Tipping in USA?

[flameboy]

Pfff I hate mandatory tipping....I can understand it back in the day but we are meant to work in an era of minimum wages. Why should I be dictated that I have to tip X amount when someone may not have even provided good service?

 

It's totally an excuse for staff to get paid naff all and why should tax paying people foot this bill (obviously they pay tax too I get that) so that somebody else gets extra tax free earnings on us? Whilst their employers get away with it is a joke both to the tipper and the employee.

 

It's mandatory in Canada and I've take exception to it a couple of times. At bars in Toronto you have to tip at least $1 per drink! Once I ordered some drinks and the woman slide my money across to me..I picked it up to see what change she had given me as I wasn't familar with the coins and this points and she was "you have to tip me you can't just take that." I mean all you did was opened the bottles on a couple of beers....jeez the guy in the subway does more to prepare something for me but society doesn't deem them worthy of tips yet I bet they get paid less than staff in swanky bars. Ever since I've made a point of putting some change in the empty tip pot in Subway.

[Dog-amoto]

This is on the Trip Advisor website.

 

I have to agree though, the whole concept is ridiculous. Why does society make you so paranoid about committing a tipping faux pas?

 

Was on holiday in Tunisia once and the light broke in our bathroom. The guy came to fix it and then stood expecting a tip...for the light in his hotel breaking...fuck off!

 

Reminder and Warning: This information is highly contested, confusing by nature and is by no means official. Visitors to the U.S. are advised to verify these matters against other sources of information.

 

Tipping is not mandatory in the United States, anywhere, regardless of what anyone says. In some places a clearly displayed "Service Charge" might be added to a bill, especially for party sizes of 8 or more. Inform yourself of these charges when choosing an establishment.

 

Waiters may remind you that a "tip is not included" in a bill - you can interpret this aggressive approach as you will and respond with a tip (or a lack thereof) that reflects your feelings.

 

If you strongly object to tipping, there is no legal requirement to tip any person in the United States for any reason, unless expressly stated in writing.

 

The Americano-centric point of view is below:

 

Why bother tipping? It's not really optional or a reward for good service, is it? In *some* states in the USA, most waitstaff and bartenders in restaurants are paid below the minimum wage, because the employees are expected to make up the difference, so to speak, in tips. This means that a server could earn far above minimum wage on a good night, or hardly break even on a slow night. Servers are even expected to pay income tax on your tips -- they truly are part of their normal wages for the job they do, not just "extra" money for them.

 

Always leave tips in cash, handing them directly to the person you are tipping, whenever feasible This makes certain that the right person is rewarded, and that the establishment itself cannot skim a portion of your tip by assessing the employee a percentage of what you tipped on the credit card. Many places are legally able to do this now, so, unless you absolutely need to charge the tip for business reasons, a cash tip is almost always better for the tipee.

 

All 50 states have different minimum wage laws. Some allow employers to pay less than the state's minimum wage to tipped staff, others do not. Federal employment compensation law requires that if employers pay less than minimum wage, tips must bring compensation up to the minimum wage or the employer must make up the difference. Therefore, no server legally makes below the federal minimum wage in the U.S. regardless of the amount of tips received.

 

Many staff in Las Vegas are unionized, with benefits and high wages as well as getting tips. These few are at the top of the industry and can make a six figure income. Tips are expected regardless of what state you are in or what wages the staff are paid. For better or for worse, tipping has become a part of most hospitality worker's pay.

 

Tipping in the USA is something you get the hang of after you do it a while. After a couple of days, you'll be able to gauge when you receive stellar service, or whether someone is "phoning it in." If you are mistreated anywhere, you must inform a manager. Don't tip poor service - let someone know you were unhappy, even if you just leave a note to the server as to why there is no tip added to the bill.

 

General rule: 10% usually means you are very unhappy, 15% usually means all was ok, 20% for excellent, and 25% for outstanding.

 

Restaurants with table service: Tip 15% of the bill, based on the quality of service. If you receive exceptional service, 15-25% is customary. In major cities of the U.S. however, 20% is considered to be a "good tip".

