80% of Canadians say it's inappropriate to tip for takeout and fast food

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More and more businesses are including tip options on their payment terminals, and new poll data finds that customers aren’t happy about it.

Narrative Research surveyed 1,230 Canadians to learn more about tipping practices and what businesses they felt it was appropriate to be asked for a tip.

While restaurants and salons are places most people tip, pretty much everywhere else is questionable, at best.

In fact, takeout at restaurants is near the bottom of the list when it comes to giving a little extra, with more than 80% of respondents reporting it’s inappropriate to be asked for a tip.

Sitting down for a meal at a restaurant got the most support with 77% while hair services followed in second with 60%.

As for how much people are willing tip, Canadians’ opinions varied.

The majority (53%) of restaurant patrons say 15% is what they are willing to tip for good service, while 17% said they tip 5%.

While 24% of Canadians are willing to tip 18% or more at a restaurant, only 19% are willing to give that same amount to their stylist or barber.

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And when it comes to hair salons and barbers, men and women disagree on how much they would tip for good service with 67% of women tipping at their salon compared to 53% of men.

But just like at restaurants, 15% is the average for tipping.

Nearly half of Canadians agree that it’s okay for hotel housekeeping, taxi drivers and third-party food delivery people to ask for tips.

However, just over a third of those surveyed say they’re fine with tipping for ride share apps, cafes and massage services.

As for tipping for takeout, 81% of Canadians found it inappropriate while 79% refused to tip at a fast-food joint.

Retail stores got the least amount with 93% believing it is inappropriate to ask for a tip.

A 2023 poll from Angus Reid found Canadians had reached their tipping point when it came to gratuities.

“Tip-flation,” as the institute dubbed it, reported that Canadians are being asked to tip more — despite service not improving.

The survey at the time found four in five Canadians said they wanted to do away with tipping altogether.