Take Our Tipping Quiz

iStock.com

1. Where and when did tipping originate?

a. In Europe during the Middle Ages
b. In English pubs during the 17th century
c. In China during the T’ang Dynasty (618-907)

2. When did tipping come to the U.S.?

a. Before 1776
b. Around 1850
c. After 1901

3. How much are people expected to tip for average or normal service in U.S. restaurants?

a. A couple of dollars
b. At least 10%
c. At least 15%
d. At least 20%

4. What percentage of people in the U.S. usually tip restaurant servers?

a. 77 percent
b. 89 percent
c. 98 percent

5. What is the average tip percentage left in U.S. restaurants?

a. 7 percent
b. 11 percent
c. 15 percent
d. 18 percent

6. What percentage of most waiters’ and waitresses’ take-home pay come from tips as opposed to hourly wages?

a. Less than 30 percent
b. About 50 percent
c. More than 90 percent

7. What city in the U.S. has the highest average restaurant tip?

a. Chicago
b. Houston
c. Los Angeles
d. Philadelphia

8. Which of the following has the biggest effect on the size of restaurant tips?

a. Customers’ ratings of the service
b. Paying with credit as opposed to cash
c. Alcohol consumption
d. Server touching the customer

9. In which of the following states was tipping outlawed for a brief time during the early 1900s?

a. California
b. New York
c. Tennessee
d. Texas

10. What does the word for tip in many languages mean when translated directly into English?

a. Bribe
b. Gift
c. Reward
d. Drink money

Source: Michael Lynn, Cornell professor of consumer behavior and marketing

Answers: 1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (d)

Comments