millennials say they tip at least 20% at sit-down restaurants, compared to 40% of Gen Xers and 49% of baby boomers.
Negative Views About Tipping
While older generations are more likely to tip, they are also more likely to hold negative opinions about tipping, with 68% of baby boomers and 66% of Gen Xers having at least one negative view toward tipping compared to 58% of millennials and 57% of Gen Zers.
While 41% of Americans say tipping culture has gotten out of control, the sentiment rises with age. Almost half (45%) of both Gen Xers and baby boomers feel this way about tipping, compared to 32% of Gen Zers and 38% of millennials.
Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) Americans say they are annoyed with pre-entered tip screens, with more than a quarter (27%) saying they tip less or not at all when presented with a pre-entered tip screen, while only 11% say they tip more. Moreover, 27% of Gen Zers, 35% of millennials, 45% of Gen Xers and 44% of baby boomers say they are annoyed with pre-entered tip screens.
Further, the majority of Americans (58%) say the amount they tip is most influenced by the quality of the service, down from 64% last year. Just 10% say they always tip the same amount regardless of the quality of service and 14% are confused about who and how much to tip.
“Tipping is part of the American way of life — it’s not going away anytime soon, as much as we may grumble about it,” said Rossman. “In fact, technology is making it easier than ever for businesses to solicit tips via apps and payment terminals. Encouraging more tips is a way for employers to funnel more money to their workers without having to foot the bill. It’s essentially a way to raise prices without actually raising prices.”
Methodology:
This survey has been conducted using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov Plc panel of individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,277 U.S. adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between April 23-25, 2025. The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards. It gathered a non-probability-based sample and employed demographic quotas and weights to better align the survey sample with the broader U.S. population.
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