Podcast Summary: The Ramsey Show Highlights – "Does Dave Ramsey Always Leave A Tip?"

Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network
Guests: Dave Ramsey, Jade Warshaw

In the July 17, 2025 episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, host Dave Ramsey engages in an insightful discussion with Jade Warshaw about the nuances of tipping in today’s society. The conversation delves into when and where tipping is appropriate, the impact of tipping culture post-pandemic, and the ethical considerations surrounding service gratuities.

1. Understanding When to Tip

Jade Warshaw opens the discussion by addressing a listener's question from Jackie in Massachusetts regarding the growing prevalence of tipping screens at purchase points and seeks clarity on appropriate tipping practices for the average person not following Ramsey’s Baby Step Seven.

"Whenever you're in a restaurant situation where you're sitting down, you're placing an order, there's somebody attending to your table, you should always tip. And I think that you should tip between 18 to 20%. That's just me. I'm a 22% tipper."
— Jade Warshaw [00:10]

Jade emphasizes the importance of tipping in sit-down restaurants, recommending an 18-20% gratuity to acknowledge the service provided.

2. Tipping Beyond Restaurants

The conversation extends to other service industries where tipping is customary. Jade highlights professions such as hairstylists and nail technicians as scenarios where tipping is warranted due to the personal nature of the services rendered.

"Somebody who's cutting your hair, someone who's doing your nails or like, involved in your bodily person while they're doing a service, I think that those people also should be tipped again, 15 is a great place to start on that."
— Jade Warshaw [00:52]

3. Situations Where Tipping May Not Be Necessary

Both hosts discuss instances where tipping might not be obligatory. Jade mentions quick service scenarios, such as baristas, where tipping could depend on the quality of service and familiarity with the server.

"It's like, I got my coffee if it was really good and I know the person, and it's like always the same guy or something. I. I might tip them a little bit."
— Jade Warshaw [01:34]

Dave Ramsey adds his perspective, identifying situations like paying for gas at a station's tip jar as non-tippable services.

"If you can flip that screen at me all you want. I'm not tipping. Yeah, no, you didn't do anything."
— Dave Ramsey [02:22]

4. Tipping as a Gesture of Generosity

Dave shares his personal philosophy on tipping, equating it to an act of generosity and often exceeding customary amounts, sometimes to the point of discomfort for his spouse.

"For me, tipping falls in the bucket with generosity. So I overdo it to the point that my wife cringes."
— Dave Ramsey [01:58]

Jade concurs, highlighting that tipping should reflect appreciation for good service.

5. Tipping in the Hospitality Industry

The discussion moves to hotel tipping practices, with Dave describing his routine of tipping maids daily to ensure consistent service appreciation.

"100% of the time I stay in a hotel, I pinch a 20 and I leave it in a standing on the end of the bed when I leave. Every day the maid gets tipped."
— Dave Ramsey [03:37]

Jade supports the practice, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the hard work of hospitality staff.

6. Tipping Valets: Balancing Generosity and Appropriateness

Valet tipping becomes a focal point, especially concerning high-value vehicles. Dave criticizes insufficient tips for valets handling expensive cars, stressing the need for appropriate gratuities based on the value and service provided.

"This guy pulled up in a Mercedes, like $130,000 Mercedes, and he's parking a car with a valet and it's raining and he gives his kid $5. Are you. I mean, come on."
— Dave Ramsey [03:44]

Jade and Dave agree on the importance of tipping valets adequately, especially when they provide exceptional service under challenging conditions.

7. Supporting Service Workers Beyond Standard Tips

Jade introduces a strategy to support service workers who are hustling to get out of debt by doubling their tips when they are aware of their financial struggles.

"If doordash or if Domino's or Marcos or Pizza Hut or whoever shows up at your door with a pizza and you say, how are you doing? And they say, better than I deserve. ... You gotta double their tip."
— Dave Ramsey [06:40]

This approach not only provides immediate financial relief but also fosters a sense of community support for those striving to improve their financial situations.

8. Critique of Manipulative Tipping Practices

Both hosts express dissatisfaction with the introduction of tipping prompts during digital transactions, viewing them as manipulative attempts to extract additional funds subtly.

"The spinning of the iPad is a manipulation."
— Dave Ramsey [08:16]

They argue that these prompts undermine the genuine spirit of tipping by making it an obligatory, rather than discretionary, part of the transaction.

9. Ethical Considerations and Personal Responsibility

The hosts conclude by reinforcing the ethical responsibility of consumers to tip appropriately for services rendered, especially in industries where tips constitute a significant portion of workers' incomes.

"If you can't afford tip, you shouldn't go. Because those people are working for tips. They're working hard, and a lot of them aren't being paid well unless they're tipped."
— Dave Ramsey [05:30]

Conclusion

The episode meticulously navigates the complexities of tipping etiquette, emphasizing generosity where due, recognizing when tipping is not required, and advocating against manipulative tipping practices. Dave Ramsey and Jade Warshaw provide listeners with practical guidelines to navigate tipping scenarios thoughtfully and ethically, ensuring that service workers are fairly compensated for their efforts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Whenever you're in a restaurant situation where you're sitting down, you're placing an order, there's somebody attending to your table, you should always tip. And I think that you should tip between 18 to 20%. That's just me. I'm a 22% tipper." — Jade Warshaw [00:10]

• "For me, tipping falls in the bucket with generosity. So I overdo it to the point that my wife cringes." — Dave Ramsey [01:58]

• "This guy pulled up in a Mercedes, like $130,000 Mercedes, and he's parking a car with a valet and it's raining and he gives his kid $5. Are you. I mean, come on." — Dave Ramsey [03:44]

• "If you can't afford tip, you shouldn't go. Because those people are working for tips. They're working hard, and a lot of them aren't being paid well unless they're tipped." — Dave Ramsey [05:30]

• "The spinning of the iPad is a manipulation." — Dave Ramsey [08:16]

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners seeking to navigate the often perplexing landscape of tipping, balancing personal responsibility with ethical considerations to support service professionals effectively.