Answer: Tipping
Clues: “Reward” and “Gratuity”
The State of Tipping in 2025: America’s Average Tip Is Now 19%
A new poll on the “State of Tipping in the U.S.” looked at why we tip, how much we tip and how disgruntled we are about it.
Here are a few quick stats on America’s tipping habits in 2025:
The average tip is now 18.9%. Men tip a little more, 19.1%. Women a little less, 18.6%.
Millennials are the biggest tippers at 19.5%. Gen Z is next at 19.3, Gen X, 18.2 and Boomers, 16.4%.
What makes us tip more or less? “Quality of service” was the top answer, followed by “how much will it cost me,” “social pressure” and knowing how much the server makes an hour.
79% of us always or usually leave a tip at sit-down places. 63% said the same about fast-food joints, 55% usually tip delivery drivers and 23% even tip when picking up takeout.
Has tipping gotten out of control in the past five years? 71% say yes, it’s “expected too often, and the suggested tips are too high.” Only 9% think the current state of tipping is ideal.
7% of Americans never tip. You could be the best waiter in the world. They’re still drawing a line on that receipt.