6 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 9
Analysing 68 million credit-card transactions at 47 chains in 41 states, researchers found average tips fell from 21.30% on weekdays to 20.25% on Saturdays and 20.44% on Sundays.
The paper said busier, more impersonal weekend service may contribute, while outside spending also appears to matter, potentially costing servers $7.50 to $20 a shift and millions nationally.
In more religious counties, Sunday lunch tips dropped more sharply than Monday lunch, and higher weekend box-office takings were also linked to slightly lower tipping.
When weekend budgets are tight, is the server's tip the first thing modern diners decide to sacrifice?
Is the weekend tip slump a quiet rebellion against a tipping culture spiraling out of control?
As 'tip fatigue' worsens, are we seeing the beginning of the end for America's tipping system?