The Great Tipping Backlash of 2024: Are We Finally Over It?

Let’s be real, fam. Nobody *actually* enjoys navigating the minefield of tipping etiquette. Do you tip the barista who just hands you a coffee through a window? What about the cashier at the deli who just sliced your pastrami? And don’t even get us started on those awkward pre-entered tip screens at the smoothie kiosk.

While the steady stream of outstretched palms might make it seem like tipping culture is here to stay, there are whispers of a rebellion brewing. A recent Bankrate survey suggests that folks (especially us millennials and Gen Z-ers) are getting kinda over the whole tipping thing. So, are we witnessing the dawn of a tip-free utopia? Let’s dive in and unpack what’s really going on with this whole tipping sitch.

Are We Tipping Less? The Trends Say…Maybe?

Here’s the tea: tipping frequency has actually dipped a bit across the board in recent years. But hold your horses before you toss your wallet out the window. This doesn’t necessarily mean we’re all suddenly embracing a “no tip” policy.

Turns out, there’s a bit of a generational divide happening. Gen Z and Millennials, those digital natives who grew up with the internet at their fingertips, are leading the charge against tipping. We’re tipping less often and maybe being a tad more, shall we say, “selective” about where our gratuity goes.

Meanwhile, Gen X and Baby Boomers, the folks who remember a time before smartphones, might grumble about tipping culture, but they’re still whipping out their wallets more often and being more generous with their tips.

Restaurant Tipping: Where Generational Differences Get Spicy

Okay, let’s talk restaurants – you know, those magical places with actual tables and chairs (sometimes even cloth napkins!). Tipping in this realm is practically hardwired into our DNA. I mean, who wants to be *that* person who stiffs the server?

The Bankrate survey found that two-thirds of adults consistently tip at sit-down restaurants. However, zoom in on Gen Z, and that number plummets to a measly 35%. Oof. It seems the younger crowd isn’t as easily swayed by the allure of a bread basket and a smile.

And when it comes to how much we’re tipping, the generational divide becomes even more apparent.

• Only 17% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials typically tip at least 20%.
• On the flip side, a whopping 41% of Gen X and 52% of Baby Boomers consistently drop that 20% or more.

So, what’s behind these differing tipping habits? Well, it’s not just about being cheap (though let’s be real, student loan debt is brutal).

For most of us (like, 64%), the quality of service reigns supreme when deciding how much to tip. However, a small but mighty 10% of folks admit to tipping the same amount no matter what. Hey, consistency is key, right?

Interestingly, the survey also revealed that older adults and women tend to be the most reliable tippers, consistently doling out generous gratuities.