'Tipping' while in the US

[AlwaysTryin]

Hey everyone

As some of you may know from my other thread, I'm off to the US next week and wanted to understand the common tipping etc first before I get there as we don't do it here

What's the standard sort of tipping rate for things??

- taxi?
- hotel concierge?
- restaurant?

Etc

[snorkelman]

In restaurants I tip 20% for good service, but I think 15% is probably standard. Some older folks I know think 10% is standard, but I think it is not. Younger kids who are waiters probably want even more, but I doubt that much more than 15% is standard, other than ordering drinks from a bar.

I have never tipped a concierge.

As for taxi, someone who lives in NYC or Philli probably would be the best bet since those are two locations you will be visiting.

[Paneetius]

15-20% is for good service at restaurants. Really, it's up to you though, if you don't think they deserve the tips, don't give it to them.

not sure about taxis; when I went to NYC, I just walked everywhere and took the metro.

never been in hotels, always stayed with family or friends.

[ThousandEyes]

Taxi's I don't believe you tip, you pay a lot and unless it's someplace far you're better off just walking or taking a subway.

restaurants is 15% or higher for better service. They make most of their money here so imo unless they're bad I'd tip decently.

Are you at a really high class hotel? If not I don't think you'd tip the concierge either, but I don't really know on that one.

[anonymous]

you definitely tip cabbies in nyc. good rule of thumb is $1 for every $10 on the meter.

but if its under 10, you leave him a buck for sure.

restaurants- 15-20%

concierge-nothing
bellmen- couple of bucks per bag

[anonymous]

oh and bartenders- dollar per drink

[AlwaysTryin]

Thanks all! Really helpful

So basically ~15% is standard for restaurants. Does this include fast food places etc or just "higher class" places?

[KayPS]

Thanks all! Really helpful

So basically ~15% is standard for restaurants. Does this include fast food places etc or just "higher class" places?

No fast food. Just when you're being served.

Also, breakfast/lunch is on the lower end (12-15%), and dinner is usually on the higher end (15-18%), depending on level of service.

[desslok]

Thanks all! Really helpful

So basically ~15% is standard for restaurants. Does this include fast food places etc or just "higher class" places?

In CA its usually 12% for mediocre service. If the service was good, 15-18% depending on how good. If its. Aplace I go to regularly and I know the waiters, more like 20-25.

Bars I usually tip at least $2 per drink.

Cabs I usually just round up a bit, for example $8 I just give 10.

Bellboys I give $1 per bag or $5 minimum, at nicer hotels $2 a bag. Same for curbside baggage at airports.
Concierge never use/never tipped.

Hairdresser $5-10

[MASSter]

In CA its usually 12% for mediocre service. If the service was good, 15-18% depending on how good. If its. Aplace I go to regularly and I know the waiters, more like 20-25.

Bars I usually tip at least $2 per drink.

Cabs I usually just round up a bit, for example $8 I just give 10.

Bellboys I give $1 per bag or $5 minimum, at nicer hotels $2 a bag. Same for curbside baggage at airports.
Concierge never use/never tipped.

Hairdresser $5-10

Hey Dess. Can we see a hair picture? Your hair present day done by your hairdresser. I'm jealous because I shave mine off or keep it short. I'm guessing 80s hair band mid back length for you?

[psychodiver9]

Tip hookers $10 per extra activity requested

[MASSter]

Tip hookers $10 per extra activity requested

Wouldn't it be a wash after you factor in the price of strong antibiotics?

[miacanesfan25]

Wouldn't it be a wash after you factor in the price of strong antibiotics?

The memories will be priceless.

[aaron2686]

When you're in restaurants, be sure to check the bill before leaving a tip and take a good look at the menu (or just ask the host). Some US restaurants are starting to charge an automatic 18% gratuity (tip) as a part of the total bill. If they do this, it's usually clearly noted on the bill/receipt.

That said, most restaurants still don't do this but it is getting to be more common.

[AlwaysTryin]

When you're in restaurants, be sure to check the bill before leaving a tip and take a good look at the menu (or just ask the host). Some US restaurants are starting to charge an automatic 18% gratuity (tip) as a part of the total bill. If they do this, it's usually clearly noted on the bill/receipt.

That said, most restaurants still don't do this but it is getting to be more common.

I did hear that actually

Thanks

[ErikTheElectric]

Taxi.. not sure, didn't even know you tipped taxi drivers.

Hotel Concierge .. it's up to you and how generous you are..

Restaurant ... general "rule" from the restaurants I've worked in/at.. is 8.75% of the bill.

[determined4000]

cabs=no clue
hotel=10-15
restaurant=0-25 depending on level
0 would be completely awful
0-10 would be barely above that
10-15= avg
16-20=good/notice server is busy
20+ very good/very busy or HOT

ALso tip on the higher end if I plan on returning

[pretend]

Tipping is stupid. I'm sure at one point it was something special for good service. "And here's a shiny quarter for you, my good man. *wink*" But now it's just this awkward surcharge, an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages.

I wish I got to double my income, in cash under-the-table, just for doing my job.

[anonymous]

Tipping is stupid. I'm sure at one point it was something special for good service. "And here's a shiny quarter for you, my good man. *wink*" But now it's just this awkward surcharge, an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages.

