World Cup fans shocked by American tipping culture: Even after paying the full amount, they still lose an extra 20%.

According to the New York Post, restaurant owners and service staff in New York City report a sharp increase in customers thanks to World Cup 2026 This significantly improved revenue. However, many tourists from Europe, South America, and other regions are unfamiliar with the tipping culture that is common in the United States.

An estimated 1,2 million fans flocked to the New York-New Jersey area to watch the World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium. Bars and restaurants were packed from early morning until late at night as fans gathered to watch the games and celebrate the victories of their favorite teams.

Louise Daggett, a waitress at McCarthy's Pub in Manhattan, said that most customers are very friendly and enthusiastic. However, quite a few people are confused when they receive the bill and don't understand why they need to leave a tip.

According to her, many groups of customers sat for hours, ordered dozens of beers, and had bills totaling nearly $700 (over 18 million VND) but were unaware of the exact amount. tipping culture in America.

In response to this situation, some restaurants in World Cup host cities such as Kansas City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia have begun automatically adding a 20% service charge to the bill. Supporters of this measure argue that it protects the income of service staff, who rely heavily on tips.

Meanwhile, in many European countries, customers rarely have to tip because workers are not dependent on tips. Therefore, customers often assume that the cost of service is already included in the amount they pay.

Anne Calimano, owner of Hurley's Saloon in New York, says her staff have learned to adapt to this reality. She believes tourists clearly don't tip staff as much as Americans do. However, she attributes this primarily to cultural differences, not because they are stingy.

Nevertheless, most business owners still believe the World Cup has had a positive impact on their business. Many establishments have reported a significant increase in customers during what is usually a relatively quiet period of the year.

Cathal Reynolds, a bartender at Garvey's Irish Pub, believes that fans have already spent a lot of money on airfare, hotels, and soccer tickets before coming to the US. "They spent a lot of money just to be here. I don't really mind the tips."Reynolds said.

However, he also advised tourists to learn about and respect local cultures when visiting the United States. "If you're here, try immersing yourself in the local culture. I think that will make the experience much better.", he said.