Americans are tipping more often, even if they don’t want to
Americans may be grumbling about the new rules of tipping — whatever those are exactly — but they’re ponying up anyway, new gratuity data from Square show.
Americans may be grumbling about the new rules of tipping — whatever those are exactly — but they’re ponying up anyway.
Figures that the payment processor Square provided to NBC News show the frequency of gratuities at full-service restaurants grew 17% in the fourth quarter last year from the same period in 2021, while tip frequency at quick-service restaurants rose 16%. Restaurants deemed quick-service, like coffee shops and fast-food chains, typically do not offer wait service, the company said.
Square found those tipping increases came on top of gains in the third quarter for both types of establishment.
T.J. Horn, a 41-year-old construction laborer based in Boston, said a 20% tip has been his standard minimum since the lockdown era, even on a $3 cup of coffee.
“It’s just become a common expected thing in my brain,” said Horn, who added that having friends in the restaurant industry softened his outlook on tipping. “I see how much abuse they take on a daily basis.”
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