Seattle readers share their takes on tipping
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"Tip fatigue" has spread across America, and Axios Seattle readers are far from unified on what to do when the tipping screen is spun toward them.
The big picture: A 2025 Bankrate survey found that 41% of Americans think tip culture is "out of control" and that request screens actually prompt many Americans to tip less, not more.
What you're saying: We asked readers about their tipping habits and got a wide range of answers.
💳 For some, it's an easy yes.
- "Tipping. Always, all services ESPECIALLY drive through and take out. 20%-25%," wrote reader Nick T.
- "An extra couple of dollars on my order isn't that much for me to pay, but means a lot to someone working for minimum wage," wrote Mev H., who started tipping heavily during the pandemic when people were "putting their health at risk to work" and their child's first job was a tipped position.
- Catherine T., who works in a tipped position, said she typically leaves about 15%.
- "Tips do make a difference on things such as food and bills and people should think about that."
🧾 For others, takeout is different and wage changes have altered the math. Seattle has one of the highest minimum wages in the country, at $21.30, and tips for servers come on top of base pay,
- "Tips are supposed to be for table service over and above cooking the food. Makes no sense to me to tip for takeout. … Now that Seattle servers now make at least minimum wage, I question the entire rationale for tipping within Seattle," wrote Greg S.
- Bill C. said he's worn down by constant prompts. "I'm tired of always being urged to tip. I'm almost embarrassed when I pick up food and the credit card receipt or screen asks about a tip."
- "I am waiting on myself when I buy takeout food."
🤔 Still others approach the screens strategically:
- "I figure if they see I've added 15% they will be good to me. If no tip, well, perhaps I might get shorted on an ingredient or two," wrote Julie S.
- "Here's a hot tip: I always tip for takeout, and it's always $1," wrote Tom S.
Zoom out: Nationally, etiquette experts say, 15%–20% remains standard for sit-down service, while takeout tips are "optional and often smaller" — a couple of dollars or rounding up is perfectly acceptable.
The bottom line: In Seattle, where wages are high and tip prompts are everywhere, takeout tipping comes down to personal choice.
- 🤣 And, no, you don't need to tip us for this article.