This survey on tipping is interesting because nobody knows what they are supposed to do. Tipping etiquette used to be an element of American culture, but “tipping culture” wasn’t a thing. With social media, someone says the rules have changed, it goes viral, and becomes part of tipping culture.
Everything you need to know is on this graph.
Two-thirds of the time, people don’t leave a tip at a sit-down restaurant? That is crazy low. Leave a small tip if there is something really wrong with the service. Leaving nothing is just unbelievably cheap. Heck, leave a buck for the person who brings your drink at a Chinese buffet. It’s just a dollar, who cares?
A little over half of the time, people don’t tip the person who cuts their hair. You want that person to have good judgement and engage in pleasant banter. Unless you are never going back, tip 10%. I used to get my hair cut at DFW airport. I don’t know if I ever had the same girl, but I always tipped. I’ve been going to Anita for 30 years and tip her 20% because it’s her job to make me not look too goofy.
Food delivery people get no tip about half of the time. If you are too lazy to make a sandwich, then tip generously.
I am never going to tip baristas or counter help. That’s just a made up thing.