 

Please note that in *some* states, restaurants are allowed to pay their servers as low as $2.13 per hour. This base wage varies among states, for example, Massachusetts pays $2.63, Connecticut $5, and California $8. Service is almost never included in the bill. If it is it will say "Gratuity" with an amount next to it. It is customary, unlike much of the rest of the world, for your service to not be included. This is true of normal restaurants and also buffets.

 

Unlike many countries, service is usually not included in the bill with the exception of large parties (typically six or more people). If you're with a large party, be sure to check your bill just in case. 15% - 20% is often automatically charged for a large party (six or more). If the tip is included, the breakdown of the bill will read "gratuity", which means that a tip is already included. As always, if you feel you did not receive 15% service, inform the management before paying your bill and have it adjusted to the adequate amount.

 

A good rule of thumb when calculating a table service restaurant tip is to ignore sales tax, and, for good service, calculate 15% of the entire food, beverage, and wine bill. (This is the amount listed before the sales tax line.) Add 20% if the service was outstanding, especially prompt or friendly, or the server fulfilled many special requests. Note: in most larger restaurants in the USA, the server has to pay back a portion of their tips to the bartender, busser, hostess, and food runners. A good rule of thumb is: if you see people other than your server helping maintain or clean tables, serve wine, or deliver food, those people are being tipped by your server for their work. In resort areas like Disney World, it is usually 3% to 5% of the server's total food, beverage and alcohol sales, so the tip should be adjusted accordingly. At higher end restaurants, there may also be a sommelier or wine steward. You should tip the sommelier separately, at your discretion. However, in some restaurants, the server tips the sommelier based on their individual wine sales, so it is advisable to ask your server first. Individual drinks you are served at a restaurant bar should always earn a $1-2 tip each.

 

In most states, sales tax is applied to the bill and is clearly indicated as such on the bill. In those states where the tax is 5% (Massachusetts as an example) or 6% it is simple to calculate the tip by rounding the tax up or down to the nearest dollar and then multiplying by three.

 

It is worth mentioning that New York restaurants have started adding automatic gratuity even though the number of people eating is far less than 6. Even with a group of three, gratuity of 20% may be automatically added both in restaurants and in 'pubs'. The automatic gratuity is also becoming common in areas that are highly tourist-oriented, such as the Grand Canyon. It is important to always check one's bills!

 

For buffet restaurants, a tip of 15% to 20% of the bill is still recommended because the servers often work harder than in normal restaurants. They may not take orders or bring out food, but they do work hard keeping your table clean of the empty plates after multiple trips to the buffet line. In addition to this, they often help to keep the buffet line stocked and clean, and they make coffee, brew tea, etc. Remember that the minimum tip for any server should be $1 per person. Do not leave only 75 cents for a $5.00 buffet! As always, if you feel you have not been well-served, adjust the gratuity down. If a tip has been added to your bill beforehand because your party was 6 or more, but the server was inadequate or rude, inform the manager immediately before you pay your bill that you want the tip adjusted.

 

For bad or unacceptable service it is customary to tip as low as 10%. If service is bad enough to deserve only 10%, it is a good idea to let the manager know. Also, placing 2 pennies side by side on top of bills neatly placed on the table lets the server know that it is intentionally low because of bad service. If the server in some way offended you so that you do not wish to leave any tip at all, still leave the 2 pennies, so that they understand that you did not just forget to tip.

 

Counter service/fast food restaurants often have tip jars out, but you are not required to tip. If the service is exemplary or unusual requests are made, then tips are appropriate.

 

Bartenders:$1 - $2 per drink, or 15-20% of the total bill. If you tip well and consistently at bars and pubs, you are likely to recieve a drink on the house, known sometimes as a "buy back." This typically occurs after the 3rd drink you buy. Some bartenders will still use the "old school" signal of leaving an upside-down shot glass near your spot at the bar, especially if you are engaged in conversation or if the place is very noisy, but it's not that common anymore. Turn the shot glass over when you want the free drink. Even though the drink is free, the labor isn't. Don't forget to tip on the "buy back."

