Common Tipping Slip-Ups Should Avoid

Tipping has turned into a hot topic lately, especially as cultural norms surrounding tipping in the U.S. have been changing. On social media, you’ll find people expressing their thoughts regarding tipping practices, whether it be shocked, outraged, or just plain confused.

For instance, a DoorDash driver faced termination after expressing frustration with a customer who left a $5 tip on a $20 order. In a video, the driver said, "I just want to say it's a nice house for a $5 tip." On TikTok, one woman shared a video recounting an encounter where she was asked to tip for her Subway sandwich. Then, there’s another woman who couldn't believe she was prompted to tip at a self-checkout at the airport.

But even if you're someone who prides themselves on being generous to service workers, you might still be getting it wrong. With the rules constantly changing, stuff that used to be okay is now seen as rude. To help you avoid any tipping blunders, Best Life, the lifestyle website, consulted etiquette and financial experts for guidance on what actions to avoid when it comes to tipping.

Many people follow the common practice of leaving a $1 tip per drink when at the bar. But, depending on where you're at and what you're drinking, that might not be the way to go, as indicated by their guidelines. One of their experts suggested that if you're at a dive bar on a weeknight and you're getting a $5 pitcher, a dollar tip is considered acceptable. On the other hand, when ordering a mixed drink at a trendy establishment, it's recommended to tip 10%.

Their recommendations also address the issue of tipping with loose change. According to their research, offering tips in loose change is seen as a lack of preparation and effort. They advise using bills or credit for tipping instead.

Some might assume that if a portion or the entirety of their meal is discounted or comped, can get away with not tipping on the full, original amount.  However, their experts disapprove of this practice, emphasizing that it's expected to tip based on the full, pre-discounted amount.

For those who struggle with calculations, opting to write in the total amount for the bill might seem convenient to avoid any confusion for the server. Nevertheless, their experts clarify that leaving the tip line blank can lead to confusion. They suggest completing both the tip and total lines. One of their experts pointed out, "Nowadays, the majority of us have supercomputers in our pockets that can easily compute the tip. Plus, most venues will include either the percentage choices as you check out or they have the percentages included right on the check for you to choose."

Check out their full list of tipping behaviors that may be considered offensive here.