Soccer World Cup fans struggle with tipping culture
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The reading
Football supporters attending the World Cup are struggling with the tipping culture in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Many fans come from countries where service charges are included in the price at restaurants and in taxis. However, in the World Cup host nations, tips of up to 20 per cent are expected. If restaurant diners do not leave a tip, the staff can be disappointed. Travelling fans say their budgets are being stretched. They have already spent a lot of money on going to the World Cup. They add that leaving tips makes already expensive food even costlier. Some fans have complained about "tipping fatigue". This is because they are being asked to leave a tip even when buying a bottle of water.
Restaurant staff in the US, Mexico and Canada are also struggling. Tips make up most of their wages. Workers at restaurants in the US can earn as little as $2.13 per hour. They rely on diners to tip. Without tips, staff may not earn enough money to live on. A lot of staff say it is impossible to survive in the hospitality sector without tips. In many host cities, restaurants have automatically added tips to their bills. Restaurant owners say the problem is that many international visitors are unaware of the tipping custom. Some restaurants have asked staff to politely explain the reasons for tipping in North America.
Sources:
- https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/article316235100.html
- https://nypost.com/2026/06/20/us-news/world-cup-tourists-arent-leaving-tips-and-nyc-restaurants-are-fighting-back/
- https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/insight/world-cup-fans-voice-frustration-over-us-tipping-culture/gm-GMF63F5E51
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