 

Other optional tipping situations common to travelers include:

 

Hotel housekeeping/maid service: $2-3 per night up to $5, more in high-end hotels. Also more if there are more than 3 people in a room or suite. Leave the tip on your pillow or in a similar obvious place with a note that says thank you. Leave the tip each day when you leave the room, rather than at the end of your stay, because your room might get cleaned by different people each day, depending on staff schedules. If you have additional items delivered to your room, such as extra pillows, hangers, luggage racks, tip the person who brings them $2 or $3.

Concierge: Tipping is never expected, but always appreciated. The more difficult the request, the higher the tip. $5.00 and up per request is good.

In-suite dining waiter: Always read the bill, if there is a tip included, it will be on the bill breakdown. Ask the server. The policy of having the gratuity included in the bill is not the norm anymore. A service charge or convenience fee goes to the hotel, not the server. If there is no gratuity added, tip the server 15% - 20%.

Bellman/Porter: $1-2 per bag. More if the bags are very heavy.

Taxi Driver: 10-15% of fare, based on service.

Hotel limo driver: For a free ride from the airport, $10 - $20

Drink Server in a casino or bar: $1-$2 per drink. Some tip $5 for the first drink to make sure the waitress "remembers" them and returns often...

Valet Parking Attendants: $2 - $5 (when picking up car).

Dealers at Table Games in the Casinos: 5% of bet amount at end of session, or occasional bet for dealer in amount of your normal wager-dealer can show you where to place bet. You could announce " I have a $xx bet for the dealers, where do you want it?". The bet is usually placed in front of the player's bet. If you're concerned about having your bets rated for comps, place the additional bet on top of your own and tell the dealer that part of your bet is in play for the dealer and as long as your hands keep winning, keep toking the dealer with the winnings from that portion of the bet. The initial bet amount would be $1 - $5.

Slot machines host: $10-20 if they make a hand payout (over $1000).

Spa: For a massage or other treatment, 10% - 20%. Ask if the tip has been included, some spas will include a gratuity on your final bill. Most spas will provide you with an envelope to leave at the reception desk for the person who gave you your treatment. Also, if you wish to leave a small gratuity for the spa attendant who showed you around the Spa and got you situated, it is well appreciated, $2 to $5.

Hairdresser/manicurist: 10% - 20%.

Showroom captains: $1-2 for the person who seats you, more if you asked for "special" seating - $20 for a requested booth or table, more for one up front. Unfortunately this is where the fine line between tipping and bribery meet...

Tour Guides: 15% - 20% + depending on quality (knowledge, friendliness, etc)

[dwarf]

How has nobody posted this yet?

 

 

Dangnammit, was going to do that myself.

 

How about you dress in newspapers and ensure you are seen busking prior to each transaction? They might let you off the hook.

[The fish]

As much as I object to (socially) mandatory tipping in the USA, I could never justify taking that out on some poor college kid trying to scrape together enough money to get their degree - remember, they don't get maintenance loans like most Europeans, and only get tuition loans if they're in their home state, and even then they don't even cover the full amount of University fees. In many places waiting staff can be paid below state minimum wage, and they generally work pretty damn hard. If service is truly bad, talk to the manager.

 

Oh, and remember that prices in the US generally don't include taxes, so it's worth factoring in the tip when calculating the approximate final price of something in your head. (Tax can sometime be a ridiculous number like 8.75%; is the reason no one pays with change in America)

[flameboy]

As much as I object to (socially) mandatory tipping in the USA, I could never justify taking that out on some poor college kid trying to scrape together enough money to get their degree - remember, they don't get maintenance loans like most Europeans, and only get tuition loans if they're in their home state, and even then they don't even cover the full amount of University fees. In many places waiting staff can be paid below state minimum wage, and they generally work pretty damn hard. If service is truly bad, talk to the manager.

 

Oh, and remember that prices in the US generally don't include taxes, so it's worth factoring in the tip when calculating the approximate final price of something in your head. (Tax can sometime be a ridiculous number like 8.75%; is the reason no one pays with change in America)

 

Yeah this is the same in Canada...so you adding 14% plus your say 10% tip which most people usually round up to 25% so its an extra quarter on top of the price.

[EddieColeslaw]

I think that tipping encourages good service and fosters competition. You're not forced to tip if the service is awful, that's the point. I'm not too sure (my last trip to the US was when I was a single digit age), but I think their prices (and general cost of living) will reflect the fact that tipping is the norm, e.g. don't imagine UK/Irish prices + tip added on.

