Fans who came to the World Cup in the USA are shocked by American tipping culture

People watch the match between the United States and Australia at Regatta Grove bar in Miami, June 19, 2026. Photo: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Many foreign fans who came to the USA for the FIFA World Cup are shocked by the local culture of leaving tips for waiters, BBC reports.

In the USA, staff at some restaurants and bars earn just over $2 an hour, and they expect customers to leave about 20% of the total bill so they can make a living.

Hospitality workers also shared their dissatisfaction: one bar owner told the BBC that many tourists who came for the World Cup leave poor tips.

Australian fans Chris O'Flynn and Robert McNamara told the BBC that high ticket prices for football matches had drained their finances, and the need to pay tips further increases costs.

"Most Australians here think this way: pay your staff a higher wage. The responsibility for employees receiving good pay should lie with the business, not the customer."

McNamara noted that as guests, they try to adhere to customs, but tipping has become a cultural shock for them.

"They expect tips after every drink, so it quickly becomes expensive. You buy a drink and add another $5. It's hard to understand."

Maika Asahi and her family came from Tokyo to watch the Japanese national team play in Dallas. She told the BBC that they don't leave tips at home. "Prices without tips are already very high, and with tips, it's just too much," said Asahi.

Another Japanese fan, Akihiro, who is traveling with his son, also complained about the high prices.

"Even the cheapest meal at a restaurant still costs about $30, and if you add a tip, say, 13-20%, you end up thinking: oh my god, I could have had another portion for that money," he said.

Banter Bar in Brooklyn, which shows football, hosts many British and European tourists — especially during the World Cup. But they are known for leaving very poor tips, if any at all.

The bar changed its system, so now customers with reservations must pay for drinks in advance, including a service charge.

In Los Angeles, California, the base wage for tipped employees is one of the highest in the country at $16.20 per hour.

Joseph Pitruzzelli, owner of the German-style Wurstküche restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, said they hadn't noticed much difference in tipping habits during the World Cup.

"We keep our [recommended] tips low — around 10, 15, and 20%, but I've seen places that suggest 20, 25, and 30%, which I think is a lot," he said.

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