For Americans, tipping is a part of our culture. If you’ve received great service, you’ll have no qualms in giving your server or bartender a few extra dollars. In recent years, there has been a growth in services expecting tips where it seems completely unnecessary. Self-service checkouts are an example; no one is providing you with a service as you are doing it all yourself. If you are fed up with having to tip all the time, here are 18 places you really don’t need to be giving extra.
Gas Station
Most gas stations are self-service; even if they have an attendant, there should still be the option to fill up yourself. In Oregon, a law was passed to order all gas stations to have at least half of their pumps as self-service. If you are filling your car without service from an attendant, there is no need to tip.
Hairdresser
Most hairdressers include service in the final price, so tipping is optional. If you feel that your haircut is worthy of a tip, it won’t be turned down, but don’t feel that you have to.
Hospitals
Healthcare is a service industry, so tipping is not customary. Cash tips to doctors and nurses are also treading on dangerous ground. Hospitals save lives, and tips could be seen as a bribe leading to potential legal problems as it has the potential to affect ethical judgment. Flowers and small gifts such as a box of chocolates are acceptable.
Tradesmen
Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters will have already included everything in their final bill, so it is not necessary to tip. If they are contractors, they will be paid an hourly wage and won’t expect a tip when their work is done.
Flight Attendant
Flight attendants do not expect tips, and in some cases, their employers actively discourage them from accepting them. You also have to consider the origin of the airline you are flying on, as in some cultures, tipping can be seen as an insult.
Self-Service
Tips are usually given when you are provided with a service. In restaurants that have self-service, you are not receiving that service, so there is no need to tip. Some restaurants will have a tip jar, but you do not have to feel obliged to put anything in it.
Fast Food Restaurants
Fast food workers are paid an hourly wage and in the case of California, they are guaranteed $20 an hour. Many fast food restaurants are also moving towards self-service, so there is no need to tip.
Food Trucks
Food trucks are usually personal businesses, and the owners provide you with service. They should factor the cost of service into the prices of their food. Some will have a tip jar on the counter, but it is not mandatory to tip.
Grocery Stores
Grocery store workers are paid an hourly wage, and their company will likely have a policy which stops them from accepting a cash tip. Some self-service checkouts will ask if you want to pay a gratuity, but it is absolutely not necessary to pay for a service that has not been provided.
Public Transport
For some public transport services like subways, you won’t even have the opportunity to tip. For others, like buses, it is not expected. If you take a bus to the airport and the driver helps you with your bags, a couple of dollars is appreciated but not mandatory.
Lawyers and Accountants
Lawyers and accountants do provide a service, but it can be an expensive one. They have already cost up their time and services in their final bill, so there is no need to tip them. One way of showing your appreciation without tipping would be through referring their services to friends and family.
Open Bars
At weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations, open bars are a way for hosts to show their appreciation to their guests. When the host receives the bill, they will pay the tip for the waiting staff and bartenders. You can tip if you feel the service is excellent, but you don’t have to.
Some Delivery Services
It might be tempting to give your delivery driver a gift at Christmas, but some are not allowed to take cash tips. It is certainly not expected for you to tip, and as company policies may get them in trouble, it is best to avoid even attempting to tip.
Gyms
Gym workers are paid an hourly wage, and although you will see them tidying up equipment and cleaning, a tip isn’t required. Personal trainers will have a set fee, so it is not customary to give them any extra cash.
Movie Theaters
For staff at the box office, you shouldn’t tip them as it isn’t expected. For bars inside a movie theater, the staff will expect a tip, but this can be avoided by not using their services. If you are just buying a soda and some popcorn, then it is not obligatory to give anything extra.
Airport Staff
You are not expected to tip staff in an airport, and in some cases, it could get you in a lot of trouble. It might seem obvious, but never attempt to tip security staff or border control officers. It is bribery and, in some cases, could land you in jail.
Takeout Food
If you’re running into a restaurant to pick up food, then you aren’t being provided with personal service by the waiting staff, so there’s no need to tip them. There might be a tip jar in the pickup area, but you don’t have to add anything to it.
Poor Service
The culture of tipping is based on customers being provided with service that goes above and beyond what is expected. It has become more common for customers not to tip if they feel they are not being provided with adequate service. Tipping, regardless of the service you receive, defeats the purpose of providing a tip in the first place. If you feel that your service has been poor, don’t be afraid to not leave a tip.
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