How Do Travelers Tip in America?

Are you an average tipper when you travel? A new study from online language learning resource Preply broke down how international travelers tip when visiting the United States, as well as their attitudes toward tipping.

The study found most international travelers do not tip in their home countries, but do feel pressure to tip when visiting the United States, with half feeling they’re judged on their tipping while in the United States. Factors like these have led more than 40 percent of international travelers to view tipping in the United States in a negative light.

While the social expectation is for diners to tip 20 percent for standard service in a restaurant, Preply noted the average tip in the United States more realistically hovers around 16 percent, and international tourists tip even less, around approximately 10 percent. Furthermore, when those international travelers feel service was below average, most said they would tip less than 5 percent or not at all.

As part of the study, Preply also interviewed international travelers regarding their attitudes toward tipping while traveling through the United States. Researchers heard feedback such as “it adds pressure and anxiety” to otherwise relaxed settings, and some travelers felt they were asked to tip in situations where they “didn’t think it was appropriate.”