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You may not have had a name for it but, chances are, "tipflation" has creeped its way into your life. It's the idea that tips are becoming more expected at more places and at higher rates than ever before. Life is getting more expensive, and it's not only driven by inflation, it's coming from an ever-increasing demand on handing out money to every professional you encounter.
Whether you're picking up your morning coffee or grabbing a few items at the neighborhood corner store, it's not unusual to see a prompt on the payment screen encouraging you to leave a tip. Sometimes the options are a standard 15% or 20%, but other times, the base starts at 22% and goes up from there. You're tipping in places you never expected, and you're not sure what's appropriate and what goes too far.
Some workers depend on tips — bartenders, servers, and food delivery drivers, to name a few. These employees may have a wage as low as $2.13 an hour, with the assumption that tips will get them to minimum wage and higher. But unless you're interfacing with one of these workers, do you really need to tip?
Want to keep more cash in your pocket? Here are 10 professionals where a tip is really not necessary.
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Plumbers
You are not expected to tip a plumber since they usually receive a salary or hourly rate. And, in many cases, they may not be able to accept your tip, particularly if they work for a large company. That doesn't mean you should never tip, however. If you've hired someone who works for themselves, and they show up after hours or on a weekend, a tip can show your appreciation for them going above and beyond for your emergency situation.
Electricians
Similar to a plumber, an electrician does not expect to receive a tip. They're receiving their salary or hourly rate for their work. But, if you decide to leave a tip for an electrician getting your job done under extenuating circumstances, then 10% to 15% is enough to say thank you.
Cable technicians
While most professionals, cable technicians included, would appreciate a few extra bucks for a job well done, you shouldn't expect that you need to tip the person who installs your cable. Since most of them work for larger cable providers, there's likely a policy in place that prevents them from accepting a tip. Instead, thank them profusely and offer a drink and a snack while they're at your house.
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That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps answer.1 <p class="">Investing in securities involves a risk of loss. Past performance is never a guarantee of future returns. Investing in foreign stock markets involves additional risks, such as the risk of currency fluctuations. Guides are provided by Fisher Investments. The publisher may be compensated when readers request a guide.</p> It is a free guide from Fisher Investments covering what your retirement will really cost, where the cash flow should come from, and how much you can safely withdraw each year. Learn More Here ›
Teachers
This one is less straightforward. No, you should not — and usually cannot — tip a teacher. It would be an unusual situation for a school district to permit teachers to accept tips. But that doesn't mean you can't give them something during the holiday season or at the end of the year. A gift card is usually a way around the no cash policy.
Cashiers
You can generally assume that workers who are at a register rather than working the floor of an establishment are paid a salary. While they would certainly appreciate a tip, it's not expected or even anticipated as part of their pay. Don't feel bad skipping the tip screen if all they did was ring you up (though you can also add a tip if you're feeling generous!).
Fast food workers
Fast food workers are usually paid an hourly wage, and they do not rely on tips as part of their pay. If there's an option to tip and you feel so inclined following great service, the tip is welcome. But a tip at a fast food restaurant is not something that's expected.
Kiosks
You just checked yourself out at the airport kiosk…and now you're being asked to tip? Absolutely not. You do not need to tip a machine.
Doctors
Tipping a doctor is generally seen as unethical, since the doctor should provide the same service to all of their patients. The best thing you can do is leave them a good review and, if you feel they went above and beyond, send them a quick note thanking them for their care.
Accountants
An accountant is often a salaried worker, or even a small business owner, and they do not expect a tip for the work they perform for clients. If they work for a larger firm, it could even be against company policy.
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Lawyers
A lawyer is another professional service that should not receive a tip, no matter how well they did their job. A good review goes further than a tip in their industry, and a referral is the best gift you can give them.
Bottom line
A tip is always appreciated. Whether it's a barista who has your favorite drink on the counter moments after you walk in or a hairdresser who fit you in after hours, a tip is a welcome gesture anytime someone goes above and beyond what's expected of them. But if you were just handed a cookie? Don't feel guilted into tipping just because there's a screen present, especially if you're trying to stretch your restaurant budget. As long as you're dealing with a worker who doesn't rely on tips for their salary, you can simply press "No tip." .
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