Millennials are the worst tippers in America, according to a new survey.
The ‘Me Generation’ is the most likely to stiff servers, with 10 percent reporting that they ‘routinely’ leave no tip, compared to just 3 percent of older Americans.
When they do reward good service, nearly one-in-three Millennials leaves less than 15 percent at restaurants – and one-in-six report that they choose the lowest amount when choosing between suggested tipping options, according to the survey of 1,000 people by CreditCards.com.
Millennials are the most likely to stiff the waiter, with 10.3 percent reporting they regularly leave no tip when they go out to eat. Baby Boomers follow with 4.4 percent saying they don’t tip, compared to 3.6 percent of the Silent Generation and 1.8 percent of Generation X
Among diners age 38 and older, 51 percent say that they normally tip at least 20 percent at restaurants, while only 36 percent of Millennials are that generous.
‘People find that tipping is one of the most stressful and confusing aspects of etiquette today,’ said Julie Sherrier, senior editor. ‘It’s just kind of tricky and awkward because there’s no set standard.’
In fact, more than a quarter (27 percent) of people age 18-37 would prefer to pay higher prices in order to avoid tipping completely. Generation Xers feel the same, with 25 percent reporting they would rather ditch the tip in favor of a more costly meal, compared to just 13 percent of Baby Boomers.
In addition, 25 percent of people with incomes of $75,000 or more and 30 percent of college graduates are in favor of paying more to do away with tipping. Despite that, only 21 percent of Americans, overall, support that idea.
Experts at CreditCards.com said the reason behind what appears to be millennial cheapness could be more nuanced. In other words: Millennials make less money than their older counterparts.
‘Income predicts tipping,’ says Michael Lynn, a tipping expert at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. ‘Older people really prefer tipping.’
Adults age 70 or older are the most likely to leave 20 percent tips – and they’re also the most likely to pick the highest tip amount when presented with a range of options.
‘Many workers rely on tips to generate a large portion of their income,’ said Matt Schulz, a senior industry analyst for CreditCards.com.’ To them, it’s not just about etiquette. It’s about being able to provide for their families and put food on their own tables.’
Men are also less generous than women when it comes to tipping, with more than 46 of the ladies tipping 20 percent, compared to just under 37 percent of men.
Millennials are the cheapest generation when it comes to tipping, with 10 percent reporting they regularly leave no tip whatsoever when they go out to eat
Also more likely to spend less on tipping are Southerners, parents with young children and the less educated.
People from the Southern states are the least likely (less than 38 percent) of any region to tip 20 percent, compared to 47 percent of people in the Northeast, 48.5 percent of Mid-Westerners and just 38.2 percent of Westerners. People from the South were also the most likely (7 percent) to leave no tip.
About 45 percent of the childless tip 20 percent, on average, compared to less than 34 percent of moms and dads.
Those with a high school education or less are the least likely to tip 20 percent, with only 32 percent of those respondents reporting that as their average gratuity. Compare that to those with some college (42 percent) and those with a college degree or more (53 percent).
Overall, nearly 42 percent of Americans tip 20 percent when leaving a gratuity at a restaurant.