Tipping can feel confusing these days. There are plenty of situations where a tip makes sense, but there are also plenty where you’re being given the option to leave extra money.
In the U.S., tipping has become a normal part of paying for many services, with 10% to 20% often treated as the standard. A Statista survey found that about 41% of Americans said they always tip, while many others said they tip at least some of the time.
At the same time, tip requests have started showing up in places where they weren’t common before. About 63% of people said there are too many places asking for tips, while 48% said they’re tired of being asked for tips, according to USA Today.
That doesn’t mean tipping is bad. Servers, bartenders, taxi drivers, and other service workers often depend on gratuities to supplement their income. But a tip isn’t automatically required every time a payment screen presents the option.
Here are 12 situations where I usually skip the tip.
Fast-Food or Counter Service
Ordering at a fast-food restaurant is pretty straightforward. You place your order, pay, collect your food, and find a place to eat.
Employees are typically paid hourly wages rather than relying on customer tips. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median hourly wage of roughly $12.50 for fast-food and counter workers in 2022.
If someone goes out of their way to help with a special request or provides unusually helpful service, giving a little extra is always your choice. For a standard order, though, I don’t feel obligated to tip.
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Coffee Shops for a Regular Order
Coffee shops are another place where tipping has become increasingly common. A tablet appears at checkout, and suddenly you’re staring at 15%, 20%, and 25% options for a basic cup of coffee.
I don’t see a need to tip every time I order a regular coffee or latte. The employee takes the order, makes the drink, and hands it over, which is already part of the job.
If a barista does something extra or provides particularly thoughtful service, I’ll gladly leave something. A standard drink doesn’t automatically call for a tip, though.
Retail Workers
Retail employees usually earn an hourly wage or salary, and tipping isn’t traditionally part of shopping at a clothing store, electronics shop, or department store.
There are exceptions. Someone who spends a long time helping with a complicated fitting, carrying a large purchase to your car, or providing a specialized service may deserve some recognition, depending on the situation and company policy.
For an ordinary shopping trip, though, I don’t add a tip simply because a checkout screen gives me the option.
Gas Station Attendants in Non-Full-Service States
If you’re pumping your own gas, there usually isn’t a reason to tip someone just because an employee happens to be nearby.
In states where full-service stations aren’t the norm, customers are generally expected to pump their own fuel. Employees at these stations are typically paid their regular wages.
Full-service situations are different. If someone actually pumps your gas, checks your fluids, or provides another service, a small tip can make sense.
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Food Delivery Drivers
This one may surprise some people because tipping delivery drivers is extremely common. I still think it’s important to distinguish between “common” and “mandatory.”
Delivery drivers deal with traffic, weather, parking problems, and the time involved in getting food from the restaurant to your door. A tip is a good way to recognize that work, and I usually tip for delivery.
Still, the amount shouldn’t be dictated by a checkout screen. Customers can decide what feels reasonable based on distance, order size, weather, and the quality of the service.
If a delivery fee is already included, it’s also worth checking where that money goes before assuming the driver receives it.
Self-Parking Garages
If I park my own car, I don’t tip someone simply for being present in the parking garage.
Self-parking is different from valet service. With valet parking, an employee takes your vehicle, parks it, and retrieves it when you’re ready to leave. That’s a service where tipping is customary.
If I’m the one finding a space and walking to the building, there’s no service being provided that calls for a gratuity.
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Drive-Thru Windows
A drive-thru order is another situation where I usually skip the tip.
The employee takes the order, prepares or collects the food, and hands it through the window. That’s part of the normal job at a drive-thru restaurant.
Some restaurants now include tip prompts on their payment screens, which can make customers feel awkward about selecting zero. Still, being presented with the option doesn’t mean a tip is required.
Government Employees
Government workers aren’t typically people you should tip. Postal workers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees are paid through their jobs rather than customer gratuities.
There can also be rules against accepting money or gifts, particularly for employees working in positions where accepting something could create a conflict of interest or look like favoritism.
If you’re unsure, check the agency’s policy rather than handing over cash.
Medical Professionals
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are generally paid for their services through salaries or hourly wages. Handing a medical professional cash after an appointment can also create an uncomfortable situation.
Professional ethics rules and workplace policies may restrict gifts or gratuities, particularly when the gift could influence care or create the appearance of preferential treatment.
The ethical codes to which healthcare professionals are bound are one reason tipping isn’t treated like it is in restaurants.
If you want to thank a healthcare worker, a handwritten note or a small gift that complies with the facility’s rules may be more appropriate than cash.
Grocery Store Baggers
Bagging groceries is usually part of the employee’s regular duties, so I don’t automatically tip for it.
Grocery store baggers can earn hourly wages that vary by location and employer. Some stores also have policies about whether employees can accept tips.
If someone helps load a large grocery haul into your vehicle or provides extra assistance, I might consider giving something. For ordinary bagging at checkout, though, I don’t feel a tip is necessary.
Airline Staff
Flight attendants and other airline employees generally aren’t part of the traditional tipping culture.
According to the BLS, flight attendants had a median annual wage of about $68,370 in May 2023. Their job already includes serving passengers, handling safety procedures, and dealing with all sorts of situations during a flight.
A sincere thank-you is usually enough. Some airlines or employees may have rules about accepting tips, so it’s worth checking before offering cash.
You can also see how airline policies and travel costs fit into the bigger picture in this guide to the 17 Cheapest Places to Travel in 2024.
Self-Service Restaurants
Self-service restaurants are pretty straightforward. You order at the counter, pick up your food, grab your own utensils and drinks, and take your meal to the table.
There isn’t a server bringing food to the table, refilling drinks, clearing dishes throughout the meal, or handling the usual tasks associated with full-service dining.
For that reason, I don’t feel the need to tip simply because a payment screen asks me to.
There will always be situations where tipping makes sense, and there will be times when an employee goes above and beyond and deserves recognition. The problem is feeling like every transaction requires an extra payment.
A tip should reflect the service you received, rather than being an automatic fee added to every purchase. Once you separate customary tipping from optional tipping, those checkout screens become a lot easier to deal with.
