She works hard to provide good service, yet she’s surprised by how many guests leave little or no tip at all. With so much confusion surrounding tipping these days, what is the current etiquette for tipping at restaurants? For that reason, if you’ve received attentive and appropriate service, leaving a tip isn’t optional from an etiquette standpoint. Unless they have worked in a restaurant, many young people simply haven’t been taught how tipping works or why it matters. A thoughtful tip isn’t simply about money; it’s an expression of appreciation for someone’s time, effort, and hospitality.