Transcript Tipping Etiquette

Tipping Etiquette
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Have Mercy
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Instead of skipping the tip, talk to the
manager about poor service.
Pre-tax or Post-tax?
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Tips may be calculated pre-tax, but
many people just use the total bill.
Coupons and gift certificates
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Tipping is always based upon the normal price of the
good or service. If you get a coupon for 20% off,
then tip on the original price. The amount of work
done by the server is not less because you paid less.
If you have a coupon for a free entree, then tip
based upon the regular price of the entree.
Many gift certificates act more like a debit card. A
$50 card is the equivalent to $50 cash. You can use
the card to pay for the tip as well as the food or
service. If you have a gift certificate for a free meal
or spa treatment, call the manager before you go and
ask if the gratuity is included. If it is not, ask for the
estimated value of the gift certificate, and then tip in
cash based upon that amount.
But the service is already so expensive!
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With proper tipping etiquette, the
percentages of your tips do not change
because of the cost of the service. If it
is really a big crunch for you, then use
the service less often or find a place
that is more within your budget.
Tipping the owner?
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In the US, the answer used to be no.
Now it is yes.
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Christmas is a great time of year to
remember those people who serve you
regularly. A gift or a tasteful Christmas
card with a tip inside is recommended.
Delivery should occur in the month of
December prior to Christmas day. Tip
those who serve you all year long and
whom you have a personal relationship
with.
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Maid - one week's pay. This is for maids in
your employ whom you pay directly. If you
use a service and never know who is coming
out, don't tip at all.
Gardener - $20-50.
USPS Mail carrier - Non-cash gifts with value
up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you
know and see regularly.
UPS - Regular driver - $15.
FedEx - Not allowed to accept cash gifts, but
a gift up to $25 in value is permissible.
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Apartment building superintendent - $50-200.
Tip less if you tip throughout the year.
Apartment Doorman/concierge - $10-80 or
more each, depending upon building. The
fewer doormen the building has, the more
you tip each one. Those who serve you more
should get a bigger tip.
Apartment building handyman - $15-40 each.
Apartment building elevator operators - $1540 each.
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Shampoo assistant- $10
Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more
Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more
Massage therapist - $15 or more.
Newspaper carrier - Daily - $25 - 50,
weekend - $10
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Teacher - $25-100. Give a gift certificate to a
bookstore or office supply store. If you know
the teacher's hobbies or interests, then a gift
certificate would be nice from the local movie
theater, hobby shop, mall, fine restaurant or
day spa. Or, join a “group gift”.
Coaches, tutors, ballet instructors, music
teachers - A small gift from your child.
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Garbage collector(s) - $15-30 each. Nowadays, most
garbage collectors are really truck drivers. The truck
has an arm that does all the work. If this is the
situation, there is no need to tip.
Baby sitter - One night's pay, plus a small gift from
your child.
Full-time nanny - One week's to one month's pay
based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
Au pair - One week's pay, plus a small gift from your
child.
Day care service - $25-70, plus a small gift from your
child.
Detailed
Christmas holiday tipping etiquette
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Parking attendants - $10-20 each
Personal trainer - $60-100 upon reaching
goal.
A minimum of $50 for your waiters, lockerroom personnel, front-desk employees, and
golf professionals is recommended. For head
waiters or special service, make it $100.
Dog groomer - 1/4 - 1/2 cost of a session.
Dog walker or sitter - 1-2 week's pay.
At the Airport
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Porter or skycap - $2 per bag or more if the bags are
heavy. If you arrive late and he helps you get to your
flight on time, tip an extra $5-20.
Electric cart driver - $2-$3 a person.
Wheelchair pusher - If they are just pushing you down
the ramp from the gate to the plane (or in reverse),
then nothing. If it is from the ticket counter to the
gate/plane or from the gate/plane to the luggage
carousel, then $5 is appropriate. Tip more if they help
you with your luggage ($1-2 per bag) or if they help
you to your car. If they are pushing you from one
terminal to another (long distances), then $10-20
would be appropriate plus extra for luggage. Tip less if
they are unpleasant or rude.
Flight attendant or other in-flight personnel - Nothing.
Charter pilot - Nothing.
Tipping on trains
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Dining car waiters, stewards and bar
car waiters: 15 percent of bill (or
estimated cost of meal when included)
Red caps, or porters: $1 per bag
Sleeping car attendant: $5 per
passenger per day
Ground transportation
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Taxi, limo, paid shuttle, or van driver - 15%
of the total fare. Up to 20% if the driver helps
with the bags or makes extra stops. No less
than $1. If someone else is picking up the
tab, they are responsible for tipping also.
