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A new survey underscores how “tipping fatigue” is sweeping across the US.About 62% of diners say the amount their expected tip “has become too expensive.”Yet, diners say they love the “control” tipping gives them.
Diners complain more openly today about the pressure to tip amid rising menu prices. But according to a new survey, consumers love the power that comes with tipping.
“Diners report negative feelings about tipping as an idea, but they enjoy the control it gives them. This puts a tension at the heart of tipping: diners quite like exercising a power that, maybe, they feel they shouldn’t have,” according to a tipping report conducted by BentoBox, a website and marketing platform for restaurants.
BentoBox’s survey of 2,500 consumers underscores how “tipping fatigue” is sweeping across the US. A majority also have mixed feelings about tipping.
About 76% of those surveyed said they enjoy tipping because it contributes to a living wage for service employees. But nearly the same percentage of people say restaurants should pay workers better wages “instead of asking patrons to tip.”
“As tipflation sweeps the US, two-thirds of American diners say too many places are asking for tips these days,” the survey reported.
While a majority of diners believe tipping drives better service and flexibility, consumers said they are also feeling more pressure to tip and do not like automated tipping prompts.
About 56% of diners want to choose the tip amount on their own, rather than have someone tell them how much to tip. About 62% say the amount their expected tip “has become too expensive,” according to the survey.
Consumers and service workers have taken to social media to express their frustration on tipping. In May, a TikToker explained how a Ben & Jerry’s worker got upset at her for not tipping on a $2 cone purchase. Her post went viral and sparked a debate on tipping culture, which some people said had gotten “out of hand.”
At the same time, gig workers are accusing consumers of not tipping enough.
Over the summer, a DoorDash driver was booted from the app after he cursed at a woman for tipping $5 on a $20 order.