Americans saying no to tipping in post-Covid backlash

In Quentin Tarantino’s crime drama Reservoir Dogs, Mr Pink provokes disbelief when he tells his partners in crime that he doesn’t tip. “I don’t tip because society says I have to,” Steve Buscemi’s character says. “This tipping automatically - it’s for the birds.”

More Americans are coming around to Mr Pink’s way of thinking in a country where it is customary to leave a generous wad of cash with the bill.

Surveys over the past year have shown a drop in tipping in the United States. A recent report from financial services company Bankrate found that

66% of United States customers regarded leaving a gratuity negatively, while 30% said it was out of control.

In November, workers in leisure and hospitality jobs, not including restaurant staff, received an average of US$1.28 (NZ$2.06) an hour in tips, down from US$1.38 last year, according to figures from payroll management company Gusto.

Observers said it was a backlash against the widespread tipping during the Covid-19 pandemic. American consumers have complained about being presented with demands for 20% extra in stores where service is minimal.

Professor Jaime Peters, of Maryville University in Missouri, said tipping was “codified” in the US economy through laws that required a low minimum wage.

The federal minimum wage is US$7.25 (NZ$11.67) an hour, but many staff in bars and restaurants are paid only US$2.13 (NZ$3.43) an hour, on the assumption that they earn at least US$30 (NZ$48.30) more a month in tips.

“When we allowed the tipping wage to be codified, it became a way to pay people,” Peters said. She said legislation might be needed to change the minimum wage to stop excessive tipping.