Do you think tipping should be banned? You’re not alone, a new WalletHub survey says.
More than 40% of U.S. consumers said they’d be in favor of a ban on tipping. Philly-area service workers and consumers have shared different thoughts on the subject.
To tip or not to tip? For some consumers, that is not the only question.
A not-insignificant number of people want to know why they are bombarded with prompts to leave gratuities — and would be in favor of an end to tipping altogether, according to a WalletHub’s 2026 tipping survey.
More than two in five U.S. consumers think tipping should be banned, according to the annual online poll released this week. About 81% of the more than 200 respondents said they thought tipping had gotten out of control, a slight decrease from the 90% who said so last year.
Confusion and frustration over tipping culture — particularly the omnipresent digital screen that asks customers to select a tip from preset percentages — has been mounting for years, according to national surveys and conversations with Philly-area consumers.
» READ MORE: Would you tip on a concert T-shirt? Readers respond to our tipping guide.
Some local residents said in 2023 that they’d been asked to tip at concert merchandise stands, canned-beer vendors, and counter-service restaurants.
Patti Zitkus, then 57, said she was prompted to tip after buying a T-shirt at a Culture Club concert in Philadelphia.
“It did shock me a bit,” she said. “I felt it was weird, but I did it. Because they’re standing out there. It’s hot as hell, and some people want you to hold up every shirt.”
How much should you tip?
Service industry insiders have shared their thoughts on the subject, too.
At coffee shops, baristas said 10% was an acceptable tip for lattes and other made-to-order drinks. Bartenders said at least $1 per drink is adequate, and they always appreciate cash. Hair stylists prefer cash, too, they said, and feel 10% to 20% tips are fair, depending on the type of service.
» READ MORE: What Philly baristas, bartenders, Uber drivers, and hairstylists want you to know about tipping
Food couriers urged customers to take distance into account, not just the cost of food, when deciding how much to tip. Couriers said $5 to $10 is considered generous on most orders.
Uber and Lyft drivers, meanwhile, said a couple of dollars is a nice tip but suggest $5 to $10 for more complicated or time-consuming rides, including multistop trips and airport pickups.