(NEXSTAR) - Tipping has become quite a controversial topic in the U.S. over the last few years. Whether you're at a restaurant, a cafe, Starbucks, or even a self-service counter at the airport, Americans are being asked to tip constantly.

According to a new report from LendingTree, residents of the U.S. spent nearly $7.8 billion on tips for away-from-home food purchases in 2023. Roughly 15% of the money spent by Americans at the typical sit-down full-service restaurants was on tips.

If you include the new, more unconventional dining places that have been asking for tips lately, like........

© The Hill