Driver of courtesy shuttle - $1-$2 per bag if
he helps with the bags.
Auto dealership shuttle driver - Nothing.
At the hotel
Inquire if gratuities (a daily fee) are included in the
price of the room. If not:
 Valet or parking attendant - $1-3 is appropriate for
parking or returning the car. It is not necessary to tip
for parking, but always for returning the car.
 Doorman - If he hails you a cab, $1-2. If he helps
you with your bags in or out of the car, $0.50-1 a
bag. Use $1-2 per bag if he carries them all the way
to the room. If he just opens the door, nothing. If he
is exceptionally helpful with directions or restaurant
recommendations, same as concierge.
At the hotel
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Bellman - When he helps you with your bags, tip $12 per bag. Give him the tip when he shows you your
room. If he just carries the bags to the front desk
and then disappears, save it for the person who
carries the bags to your room. Upon checkout, tip a
bellman who helps with your bags. Tip more for
additional services.
Concierge - $5-10 for help with hard-to-get dinner
reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for
just plain advice. Tipping can be done at the end of
the trip or at the time of service.
At the hotel
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Room Service - If gratuity is included, add
nothing or $1. Otherwise add 15-20% to the
total charge.
Delivery of special items - If you request
extra pillows or an iron, tip $1 per item
received, minimum $2.
Hotel maintenance staff - Nothing to replace
a light bulb, fix the air conditioning, etc.
At the hotel
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Maid service - $1-5 per day typically, up to
$10 per day depending upon how much mess
you make. Tip daily because there might be a
different maid each day. Leave the tip on your
pillow, and tip on the last day also.
Swimming pool or gym attendant - Nothing,
unless you require special services such as
extra seating or inflating pool toys; then it is
$2-5. If you want the same deck chairs every
day, then tip $2-3 per chair beginning the
first day.
Tipping at a Bed and Breakfast (B & B)
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Many, if not most B&Bs have a notipping policy in the US and Canada. In
other countries it varies. The safest bet
is to inquire at the specific Bed and
Breakfast where you plan to stay before
you arrive.
If there is hired housekeeping staff,
then tip the same as at a hotel.
Tour guides
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Check ahead. If the tip is not already included, give 10-15% of
the tour price. No less than $1-2 for a half-day tour, $3-4 for a
full-day tour, and $5-10 for a week-long tour. This is a perperson rate. Tip private tour guides more. If the bus driver is
particularly helpful with bags, then tip $1-2 per bag.
Boat trip - If the trip is over 3 hours, tip $10-$75 depending
upon the cost of the excursion and the quality of service.
Outdoor guides (fly fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, etc.)
- 15% of the cost of the service. Some companies have a notipping policy. Check when you book the trip.
Private Yacht Charter - Tip the crew 10-20% of the charter fee
based upon the quality of service. Hand the gratuity to the
Captain for distribution to the crew.
Cruise ships
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Many cruise ships have a no-tipping policy. Find out
in advance. If you are supposed to tip, find out if it is
done at the end of the trip or at the time of service.
Oftentimes, at the end of the cruise you are provided
envelopes with suggested tip amounts. If you are
supposed to tip, budget about $20 per day.
Waiter - $3 per day per person.
Cabin steward - $3 per day per person.
Bus boy - $1.5 per day per person.
maitre d' - Not necessary unless special services
provided.
Bar steward - Usually, 15% is automatically added to
bill.
Restaurants or Bars
General guideline: 10-15% on the alcohol and 15-20%
on the food
 Food server - 15-20%.
 Counter service - 15-20%.
 Cocktail server - 15-20%. For free drinks in Vegas, tip
$1-2 per round.
 Bartender - 15-20% or $1 per drink. If at the bar
before a meal, settle up with the bartender before
you go to your table.
 Wine steward - 10% of wine bill.
 If a bar has a cover charge, you do not tip on it.
Restaurants and Bars
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Busboys - Nothing, unless he did something extra
special like cleaning up a huge mess. Then give him
$1-2.
Maitre d' - Nothing, unless he gets you a special table
or the restaurant is full and you had no reservation.
Then give $5-10 or more.
Coat check - $1
Restroom attendant - $1
Separate checks - If you want separate checks, ask
the server to go ahead and add 18% gratuity to each
check.
Restaurants and Bars
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Musician in lounge - $1-5
Musician that visits table - $2-3 if you make a
special request. Optional if he just stops by
and plays.
