Waitress Reveals Declining Tips as Restaurant Costs & Shifting Values Impact Service Industry
BERLIN – A growing trend of reduced tipping is causing concern among restaurant staff in Germany, with 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 recent reports.
Experts confirm the anecdotal evidence. Michael Bauer, a hotel and service specialist, told BuzzFeed News Deutschland by Ippen.Media that sharply increased prices in the catering industry are leading to fewer customers who, in turn, consume less and tip less frequently. He anticipates that the upcoming VAT reduction in January will likely be absorbed by business owners rather than passed on to consumers.
Beyond economic pressures, a shift in attitudes towards service is also playing a role. Bauer notes a “decline in values” within the hospitality sector, particularly among younger generations who ”no longer value service and services; they take it for granted.” He emphasizes the demanding nature of restaurant 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.
The changing tipping culture is further complicated by digital payment methods. A 2025 Lightspeed survey found that 25 percent of respondents feel pressured by default tipping options.
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 explained, adding that this appreciation “is lost in our society.” He also highlighted 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.”
