SURVEY
OF AMERICAN DINERS FINDS TIPPING HABITS VARY CONSIDERABLY BY DEMOGRAPHIC
Young
adults are more thrifty than older adults and women are less likely than men to
be big tippers
GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 4, 2014) – On average, Americans say they
usually tip 18 percent for good service when
dining out, according to a recent online survey by Harris Poll that was
conducted on behalf of Michelin—a
company known for its tires and celebrated restaurant guides.
According to the survey that
included more than 2,000 U.S. adults, 70 percent of Americans overall say they
usually tip between 15 to 20 percent for good service when dining out, and one
in ten Americans say they typically tip more than 20 percent, with men more
likely to say this than women (12 percent compared to eight percent,
respectively). Thankfully, just one
percent of Americans say they leave nothing for good service.
A closer look at the survey’s
demographics shows that younger adults, more than older adults, say they usually
leave tips well below the national average. Thirty percent of Americans age 18-34 admit
they normally tip less than 15 percent for good service, while only 16 percent
of adults 35 and older admit this in the survey.
Geographically, there are also
differences. According to the survey, diners in the Northeast are more charitable
when tipping than other regions of the country. For example, 22 percent of diners
in the South say they normally tip less than 15 percent. In the West 24 percent
say this, and in the Midwest it is 26 percent. Only 15 percent of Northeast diners
say they tip this sparingly, and the overall average tip among this geographic group
is above the national average at 19 percent.
The Harris Poll survey for Michelin also
asked Americans what was the most they have tipped for good service. Surprisingly,
one in three Americans said they have left 30 percent or more for good service.
In the very big tipper category, 12 percent
of diners say they have left 50 percent or more in gratuity. And while there
were some small differences between men and women in normal tipping habits,
when it comes to the largest tip ever, men are considerably more freehanded
than women. In the Michelin survey, men are more likely than women to have
tipped 30 percent or more (39 percent versus 24 percent, respectively), and men
are also more likely to have splurged 50 percent or more (16 percent versus eight
percent, respectively).
Michelin’s famous restaurant guides
When it comes to dining expertise, Michelin has a long and
storied history in publishing guides with restaurant advice. The company’s
founders, brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin, created their first travel guide
with dining and hotel recommendations in 1900 to promote early automobile travel
and thereby sell more tires. Today, the Michelin Red Guide is recognized
internationally as the standard for restaurant and hotel information. The
Michelin Red Guide is published in 23 countries, covering three continents.
Survey
Methodology
This survey was conducted
online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Michelin from December
11-13, 2013 among 2,019 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not
based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling
error can be calculated.
About Michelin
Dedicated to the improvement of
sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every
type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm
equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The company also publishes travel
guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville,
S.C., Michelin North America employs more than 22,000 people and operates
19 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.
The amazing Pigalle restaurant where I have left a few tips in my time!!
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