Waitress Reveals Declining Tips as Restaurant Costs & Shifting Values Impact Service Industry
BERLIN – A growing trend of reduced tipping is causing distress among restaurant workers in Germany, wiht one waitress lamenting she “receives fewer and fewer tips from customers” and is now “happy when someone offers me something to drink.” The decline is attributed to rising prices, changing societal values, and the increasing prevalence of digital payment systems with pre-set gratuity options, according to industry experts and recent surveys.
The rising cost of dining is a significant factor. “Prices in the catering industry have risen sharply in recent years,” explains hotel and service specialist michael Bauer to BuzzFeed News Deutschland. “Guests come less, consume less and also tip less.” Bauer anticipates that the upcoming VAT reduction in January will likely be absorbed by restaurant owners rather than passed on to customers.
Beyond economics, a shift in attitudes towards service is also at play. Bauer notes a “decline in values in the catering industry,” particularly among younger generations who “no longer value service and services; they take it for granted.” He emphasizes the demanding nature of the work, stating, “The people who work in the restaurant in the evenings do hard work. They give up their free time to serve us,” yet often receive only “frustration” in return. This lack of appreciation creates a negative cycle, as service staff are more likely to receive generous tips when they feel valued.
A 2025 lightspeed survey further highlights the changing landscape, revealing that 25 percent of respondents feel pressured by default tipping options in digital payment systems.
Bauer stresses that tipping represents more than just monetary compensation. “Tipping is more than just money – it’s recognition of the work done and the person,” he says, adding that this appreciation “is lost in our society.” He also points to a lack of positive reinforcement from employers, stating, “In Germany there is a foreign word with three letters: praise. such words cost nothing, but they mean everything.”
