Under siege for tips? You're not alone, and people are pushing back with lower tips

Demography Unplugged has great data on the average full-service tip has reached its lowest point in six years--and the aggressive demands that got it there.

If the WSJ pays attention, it’s definitely a Thing, and it’s not just in restaurants, the primary subject of the WSJ article. Business Insider says workers in leisure and hospitality also saw a decrease last year of 7% in tips.

Americans are reflecting their frustration with rising prices and being asked to tip at every street corner, and holding back on tips. The average sit-down restaurant tip fell to 19.3% in Q3 2024, a six-year low. Restauranteurs report diners are grumpier about dining out, going out less, and ordering less when they do. And Reddit users are hot on the issue of service charges being added to restaurant bills, another cause of lower tips.

Click to see the causes, from waning post-pandemic empathy to high base prices and just plan customer frustration with being asked to tip by seemingly anyone and everyone.