Takeout - If you get good service, in other
words, the waiter gets and packages the
food, then at your choice you can tip $1-2 or
up to 10%. Nothing is really necessary.
Drive through - Nothing.
Restaurants and Bars
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Self-service restaurant or buffet - Nothing unless
there is some service. Tip 10% if the server delivers
all or part of your meal or keeps your drinks refilled.
When breakfast is included in the price of the hotel
room - Estimate the value of the meal by looking at a
menu. If there is no breakfast menu, consider the
quality of the hotel and the price of an evening meal,
then make your best estimate. Your tip should be 1520% of your estimate.
Teppanyaki chef - 15-20% of the total bill. The
gratuity will be split among the wait staff and the
chef.
Restaurants and Bars
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Double time:
If you hold a table for two serving
periods, make sure that you tip double.
Barbers, salons, spas
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Barber - $2-3
Hair Stylist or Color Specialist - 10-20%. $3-5
extra for last-minute service.
Hair extensions - 10-20%, regardless of the
cost of the service.
Shampoo or other assistant - $2-5 for each
person. Hand the tip directly to the person
providing the service.
Manicure or Facial- 15%
Barbers, salons, spas
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Massage therapist - No tip if at doctor's
office. 10-15% otherwise. If they come to
your home or hotel room, find out in advance
whether a tip is included in the price.
Electrologist, laser hair removal - Nothing.
Salon or spa package - Determine in advance
whether a service charge is included. If none
is included, then 10-20% split among the
service providers.
If the salon messed up your service, and you
return for a re-do, do not tip again.
Country Club
At many golf or country clubs, tips are included
in your monthly bill. 57% of country clubs
have a no tipping policy. It is worthwhile to
look it up or check with your club first.
 Shoe shine - $2 per pair.
 Golf cart girls - 15%, minumum of $1-2.
Round it.
 Small errands - $5. What's a small errand?
Running to the store, sending a fax, calling a
cab.
Country Club
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Bag guy - $1-2 per bag.
Large errands - $10-20. For concierge-type
services of ordering flowers, obtaining hardto-get theater tickets, etc.
Golf caddies - $15-25 above any fee for the
cabby.
Golf or tennis pro lessons - Nothing.
Restaurants - same as at any other
restaurant.
Weddings
Many contracted services for weddings include
tips in the final bill. Make sure you read your
contract carefully so that you are not double
tipping.
 Civil ceremony officials - $50 - $75, more if
travel involved
 Wedding planner - Nothing.
 Minister, priest, rabbi - Minimum of $100,
more if travel involved. Give the gratuity to
the best man who will in turn give it to the
officiant following the ceremony.
Weddings
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Coat check - 50 cents per guest.
Limo driver - 15% of the total fare. Make sure
the tip is not included already in the bill.
Florists - Only necessary when service is
beyond expectations, up to 15%
Photographers - Only necessary when service
is beyond expectations, up to 15%
Bakers - Only necessary when service is
beyond expectations, up to 15%
Weddings
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Reception Musicians or DJs - Only necessary
when service is beyond expectations, up to
15% or $25-50 per person.
Open bar at receptions - Two theories: (1) tip
$1 for each visit to the bar, or (2) the guest
should only tip if it is a cash bar. If you are
the host of the event, make sure it is not
included. If it is not included, the tip is 1520%.
Weddings
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Catering hall wedding coordinator - $50 for
the coordinator, and something less for the
assistant ($25). Make sure it is not included
in the price of the event.
Bankquet captain - $20-100.
Wedding organist, musician or soloist - First
check whether or not the gratuity is included
in the rental of the church. If not, $50 per
person or $75 per person for close friends.
Funeral Etiquette
The tip or gratuity for the clergyman who performs a
funeral service is called the honorarium. The amount
of the honorarium is typically $50-200. The amount is
personal and varies based upon many factors:
 How much of the service does the clergyman
perform, and does it include a graveside service?
 How many ministers are speaking at the service?
 How well do you know the minister?
 How good of a job does he do?
 What is customary for the area?
 How much can you afford?
Tipping Caterers
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If there is a service charge that is
included in the bill and is distributed to
the cooks, driver and wait staff, you
don’t need to tip anymore. If there is no
service charge or it is not for the people
doing the work, then tipping 15% of
the entire bill is appropriate.
Tipping Movers
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One mover - limited move - 1-10 items and nothing
over 20 pounds - $10-20
One mover - difficult move - The degree of difficulty
changes based upon stairs, narrow passages, small
elevators, large or heavy items, appliances, etc. $20-50.
