33% Don’t Tip When Dining Out — 5 Times It’s OK to Skip Entirely

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Tipping culture has become a hot topic since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like everywhere you go, you’re being asked to tip at coffee shops, food trucks, airport self-checkout kiosks, etc. In some cases, it’s in places you may have never been asked to tip before. 

TableAgent explained that the appropriate amount to tip service depends on the type of service you received. Generally, a 15% tip is appropriate if you feel that the service you received is average. However, you should feel comfortable tipping 20% or more if you received excellent service.

With that being said, inflation has gotten out of control and about one-third of diners aren’t tipping these days. “Tip creep” is real, and you may feel pressured to tip more than you’re used to.

It’s important to recognize that there are some situations where tipping isn’t necessary.

5 Occasions That You Can Skip The Tip

Here are five times when it’s acceptable to skip the tip, according to CNBC:

1. When you receive poor service: Generally, tipping for good service is customary. At the same time, if you experienced exceptionally poor service, it’s okay not to tip. Some reasons you may not want to tip in a restaurant are because your waiter never came back to check on your table at all or your server was very rude. Perhaps you received a really bad haircut or the salon seriously messed up your manicure. These are all appropriate scenarios in which to withhold a tip.   
2. When you hire someone to provide a service or task: If you hire a repair person or plumber, for example, you don’t necessarily have to tip them. If someone you’ve hired is being paid an appropriate hourly wage or a salary to perform the job, tipping shouldn’t be obligatory. That’s not to say that you can’t give them a tip if you really want to.
3. When unnecessary fees or double tipping are built in: At places like coffee shops and other quick-service eateries, many times you’ll be presented with the option to tip on a tablet when you’re checking out. You may find that there are service fees on your bill. If tipping feels forced, or built-in, or you feel like you’re being charged unnecessary fees, you can skip the tip.
4. When you buy food via counter service: If you’re picking up an order at a fast food restaurant, grabbing a to-go cup of coffee at your local cafe, or ordering food in person for takeout, tipping shouldn’t feel required. On the flip side, you should tip (when appropriate) if you receive good table service or get food delivered.
5. When you’re at an open bar event: An open bar event means someone else is sponsoring or paying for the bar tab. If you’re invited to an open bar as a guest, feel free to tip the bartender for good service if you want to. But certainly, don’t feel an obligation since it’s more than likely that the person paying for the open bar will include the tip later on.

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