this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2025
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To those who live in or who have visited the United States.

Growing up in the 90's, the "minimum acceptable" tip was 10%, average was 15%, and a good tip was 20%. These days, I just round to the nearest dollar and tip 20%, but I've heard these days it's not unusual to tip up to 40%!

What do you usually do?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago

Growing up, and even after working in foodservice, I was always told to tip at least 20% (almost) regardless of service.

There's been maybe two times I didn't tip 20% and the lower tip was definitely earned.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

brazilian restaurants tipically charge a 10% optional service tax, it's up to you to give it or not. my problem with it is that we don't know if it goes to the waiter or the owner cashes it to its pocket.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

~~0%. We do not have a tipping culture, nor will I ever move in the direction of us having one.~~

EDIT: I'm not in the U.S so my answer does not apply

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Usually 20-25% unless the service is inexcusably bad (like 1-5% of the time, and even then I'll tip like 15%). I'll typically approximate 20% and round up to the nearest dollar, then maybe add a dollar or two. I remember 15% being standard with it being acceptable to go down to 10 or up to 20; 18% was sorta my standard at the time, and I'd only go as low as 15%. I've only ever asked to speak to a manager three times that I can remember, and both times were due to what the kitchen sent out to me. I still tipped fully to the server since it wasn't their fault. I was a chef for years, so I know how stressful it gets back there, but there's still no excuse for the dishes I've sent back. There's usually an offer to cook something else, but if I'm sending food back it's because I don't trust the kitchen to send out food that won't give me food poisoning.

Tipped minimum wage here (and therefore all tipped wage) is $2.17/hour. I believe that these businesses should be forced to pay proper wages, but stiffing your server doesn't achieve that. These people are on their feet running around for hours and they usually don't have enough support or leadership to do their job as well as they'd like to, and then they're too exhausted and broke to study or work to break into another industry. We're gonna have a lot of 30-50 year old servers living paycheck to paycheck until their knees and back give out. I'm down with tipping an extra couple bucks so they can get some Dr Scholl's.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

15% typically, more if it warrants it. Food keeps getting more expensive, so the percentage doesn’t have to go up.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I have generally tipped at least 20%. But tipped workers in my state just fought to keep their sub-minimum wage, because republicans convinced them that people would stop tipping if they were paid more. Tipped minimum wage was going up to $6, but now it's only going up to $4.74. I've been tipping too much, and will bring it back down to max 15%.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Typically somewhere between 15-20%. I do a rough mental calculation figuring out 10% by moving the decimal, then either double that or figure out what half of that is and roughly add that amount to the 10% amount, then go with a nice roundish number (to the nearest quarter) in that range. Usually a little higher than my rough estimate for 15% if I’m on that low end just so my rough math doesn’t inadvertently shortchange the server.

I make my calculation based on the total with tax included. I know some people go on the pretax amount.

BONUS: If I’m doing a delivery service like DoorDash, I look up my distance to the restaurant and make sure the tip is always at least equal to the mileage. I used to drive for them and $1/mile was always my minimum. DoorDash at least would typically only kick in $2/delivery, unless there were bonus promos. Since the driver might not be at the restaurant I figure that’s probably enough to get them to the restaurant, then the tip will get them from there to me. Actually, at home my house is several miles from any restaurants, so I usually go $4 above that to make sure the driver doesn’t lose money getting back to civilization. If I’m at a hotel close to restaurants I won’t necessarily do that. If it’s something where I’d like to try to get the best service I’ll go higher; they typically offer the highest pay orders to their top rated drivers first.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Usually 20% and round up the change. Less of there are server issues. A buck or two more if service is super. I don't tip if I'm standing up when i order.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

If i was still there I'd still tip 20% cash preferred. (Card/electronic transactions are more often stolen by management)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

15 pct is what I do now on average. No tip for takeout.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

100-200% depending on how good the service was.

Downside to this is I can't afford to go out as often. :C

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I’m a good tipper, having waited tables before, so usually ~30% but it’s certainly not expected. 20% is the standard tip.

[–] usrtrv 1 points 2 days ago

When I lived in the US, 15%. Now 0%, feels great.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I give $2 for a pizza, $1-2 if I’m picking up to go. Usually I go 15-20% for standard service but rarely tip over $30 a server unless the meal was outstanding.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (6 children)

In the USA: 20%. In Europe: 10%. If service is exceptional or bad, I adjust up or down.

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