Ah, tipping. That peculiar dance we do at the end of a meal, after a cab ride, or when we get our hair cut. Even if you’ve been to the U.S. before, you may still find yourself lost in the labyrinth of tipping customs.

But fear not! We’re here to untangle the quirks of tipping etiquette in the U.S. 

The Great Tipping Divide

Tipping is one of those interesting subjects that marks a great divide (albeit a shrinking one) between U.S. and UK culture.

In the UK, tipping is a polite — but optional — gesture. We all know Brits love being polite. It’s practically one of our national sports, and we have a sliding scale of acceptable polite gestures. Tipping falls somewhere above “holding the door for a stranger” or “saying please and thank you” and a little way beneath “undoing your coat and flinging it across a puddle so that a nice lady can step across”. (OK, we don’t really do that anymore.) 

The point is, in the UK we tip because we received excellent service. Usually, a 10–15% tip is sufficient.

Across the pond, however, tipping is more like a mandatory fee — almost a part of the bill itself. Americans tip between 15–25% as standard, and often even more, especially for exceptional service. It’s not just a polite gesture; it’s an unspoken law. 

Forget to tip adequately, and you might as well have left the restaurant with the silverware. Your server will at the very least ask what was wrong with the service. Sometimes (and we’re not making this up) they’ll even chase after stingy customers and insist upon a gratuity.

Tipping Etiquette in the UK vs USA

Let’s get into the specifics. 

In American restaurants, waitstaff often rely on tips to make up a significant portion of their income. Federal law allows for a lower minimum wage for tipped employees. The federal minimum tipped wage, as it’s called, is just $2.13 per hour. That’s less than a tenth of what experts believe is the living wage, or the hourly rate a person needs to afford necessities.

This means your tip isn’t just a bonus — it’s essential. 

This is why you might notice American servers being extra attentive. They’re not just being friendly; their livelihood often depends on it. This is one of the reasons service in the U.S. is (generally) so much better than many other parts of the world. 

In the UK, waitstaff normally receive a higher base wage, and tips are the cherry on top. You won’t see quite as much fanfare from British servers, and they won’t take it personally if you don’t tip extravagantly. It’s a different system with different expectations.

But Do I ‘Really’ Need to Tip? 

Yes.

Sure, it’s a not a legal requirement or anything. But you will find it very difficult to assimilate into American culture if you refuse to tip.

Many Brits and Europeans argue that restaurants/bars/hair salons/hotels/etc. should just pay their staff differently. Yes, they probably should. And yes, “tipflation” has really got out of hand in recent years. Even in the UK, we’re quickly becoming familiar with the sight of an iPad screen being turned ominously towards us to ask how much we want to leave as a gratuity (even for counter service!).

Unfortunately, until American waitstaff are paid a living wage (as they are in some anti-tipping establishments), you are simply going to need to be prepared for much more tipping than you may be used to in the UK. 

Where and How Much Should I Tip?

Now that we’ve established that we absolutely have to tip, let’s look at when to do it and how much. 

This is a bit more complicated. It’s all ruled by manners and unspoken laws, after all. There’s often no hard-and-fast guide for when and how much. 

In general, though, it’s safe to stick to the following:

• Servers in restaurants and bars: 15-20% (at least); if paying for your drink in cash, be sure to give the bartender $1/drink at the very least.
• Food delivery services (UberEats, Doordash, Postmates etc.): 5-15% (more if the weather is bad).
• Hairdressers and barbers: 10-25% (especially if they’ve made you look extra nice).
• Taxis/Ubers/Lyfts etc.: 10-15% (never upset a NYC taxi driver!).
• Hotel housekeeping/ bellman: $1-5 per bag (and be respectful).
• Cafes: Often it’s just loose change. However, being asked to add a tip on an iPad when paying by card is increasingly common. Interestingly, cafes are one of the few places where tipping isn’t absolutely essential. They generally have a different pay structure to bars and diners. The exception is if you order table service, in which case you should tip as you would in a restaurant.

Bridging the Cultural Gap

So, how do you navigate this new tipping culture without causing an embarrassing faux pas? The key is to observe and adapt. When in Rome (or Hollywood, or New York), do as the locals do.

If you’re not sure about tipping, err on the generous side. Watch how others do it. 

And always, always, keep a sense of humour (or humor) about it.