We Asked, You Answered: How (and Why) We Tip in 2025

If you’ve ever found yourself hovering over a checkout screen wondering whether to hit 15%, 20%, or "custom tip," you’re not alone. From morning coffee runs to special dinner reservations, tipping has become an everyday decision—and often a confusing one.

To learn more about how people really feel about gratuity today, we surveyed more than 4,400 people about their habits, preferences, and pet peeves. The results reveal that while some social norms persist, the act of tipping is evolving, guided by quality and effort involved in the service.

 Dining Out: Where Tipping Still Reigns Supreme

Unsurprisingly, restaurants remain the cornerstone of tipping culture. For sit-down dining, an overwhelming 86% of respondents said they leave 20% or more. Only about half a percent said they don’t tip at all in this setting.

However, the tipping landscape shifts dramatically for takeout or quick service. Customers tend to treat counter service differently, reserving their higher tips for personalized, hands-on experiences.

• 35% said they don’t tip on takeout orders.
• 40% said they skip tipping at fast-food restaurants or coffee shops altogether.
• Those who do tip for quick service usually stay under 15%.

The clear difference suggests that for many, tipping is associated with table service, not simply picking up an order.

 A Spectrum of Gratuity: Service-Based Roles

For other service-based roles, tipping can vary widely based on the profession:

• Personal Care: For barbershops and hair salons, around 40% of respondents tip 20% or higher. For nail salons or spas, tipping tends to hover closer to 15%.
• Home Services: Two-thirds (68%) of people said they don’t tip their house cleaner, often because the fee is prearranged or paid directly through a company.
• Professional Trades: Tipping habits for home maintenance and lawn care are even less common. Over 40% of respondents said they never tip for these services, often viewing them as professional jobs with set fees rather than customer service roles.

What Shapes Our Tipping Decisions?

While tipping might feel like a simple monetary exchange, it's often guided by a mix of logic, emotion, and social cues.

The top factor by far is quality of service—a full 90% of respondents said this is a major influence. Yet, many other factors weigh on the decision:

• Quality of the product (33%)
• Relationship with the business or worker (26%)
• Personal financial situation (22%)
• Time of year, such as holidays (18%)

Social dynamics also play a crucial role. Nearly 30% of people said those automatic tip prompts on screens make them feel pressured to leave a little something extra. Interestingly, a focus on transparency can help about 60% of respondents said clear signage (e.g., "Tips go to student staff") would make them more likely to tip.

The Holiday Spirit: Generosity in Season

The holidays don’t just bring cheer—they tend to bring bigger tips. Nearly 45% of people said they’re more inclined to tip generously during the holiday season, often for workers like:

• Waitstaff and café employees (56%)
• Personal care providers (51%)
• Postal and delivery workers (48%)

That said, not all appreciation comes in the form of cash. More than a third (37%) of respondents said they sometimes give gifts instead—whether that’s baked goods, gift cards, or thoughtful tokens of thanks. This is especially common for service providers like teachers or postal employees who may have rules against accepting monetary gifts.

 The Takeaway: Tipping Is Personal

If there’s one thing this survey made clear, it’s that tipping is deeply personal. While there are broad social norms—like leaving 20% for excellent sit-down dining—there is no single "right" answer for every scenario.

Your tipping habits ultimately depend on your budget, and perception of service. Whether you choose to leave a cash tip after a family dinner, round up a delivery order, or give your hairdresser a holiday card, it all adds up to a simple act of appreciation.

With more than 4,000 responses, one sentiment echoed throughout the survey: most of us just want to show gratitude to the people who make our daily lives a little easier.