1. Grocery baggers
In some U.S. grocery stores, especially in smaller towns, it’s common to tip the bagger who helps load your groceries into your car. For people from countries where bagging is just part of the store employee’s duties, this feels completely unnecessary.
2. Dog groomers
Pet owners in America are accustomed to tipping their dog groomers after a fresh trim or nail clipping. It’s a way to show appreciation for handling sometimes-uncooperative pups, but foreigners often see this as over the top. After all, isn’t it just part of the job?
3. Bartenders for pouring a drink
In most countries, ordering a drink at the bar is a straightforward exchange. But in the U.S., tipping your bartender isn’t just polite—it’s practically mandatory. Even if all they do is crack open a beer or pour a single shot, you’re expected to leave a dollar or two. For Americans, it’s a way to acknowledge quick service, but foreigners often think, “Didn’t I already pay for this drink?”
4. Hair stylists and barbers
Tipping at the salon is one of those unspoken rules in America. A 15-20% tip is customary for anything from a haircut to highlights. For many non-Americans, this is surprising because they assume the stylist’s fee already includes fair pay. It’s even more shocking for those who come from countries where haggling over haircut prices is more common than tipping.
5. Taxi and rideshare drivers
In many parts of the world, the fare is the fare—no extra cash required. In the U.S., however, tipping your cab driver or rideshare driver is standard. With Uber and Lyft, you’re prompted to tip right in the app. Foreign visitors often wonder why drivers aren’t simply paid better by the companies.
6. Bathroom attendants
Yes, bathroom attendants are still a thing in certain upscale establishments in the U.S., and yes, you’re supposed to tip them. Many foreigners find it strange to pay someone for handing them a paper towel or mints in a restroom. It’s one of those traditions that feels like a relic of the past but still persists in some places.
7. Movers
If you hire movers in the U.S., you’re not just paying for the service—you’re also expected to tip the crew. This can range from $20 per mover to more for particularly difficult jobs, like navigating heavy furniture up several flights of stairs. It’s a way to recognize their backbreaking work, though some foreigners think it should already be baked into the cost.
8. Tour guides
While tipping tour guides isn’t unheard of in other countries, it’s far less common elsewhere than it is in the U.S. Guides often rely on tips to supplement their income, so many Americans instinctively add a few bucks at the end of a tour. Tourists from abroad are often caught off guard, unsure if they’re supposed to follow suit.
9. Delivery drivers
Food delivery apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats make tipping unavoidable in the U.S. In fact, some drivers may even skip your order if the tip isn’t high enough! For foreigners, this is a head-scratcher—shouldn’t the delivery fee already cover the driver’s pay?
10. Valet parking attendants
In the U.S., if someone parks your car, you tip them when they bring it back—typically $2 to $5. For visitors unfamiliar with valet services, it feels like an extra expense tacked onto an already pricey convenience.
11. Hotel housekeepers
Many people outside the U.S. don’t realize tipping your hotel housekeeper is a thing. Americans often leave a few dollars on the bedside table for cleaning staff, particularly for longer stays. It’s a small way to say thanks for fresh towels and a neatly made bed, though some foreigners find it odd that hotels don’t just pay their staff more.
12. Takeout orders
One of the biggest culture shocks for foreigners is seeing tipping jars at restaurants for takeout orders. While there’s no table service involved, Americans often leave a tip to acknowledge the staff’s effort in packing the food. Many visitors don’t understand why they’re tipping for what feels like self-service.
13. Baristas for handing you coffee
Tipping at coffee shops has become increasingly common in the U.S., especially with the rise of those ever-present tablet payment systems that nudge you to leave a tip. While baristas work hard, especially with fancy drink orders, foreigners are surprised to see tipping expected even for something as simple as a black coffee handed over the counter.
14. Wedding vendors
Tipping at weddings is practically a requirement in the U.S. Caterers, photographers, DJs, and even the officiant often expect a gratuity. Many foreigners are stunned at how quickly wedding expenses balloon with all these extra tips factored in.
