World Cup visitors in the United States have voiced frustration with the country's tipping culture, which adds significant expense to already high food and drink prices. In the United States, many servers and bartenders receive a base wage of just over $2 per hour and are expected to earn roughly 20% of the total bill in tips; in some states the minimum cash wage for tipped employees is as low as $2.13 per hour, with employers required to supplement earnings if tips do not meet state minimum wage standards. England supporter Geoff Pryor said he understood tipping for good service but found it odd to tip for a bottle of water, while Australian supporters Chris O'Flynn and Robert McNamara said high ticket prices and the need to tip have increased their overall costs, describing the practice as a culture shock. Japanese visitor Maiko Asahi said tipping made the already expensive meals unaffordable, and another Japanese fan noted that a $30 meal with a 15% tip could have bought another portion. Bar owner Chris Keller of a Brooklyn football bar reported that European tourists often tip poorly or not at all and has introduced a pre‑pay service charge for reserved customers to ensure staff compensation. Restaurant co‑owner Ann Calimano of Hurley's Restaurant & Bar in New York said conversations are sometimes needed when large parties leave without tipping, noting that service is not included in the price unlike in many European countries. While some operators, such as Wurstküche in Los Angeles, have kept suggested tip percentages between 10% and 20%, industry groups say the reliance on tips remains a core component of server income, and changes to wage structures or tip expectations may depend on future policy decisions.