Tipping is deeply embedded in American culture and can surprise European tourists. At least a 20% tip is expected in restaurants, where servers and waiters rely on it to supplement their wages. However, it’s not okay to tip employees in these 17 services.
Judges
Judges are prohibited from accepting gifts and tips with monetary value to maintain judicial independence. Bloomberg Law notes, “The Supreme Court has largely exempted itself from ethics regulations that apply to other federal judges” and treats them as guidelines. Other federal judges are subject to Judicial Conference Gift Regulations.
Doctors
Doctors are professionals and are generally paid a relatively high salary, so they don’t have to rely on tips. This convention of not asking for tips will probably not be changing anytime soon in the traditional medical world.
Police Officers
It’s illegal to tip the police, as it could be considered a bribe. Widespread tipping would erode the public’s trust in law enforcement. Police officers caught accepting a tip or gift could lose their jobs, so it’s better to write them a letter of commendation or donate money to a cause in their name instead.
Sanitation Workers
City and municipal rules often prohibit sanitation workers from accepting tips like other government employees. However, during the holidays, you can tip them “$15 to $30 per worker if the same team regularly services your home.”
Nurses
Like doctors, tipping nurses is culturally inappropriate and isn’t allowed in most hospitals. Nurses caught accepting monetary tips can be disciplined for violating their hospital’s policies, but non-cash gifts like cards and baked goods are allowed.
Teachers
Tipping teachers and other school staff is against most school guidelines. Most public school teachers are limited on what they can accept, so if you want to give a Christmas gift, for example, it should probably be worth less than $20.
Firefighters
Most fire departments in America prohibit accepting any form of tips but will accept donations to the department. They usually have a non-profit that can take donations from the public, which can go towards a new medical unit or equipment.
Bus Drivers (Public Transit)
Under municipal rules, most public transit workers, including bus drivers, can’t accept tips. Some tour bus drivers accept tips, but public transit drivers don’t, as their positions are usually salaried with benefits.
Government Office Workers
Like police officers, it’s illegal for government office workers to accept tips. Offering them tips could be seen as an attempt to influence them, which goes against the need for impartiality in government services. Government office workers who accept tips could lose their jobs, so it’s best avoided.
Utility Workers
Most utility workers are full-time employees with benefits and work for companies with strict no-tipping policies. Offering them a soft drink or cup of tea is a better way of showing them appreciation.
Postal Workers
U.S. Postal Service workers are subject to federal laws regarding cash tips and gift cards. They’re allowed to accept a gift worth $20 or less during occasions like Christmas, but it can’t be cash or a cash equivalent.
Airline Pilots
Tipping on commercial flights isn’t an accepted custom, and some airline policies involve actively refusing tips from passengers. It’s accepted on some private chartered flights, but pilots are well-compensated professionals, so they don’t have to rely on tips.
Librarians
Like other public institutions, public libraries typically don’t allow tipping and have a gift limit of under $20. It’s better to show appreciation for librarians with small, non-cash food gifts that don’t violate library policy.
Dentists
Like doctors and nurses, dentists are bound by healthcare ethics and regulations against tipping. Dentists receive high salaries and don’t need to rely on tips, but leaving them a small non-cash gift is usually allowed.
Walmart Employees
It’s against company policy for Walmart employees to accept any form of tip. Their Gifts and Gratuities guidelines page prohibits any employees from accepting tips from customers, and they could face disciplinary action if they do.
Restaurant Managers
Restaurant managers usually receive a regular salary with bonuses, so unlike servers, they don’t require tips to supplement their wages. However, managers can receive tips if they work a shift as a member of the waitstaff.
College Professors
College professors should treat all their students equally, so tipping could disproportionately advantage wealthier students and is banned by most colleges. They also receive a full salary with bonuses, so a small non-cash gift is more appropriate.
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