How to Tip Properly
Tipping rewards those who provide useful services that make your life easier and more enjoyable. Be discreet when you tip, and be generous--you'll be remembered long after your departure and welcomed back enthusiastically. See also How to Tip Properly in North America and How to Tip in a Foreign Country.
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Instructions
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Factor in your own financial circumstances. There are high ends and low ends to the range of acceptable tips. But you can't go breaking the bank just to pay for good service, so knowing your capability is primary.
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Figure out what kind of service it is you're receiving. Some services should receive percentage-based tips, while others are more of a flat cost (most of the time). A car washer, coat checker or furniture movers should require a flat rate. From $2-$5 for a car washer to $10-$50 per mover. Other people like hairstylists and waiters should receive 15 percent to 20 percent, sometimes more. Pizza delivery service is usually about 10 percent, but no less than $2.
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Use your best judgment. What's the real different between, say, 15 percent and 20 percent, when it means a matter of a dollar? Well, it says a lot to the person who you're tipping. The additional dollar (or one fewer) tells them how they're doing. You're essentially helping others' future experiences with that person. For things like babysitters, nannies or house cleaners, tip them at the end of each month at an amount you see fit. No more than one week's pay for a month of work, but the work they do is constant and not easy, so they do deserve a heftier tip. So, keep things like that in mind.
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Be discreet. Don't flaunt how much you're tipping someone at a restaurant by living the bill in plain view. If you're paying for a household service, placing the tip in an envelope is a good idea. Basically, you want to keep the tip transaction -- good or bad -- between you and the person receiving the tip.
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Comments
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paul777
Jul 15, 2010
This is very insightful. I always thought assumed minimum wage was just that. But it seems in many cases, companies are using the knowledge that most people will leave a tip, as an excuse to pay below minimum. Disgusting. As a patron, if I tip, I always believe the amount I leave is added onto low / minimum wage, making the net wage more livable. But companies depending on their customers to look after their employees basic needs, is terrible and reprehensible. If I could afford I'd open my own restaurant and then poach good servers from all the places that chose to abuse their employees, then set up in direct competition, right under their noses. If I ever get rich, I'm doing this! -
eds13
Nov 19, 2009
wow! This artical is really low balling it aye? It is funny i happened to read this. I am a manager of an upper-tier restaurant and i just asked the owners if we could give our servers a raise. WHY you may ask, because they make $3 an hour, and people are not tipping like they use to. Keep in mind that tip is not just for your server, they have to tip out a mandtory percent of their sales (NOT TIPS) to the bartender, host, busser, food runner. If you leave 20% tip that server only gets 13% if you leave less they get less, if you stiff them that server has to take money out of their own pocket to tip the noted above. I am sick of reading articals saying 15% my 90 year old grandfather doesn't even leave a meer 15%. Come on folks, this is AMERICA. I guess with more articals such as this i will have to give our servers a raise, i mean they have to pay thier bills too.
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txconfused
May 07, 2009
when figuring out how much to tip, should the amount used be subtotal before taxes or total including taxes?
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Rachelle Lynn Williams
Jan 31, 2009
Very informative article on proper tipping.
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miasavc
Jan 29, 2009
What an informative article! Thanks for this info. I'll save it to my favorites for future reference.
