Tipping culture is "out of control," more Americans say in annual poll

LOS ANGELES - We’ve all seen it.

We go to make a quick purchase or pick up a to-go order and the cashier flips that little tablet around and you’re prompted to select from three options: 15% tip; 20% tip or 25% tip. Has tipping culture in America gotten out of control? Many Americans say it has, according to Bankrate’s annual Tipping Survey.

Forty-one percent of U.S. adults said tipping culture has gotten a tad wacky, which is up compared to last year at 35%.

RELATED: 'No Tax on Tips Act' passes Senate: Here's what's next

Tipping based on type of service and generation  

Gen Zers (18-28) and millennials (29-44) actually tip less frequently compared to Gen X34s (45-60) and boomers (61-79), according to Bankrate. 

Depending on the type of service being sought, tip frequency changed between generations. 

By the numbers:

• 25% of Gen Zers and 45% of millennials always tip their hair stylists/barbers compared to 67% of Gen Xers and 71% of baby boomers.
• 45% of Gen Zers and 61% of millennials always tip at sit-down restaurants compared to 83% of Gen Xers and 84% of baby boomers.
• 23% of Gen Zers and 36% of millennials always tip taxi/rideshare drivers compared to 50% of Gen Xers and 61% of baby boomers.

Here is a breakdown over the last five years of how many people always tip depending on the service/product:

What they're saying:

"While more Americans are complaining about tipping, the frequency of tipping is stabilizing after declining steadily in recent years," said Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman. "The high cost of living is a headwind, and many people resent all of the tip creep that has occurred in recent years, with us being asked for tips in previously unconventional settings."

RELATED: With inflation high, some Americans have stopped tipping for these services

Tipping 20% at sit-down restaurants

When it comes to tipping at sit-down restaurants, Bankrate found that over one-third (35%) of Americans said they typically tip 20%. 

Broken down by generation:

• Gen Zers: 16%
• Millennials: 30%
• Gen Xers: 40%
• Baby boomers: 49%

Negative views on tipping

Dig deeper:

Bankrate’s data showed that older generations were more willing to tip, but they were also more likely to have negative attitudes about tipping.

Sixty-eight percent of boomers and 66% of Gen Xers had at least one negative view towards tipping, compared to 50% of millennials and 57% of Gen Zers.

When presented with the pre-entered tip screens at checkout, 2 in 5 Americans said they were annoyed with seeing it and a quarter said they tip less or not at all.

"Moreover, 27% of Gen Zers, 35% of millennials, 45% of Gen Xers and 44% of baby boomers say they are annoyed with pre-entered tip screens," according to Bankrate.