I wish I got to double my income, in cash under-the-table, just for doing my job.

thanks, mr pink

[determined4000]

Tipping is stupid. I'm sure at one point it was something special for good service. "And here's a shiny quarter for you, my good man. *wink*" But now it's just this awkward surcharge, an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages.

I wish I got to double my income, in cash under-the-table, just for doing my job.

probably why you get poor service

[pretend]

probably why you get poor service

Hey, how many complimentary hairs do your soups come with?

[PAU1]

Tipping is stupid. I'm sure at one point it was something special for good service. "And here's a shiny quarter for you, my good man. *wink*" But now it's just this awkward surcharge, an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages.

I wish I got to double my income, in cash under-the-table, just for doing my job.

It's not "an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages." It's a change for servers to get paid a wage reflective of the work required (number of tables / % of bill total) and their ability to provide excellent service (tips exceeding standard rate).

Tipping is part of the cost of the service. If you aren't going to tip, do it yourself.

For the people who advocated not tipping for poor service at a restaurant, I disagree. I have approached a manager and provided them with a tip for the underwhelming wait staff (~15%). The tip was accompanied by an explanation for why I was dissatisfied and the admission that tipping is a given because it is part of the servers wages.

Taxis, I also round up. If I like the cabbie and want them to pick me up later, I get his cell and tip him extra.

Hotels are $1-2 per bag, usually $1. I've never tipped a hotel concierge. Bars are $1-2 per drink.

[djansen]

Server checking in.
Minimum wage here in AZ is $7.80 and minimum wage for servers is $4.35 so majority of my earnings come from tips.
For me unless the service is terrible (not the food btw) my standard tip at restaurants is %20.
But like I said, I feel that's the standard if the waiter or waitress does their job efficiently, is attentive, and friendly.

[psychodiver9]

Taxi.. not sure, didn't even know you tipped taxi drivers.

Hotel Concierge .. it's up to you and how generous you are..

Restaurant ... general "rule" from the restaurants I've worked in/at.. is 8.75% of the bill.

You a cheap *******? Never seen sub 10% listed. My dad is cheap and leaves more than that

[desslok]

When you're in restaurants, be sure to check the bill before leaving a tip and take a good look at the menu (or just ask the host). Some US restaurants are starting to charge an automatic 18% gratuity (tip) as a part of the total bill. If they do this, it's usually clearly noted on the bill/receipt.

That said, most restaurants still don't do this but it is getting to be more common.

I've only ever seen that for parties of xx or more, usually around 8 people but have seen as low as 6 people.

[deadpool9]

No fast food. Just when you're being served.

I did find out recently that Sonic is an exception to this. Even though its fast food, the people that bring your food to the car are considered waiters/waitresses. They make like $3 / hr and depend on tips. I feel bad because I have gone there for years and never tipped, but started after finding this out.

[pretend]

It's not "an excuse for employers to not pay fair wages." It's a change for servers to get paid a wage reflective of the work required (number of tables / % of bill total) and their ability to provide excellent service (tips exceeding standard rate).

Tipping is part of the cost of the service. If you aren't going to tip, do it yourself.

For the people who advocated not tipping for poor service at a restaurant, I disagree. I have approached a manager and provided them with a tip for the underwhelming wait staff (~15%). The tip was accompanied by an explanation for why I was dissatisfied and the admission that tipping is a given because it is part of the servers wages.

Taxis, I also round up. If I like the cabbie and want them to pick me up later, I get his cell and tip him extra.

Hotels are $1-2 per bag, usually $1. I've never tipped a hotel concierge. Bars are $1-2 per drink.

There is logic to that, but I still don't like how the business is basically paying people just to show up, then customers are expected to pay them to actually do something. Management knows which bills belong to which server, so could easily pay bonuses/commissions based on their total bills each pay period. If they don't have enough markup on food/drink to cover this, either up the prices or add an automatic service charge on each bill. Same goes for hotels, bars, hair cutters, and taxis. Though if you're arranging for private pickups, that's something between you and the driver. If you received excellent service, tell the person and their manager. If it was subpar, tell the manager. The feedback can be used for determining raises and getting rid of those who can't do the job well.

Why not tip the Walmart greeter who kindly tells you where to find the staplers? Or the friendly cashier who gets you through efficiently with a genuine smile?

Minimum wage here is $9.75 ($9.05 for purely liquor servers). So it's not complete poverty levels if they make $0 over that, but their employer should be paying them what they're worth.

And for the record, I do tip plenty, I just think it's stupid. Especially for say, a self-employed hairdresser... just charge what you want to get!

[WonderPug]

I just wanted to add a bit of clarity regarding taxis tipping etiquette: Typically tip the greater of $1 or 10% of fare, rounded up to the nearest dollar, or if paying by credit card, simply select the 10% button for tip.

And as noted, be careful about restaurants adding an 18% tip automatically to your bill. This is especially common in some touristy areas such as South Florida.

[dreahere]

No one's mentioned this, but if you're staying in a hotel, tip your chambermaid a buck or two a day.

[ErikTheElectric]

You a cheap *******? Never seen sub 10% listed. My dad is cheap and leaves more than that

Of course you would "Come at me", go troll some one else "*******".