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The Tipping Guide: When and How Much to Tip in Common Situations
by www.SixWise.com From tip jars at the coffee shop to those little envelopes
at the hair salon, deciding who to tip, and how much, can
be exhausting. The pizza delivery driver, the host at your
favorite restaurant, the grocery bagger, the list goes on
and on.
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In hotels, it's customary to tip the housekeeper
$2 to $5 per night, or more for long stays.
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Ask anyone who they tip and how much, and you'll get
a different answer every time. There is wild debate
among families -- where grown children may secretly
slip a few extra dollars onto the table to make up for
their parent's out-of-date tips -- and even those in
the service industry as to what constitutes an adequate
tip.
Even the reasons why we tip are up for discussion.
Most people would say they tip to reward a job well
done, or perhaps in the expectation that they'll get
good service in the future.
In reality, according to Cornell professor Michael
Lynn, a tipping behavior expert, quality of service
has very little to do with how people tip. According
to Lynn's research, service ratings impact a tip's amount
by just 4 percent -- similar to the impact a sunny day
has on a person's tipping (sunny days make people tip
more).
Instead, "the major reason people tip," said
Lynn in a CNNMoney article, "is to avoid social
disapproval."
Not Sure How Much to Tip? Here's the Guide
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Generally, you should tip 15 percent to 20 percent
of your bill to waiters and waitresses.
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Because there is so much disagreement about how much
is "appropriate" to tip in common situations,
we've compiled a guide from two prominent sources: The
Emily Post Institute and The Original Tipping Page.
Without further adieu, here are their recommendations
... but remember, these are just suggestions. Your
final decision of who and how much to tip remains up
to you.
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The Emily Post Institute |
The Original Tipping Page |
| Restaurants/Bars |
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| Waiter/Waitress |
15% of bill (excl. tax) for adequate
service; 20% for very good service; no less than 10% for
poor service |
15% to 20% of bill;
if you receive excellent service, if it is a 4-star+ restaurant
or you have a large party, a 20% or greater tip is recommended |
| Bartender |
15% to 20% of the tab, with a minimum of 50 cents per
soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink |
10% to 15% of the bar bill |
| Sommelier, or wine steward |
15% of the cost of the bottle |
15% of the wine bill |
| Coatroom attendant |
$1 per coat |
$1 for one or two coats |
| Parking valet/Garage attendant |
$2 if your car is brought to you |
$1 |
| Parking valet/Garage attendant |
$2 if your car is brought to you |
$1 |
| Washroom attendant |
50 cents to $1 |
50 cents to $1 |
| Daily Life |
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| Taxi driver |
Varies by locality, but 15% should be enough; add an
extra $1 to $2 for help with bags |
15% of fare, no less than 25 cents;
for luggage help, $1 per bag up to 5 bags. $2 per bag
5 bags or more or if bags are very heavy (over 50 pounds
each) |
| Food delivery person |
10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up
to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery. |
A tip of 15% to 20% for large orders such as entire
meals, or when receiving meals from a delivery person
who's traveled to different restaurants.
For pizza, $1-$2 if short distance, $2-$3 for longer
distances, $5 or more for large deliveries.
For carryout, 5% to 10% if they show you the food,
offer complimentary items (plates, napkins, silverware)
and help you carry large orders.
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| Grocery loader |
$1 for bringing bags to car; $1.50 to $3 if you have
more than 3 bags. (Check first to see if tips are accepted.) |
$1 to $5 depending on the load |
| Barber |
15% to 20%, minimum $1, for a haircut. For other services
(shampoo, shave or manicure) tip $1 to $2 to service provider. |
15% of the cost, generally a minimum of $1. For shampoos,
$1 to $2. |
| Hairdresser |
15% to 20%. (It is now acceptable to tip owner, unless
he or she says otherwise.) |
15% of bill |
| Shampoo person |
$2 |
$1 to $2 |
| Manicurist |
15% |
$1 or more, depending on cost |
| Spa service (massage, facial, etc.) |
15% to 20%. If service is provided by owner, no tip. |
10% to 20% |
| Staff at coffee/food shops with tip jars |
No tip required. It's completely optional. |
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| Travel |
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| Skycap at airport |
$1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap
takes bags to check-in counter. |
$1 or more per bag |
| Hotel doorman |
$1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for
hailing a cab |
None for opening door or calling taxi from stand; $1
dollar or more for help with luggage or finding a taxi
on the street |
| Hotel bellhop |
$1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a
$2 minimum if you have just one bag) |
$10 for bringing you to your room with luggage; $5 dollars
for opening and showing the room |
| Hotel housekeeper |
$2 to $5 per night |
$5 a night minimum. More if long stays (over a week);
consider $7 to $9 a night. |
| Hotel concierge |
$5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus
if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask
for directions. |
$5-$10 on average. More for special services or favors. |
Recommended Reading
The
10 Top Dining Etiquette Errors
The
Nine Grossest Things Other People Do That Can Make You Sick
Sources
CNNMoney.com
The
Original Tipping Page
The
Emily Post Institute
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