Americans are “guilt tipping” much less in 2025, according to new research.
The survey explored 2,000 people’s approaches to tipping and found the average respondent spends close to $300 a year tipping more than they’d like to due to social pressure.
Results showed the average person reluctantly tips $24 per month more than they feel is fair due to the pressure or awkwardness of not doing so.
The guilt-induced cost of gratuity adds up to $283 over the course of a year, according to the yearly study conducted by Talker Research.
That figure, however, is a substantial drop from 2024’s tipping pressure tally, with Americans spending $453 in guilt-led tips in 2024, seeing this year’s guilt spending falling 38% in comparison.
The results may suggest the American public is resisting tipping pressures more in recent times; this year’s survey saw respondents “guilt tip” 4.2 times per month on average, versus 6.3 times in Talker Research’s 2024 findings.
A fifth of those studied (20%) say they always or often tip higher because they feel pressured or guilty. Although nearly half (29%) say this is rarely or never the case for them.
Thirty-seven percent of those polled have noticed that the tipping options have moved higher than they used to be, though more people noticed this last year (48% said they noticed the same in 2024).
Is the cost of living impacting tipping levels?
Forty-one percent agree that it’s led to reduced tips. Just 11% say their tipping has increased in 2025.
When asked generally about their tipping in 2025, over a fifth (22%) say they now tip less across the board.
Although a significant number say empathy for workers has contributed to their tipping, 32% said they tip more now specifically to support workers.
And a further eight in 10 (78%) think businesses should pay employees more over relying on tips.
2025 Tipped under pressure/guilt (year) $283.20
2025 Tipped under pressure/guilt (month) $23.60
2025 Times per month ‘guilt tipped’ 4.2
2024 Tipped under pressure/guilt (year) $453.60
2024 Tipped under pressure/guilt (month) $37.80
2024 Times per month ‘guilt tipped’ 6.3
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 9 and May 15, 2025.
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