A recent survey has found that Americans are tipping less during the pandemic, according to FastCompany. A Harris poll revealed that about 19 percent of Americans report tipping smaller percentages now than they did before the virus. Age is a big factor in the results, as the older one is, the less likely it is that tipping behavior has changed. A quarter of those aged 18-34 said they were tipping less, compared to 18 percent for those aged 45 to 54, 14 percent for those aged 54 to 64, and 12 percent for those aged 65 or older. These findings reflect a more general phenomenon that was found before the pandemic, namely that younger people tip less, in part due to the fact that they have less money. (But the earlier study, conducted by CreditCards.com, also suggested that younger people like the whole system of tipping less than older people and would generally pay higher prices if it meant eliminating the practice).

FastCompany noted that the decline in tips during the pandemic could also be at least in part due to the increase in takeout orders, as it has previously been shown that people generally are less generous with tips for delivery than they are at an actual restaurant (perhaps because they don't need to actually see the person bringing them food).