Multiple movers - Basically tip each mover the same
as above, but lower it by $5-10 for each mover.
Car Shipping - There is not much information
available about tipping the truck drivers. $20-25 is
probably appropriate.
Consider providing lunch if the move extends over
lunch, and always provide beverages for the movers.
Emergency roadside service
Consider the level of danger. Tip an additional
amount if it is roadside service versus in a
parking lot.
 Towing service - $5 - $20 depending upon
circumstances and your desperation.
 Jump start - $3 - $5
 Tire change - $4 - $5
 Locked out of car - $5 - $10
Miscellaneous services
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Accountants - Nothing.
Appliance repairman - Nothing.
Auto mechanic - Not necessary. If you insist,
tip about $10-20 for bills up to $500, and $50
for bills over $500.
Bagger at grocery store - Check in advance to
see if the store has a no tipping policy. Most
have one. If it doesn't, then $1-3 for the
bagger and $1-5 for the person who loads
your car.
Miscellaneous services
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Car salesman - Nothing.
Car wash - $2-3 for a car; $3-5 for an SUV or
large vehicle. If there is a tip jar, leave your
tip there. It will be split among the workers.
Otherwise, tip the person(s) who did the
cleanup after the wash.
Carpet cleaners - Nothing.
Clown at children's party - $15-25 depending
upon the quality of the performance and the
heat level of the day. Or 15-20% of the
performers fee.
Miscellaneous services
 Electricians, painters (house) and plumbers Nothing. Offer a cool drink instead.
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Pet groomers - 15% of the bill or $2 per dog,
whichever is greater. If your dog is difficult,
then tip more. Obviously, don't tip if the
quality is poor.
Pet sitters – Not necessary. 15% is
appropriate if you want to tip.
Miscellaneous services
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Sports arena in-seat food service - At most
arenas you tip the person who takes the
order 15%. You tip at the time of payment,
not delivery. The best thing to do is to ask
before you order. You definitely should not tip
both the order taker and the deliverer unless
you split it.
Shoeshine - $1-2.
Miscellaneous services
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Tattoo or piercing artist - 10-20% or
whatever you can afford. It isn't
necessary, but it is appreciated.
Telephone, security, cable, satellite,
internet installers or repairmen Nothing.
Tipping for Deliveries
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Furniture or appliance deliveries - $5-10 per
person. If the delivery is huge, then $20 per
person.
Grocery delivery - Usually included in the fee.
Pharmacy deliveries - Nothing. If you insist,
$2-3 per delivery, not per prescription.
Flower deliveries - $2-5 for normal deliveries
and $5-10 for large ones.
UPS/Fed Ex - None.
Tipping for Deliveries
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Dry Cleaning or Laundry Delivery - Nothing.
Liquor delivery - 10-15%.
Newspaper - Nothing except at
Christmastime.
Pizza deliveries or other food deliveries 15%, but not less than $2.
Delivering a big box like a TV to your car Nothing.
Full-Service Gas Stations
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If you receive service (clean windshield, check fluid
levels, etc.), the tip varies from $1-5 depending upon
how much they do. $1-2 for a good job on the
windshield, and $3-5 for windshield and fluid check.
If you have to ask the person to do these things or
they do a poor job, then don’t tip for windshield only
or $1-2 for the full service.
There is one big exception. If the price of gas at the
self-service pumps is $1.70 and the price for fullservice is $2.50, then they are already charging you
for the service.
Casino Tipping
One general rule for tipping at a table is that
you tip when you are winning, not losing.
 Craps or blackjack dealer - $5+ chip per
session. If you prefer, you can place a side
bet for the dealer up to 10%. The size
depends upon the table's minimum bet;
however, it should never exceed $25. At a $5
table, the tip would be a $1 chip. At a $25
table, use a $5 chip.
 Poker dealers - $5+ chip per session. You
may tip 10% of your winnings, but not to
exceed $25.
Casino Tipping
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Roulette dealers - $5+ chip per session.
Keno writers/runners - $1+ for first ticket. If you play
a lot, tip more. 5% if you win.
Drinks waiter - $1+ chip per drink.
Slot machine changers - These guys are pretty much
obsolete because most machines today spit out paper
receipts of winnings. If you do have a machine that
pays in coins, tip $1+ chip per change, plus 5% on a
jackpot, not to exceed $25.
Slot machine attendants - $1-2 chip when they repair
your machine.
Tip Jars