Tipping Etiquette .

Tipping Etiquette

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Have Mercy

Instead of skipping the tip, talk to the manager about poor service.

Pre-tax or Post-tax?

Tips may be calculated pre-tax, but many people just use the total bill.

Coupons and gift certificates 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!

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?

In the US, the answer used to be no. Now it is yes.

Christmas holiday tipping etiquette

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

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.


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 - $15-40 each.


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


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.


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.


Parking attendants - $10-20 each Personal trainer - $60-100 upon reaching

goal. A minimum of $50 for your waiters,

locker-room 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 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

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 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 hotelInquire 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 Bellman - When he helps you with your bags,

tip $1-2 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 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 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)

Many, if not most B&Bs have a no-tipping 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 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 per-person 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 no-tipping 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 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 BarsGeneral 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 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 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 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 15-20% 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

Double time: If you hold a table for two serving

periods, make sure that you tip double.

Barbers, salons, spas 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 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 Bag guy - $1-2 per bag. Large errands - $10-20. For concierge-

type services of ordering flowers, obtaining hard-to-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 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 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 15-20%.

Weddings 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 EtiquetteThe 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

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 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 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 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.

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 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

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 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 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 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 full-service 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 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.

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Tipping Etiquette .

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