How to Know Tip Etiquette
You reach for the check after dinner and once again, you're stymied as to how much you are supposed to leave. Your hairdresser and the bellhop both gave you a slant-eyed look when they received their tip. There must be some sort of rule, you think. Here are some etiquette guidelines to help you feel confident tipping in any situation.
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Instructions
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Leave approximately 15 percent of your meal cost when tipping a waitperson that provided you with good service. You can adjust this amount if you were very pleased or disappointed in the service.
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Consider setting a minimum tip amount. If you order coffee and a slice of pie the tip won't amount to much if you only leave 15 percent, but the server came to your table a half a dozen times to fill your cup. A minimum tip of $2 or more will assure he is compensated for his service.
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Give your hairdresser between 15 to 20 percent for her services. Some people don't know they are supposed to tip a stylist, but they depend upon their tips to make a living.
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Slip a couple of dollars into your door attendant's hand if he hails a cab for you or retrieves your luggage. A dollar or two per bag is proper when the bellhop carries them to your room. The same amount goes for a valet who parks your car.
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Tip food delivery persons, but not postal employees, when they bring packages. It's tough to keep it straight, but remember that employees of tax-funded services are legally not allowed to accept tips. However, etiquette allows you to give them a monetary gift at Christmas time if you feel they have served you well throughout the year.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that tipping is not mandatory unless an establishment includes it in their bill, but it is expected, and many service industry employees depend upon tips to make a living. Don't feel obligated to tip if the service was below par.
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Comments
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ananac
Jun 08, 2010
I was one of those people who dreaded the tip cup. I resented it being there and generally refused to leave a tip. I felt it was an affront by the owner to guilt me into doing so. And if the employees expected it - then go work somewhere else where you do table service. That was until I had to get a job as a barista and counter person for the morning train rush to the city. After a week on the job, as soon as I left work, I despised humankind suddenly. When I got home, after completely stripping due to my clothes being completely covered with milk and sweat, and my feet and back hurting so badly I though my ovaries would fall out of me, all I wanted to do was curl up in the fetal postion and cry. From 5:45 am (which means I had to wake up at 5 am) until 10:30 am, I was making special lattes, cappucinos, chai teas, toasting, buttering, cream cheesing bagels, preparing oatmeal - with... -
crystalclarity
Sep 17, 2009
I think you should tip minimally 15%, but really 20% for pretty good service is expected. Many servers share thier tips with busboys and kitchen staff. If you have a problem with the service, it should be addressed to the manager, but you shouldn't leave anything less than 15%.
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aheydrick
Sep 16, 2009
I'm a server at a middle-class scale restaurant in Texas and I EXPECT 18-20%. 10%-15% to servers in our restaurant communicates to us that we were not up to par, although because of our poor economy most of our guests are now only tipping us 5-10% and not because of the service, but because of money being so tight. PLEASE remember we are suffering too. The average for me is below minimum wage an hour. If we can't support ourselves, how are we supposed to support our families as well?
