You’ll Be Shocked at How Much the Typical American Tips in a Restaurant

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Almost all Americans tip when they go to a restaurant, but the amount that people are leaving for their servers may not be what you’d expect. Here’s why. 

Tipping has become a hot-button personal finance issue in recent years, as we’re prompted to leave a gratuity in a growing number of situations. This is thanks to payment apps many stores and restaurants now use to process credit card payments.

While tipping in some circumstances is controversial, most people agree that you should tip your server in a sit-down restaurant. In fact, a Pew survey found 92% of adults either always or often leave a tip when having a sit-down meal. The amount most people tip may surprise you, though.

Here’s how much people typically tip in a restaurant setting

According to Pew Research, a majority of Americans — 57% — tip 15% or less when they go to a sit-down restaurant and have an average meal.

This group of people includes the 2% of Americans who don’t leave any tip at all for waiters and waitresses. By contrast, only a quarter of Americans indicate that they tip at least 20%.

The fact that so many Americans are tipping just 15% or less on their restaurant check may come as a surprise to some people for a few key reasons.

One reason you may be surprised at a 15% tip is that when restaurants add gratuity automatically, they’ll often add 18% to the bill. With the default gratuity coming in at 18%, tipping just 15% is less than what restaurant workers would generally expect.

Plus, many of the apps that restaurants use to process payments include a default tip amount that is higher than 15%. For example, it’s common for the payment device to offer you three options, like tipping 15%, 20%, or 25%, with 20% pre-selected when the device is handed to you. Since 15% is the lowest option, if it’s an option at all, it can feel as if you’re supposed to be tipping more.

In reality, though, these apps are set up to encourage tipping at a higher percentage than the norm for Americans. And the 18% automatic gratuity is applied to recognize the extra work servers are doing and to make sure they’re paid fairly since not everyone wants to leave a big tip on a large bill. After all, if you have a $400 meal, it may seem unreasonable to tip $60 or more. Plus, it’s easy to forget that your server did the equivalent amount of work, or more, as they would have if your party had been split up at separate tables and tipped on separate checks.

How much should you tip in a restaurant?

Whether you are among the majority of Americans who tip 15% or less — or you’re in the minority who tip 20% or more and you’re surprised so many people stick with 15% — the big question is: What is the appropriate tip amount?

Ultimately, you should be dipping into your checking account to tip your server, since they depend on tips to be a part of their wage. And since 15% is what most people are leaving as a tip, the person taking care of you is not likely to be offended or surprised if you leave this amount. You can feel comfortable doing so even if the payment app you’re using prompts you to tip more, since your tip amount is in the typical range.

Of course, if the restaurant has an automatic gratuity policy requiring a tip of 18%, this wouldn’t be an option for you. You’ll have to pay what’s required. And if you received exceptional service, tipping 20% is a good way to recognize and reward your server’s efforts since they went the extra mile to make your time pleasant.

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