 

Tipping everyone in the world ever is a bit ridiculous though, re: the guidelines Dog-amoto's posted But that's just because the practice doesn't exist over here, I guess.

[dwarf]

I don't think it fosters competition, it's just something of an Americanised institution.

Edited June 1, 2012 by dwarf

[EEVILMURRAY]

But to me "wodge" is short for "wodger", which is what I referred to penis as when I was a child.

 

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wodge (definition 3)

So you misheard todger as a child and now you're taking it out on the world. Stop being so selfish.

 

in the USA, most waitstaff and bartenders in restaurants are paid below the minimum wage, because the employees are expected to make up the difference, so to speak, in tips. This means that a server could earn far above minimum wage on a good night, or hardly break even on a slow night. Servers are even expected to pay income tax on your tips -- they truly are part of their normal wages for the job they do, not just "extra" money for them.

 

Federal employment compensation law requires that if employers pay less than minimum wage, tips must bring compensation up to the minimum wage or the employer must make up the difference. Therefore, no server legally makes below the federal minimum wage in the U.S. regardless of the amount of tips received.

 

So basically tips are the employers being tight fucks and wanting us to make up the shortfall.

[The Peeps]

Tipping seems to be a big deal over there so I'd make sure to tip 10% minimum as long as I had a good meal or whatever.

 

I think tipping is better over here. It's not compulsory so not everyone tips but it means when someone does tip, you know you've done a good job. I work as a waiter/bartender and I never expect a tip. I'll admit it's a bit annoying if you don't get tipped by a table you've been bending over backwards for but it's a bonus at the end of the day, not something you're actually entitled to.

 

If you don't want to tip, it should be your choice not to :p

 

In America tipping is more important I think. As people have pointed out they are working for a lot less than you would expect.

[FalcoLombardi]

Here's what I normally do:

 

15% to 20% for average food service. Adjust accordingly.

$1 every time I order a drink.

 

Those are the only instances I tip, but haven't been on a vacation/holiday in almost 10 years. I found this link handy:

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/a-cheat-sheet-on-tipping-do-s-and-don-ts.html

 

I'm actually heading to New Orleans at the end of July. Mind letting me know how your trip goes and what to see and what to avoid? The hotel I'm staying at is Place d'Armes.

[Emasher]

There are only two instances where it's a good idea to tip, outside of places that have mandatory tips as part of the bill:

 

1) Anyone who serves you food or beverages, see ^^^

2) Anyone who might be able to steal/vandalize your property or spit/jizz/urinate/etc. into your food/beverage/complimentary shampoo after a tip would be expected.

 

Generally, however, if the service is lousy, you don't tip/tip less, and if the person goes out of their way for you, you tip more.

Also keep in mind that while many restaurants pay their servers less than minimum wage and expect them to make it up in tips, if they do not receive enough tips to do this, their employer is required to make up the difference.

Also, never tip at fast food places unless there's actually a tip jar out. Many fast food places don't allow their employees to receive tips.

[ReZourceman]

God I fucking, fucking, FUCKING love Quentin Tarantino.

[bob]

I found this link handy:

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/a-cheat-sheet-on-tipping-do-s-and-don-ts.html

 

I'm actually heading to New Orleans at the end of July. Mind letting me know how your trip goes and what to see and what to avoid? The hotel I'm staying at is Place d'Armes.

 

Thanks that was helpful (maybe not the funeral section...i hope)

 

If i remember i'll try and let people know how it went when i get back

[Yvonne]

I don't like the tipping concept, but I do tip - the same percentage everytime, regardless. In UK, 10-15%, in USA 20%

 

The problem with tipping is it reinforces a very clear power dynamic between eater and waiting staff. If a staff member is rude to me, I will complain. Otherwise, I want them to have a living wage. The problem in USA is it's balanced so that the only way to have a living wage while waiting is making sure you get your 20% every time, and/or never have to serve europeans who don't know about US wages.

 

Studies show that pay linked directly to performance actually hurts performance over the long term. Further reading "punished by rewards" by Alfie Kohn.

 

Mr Pink probably never waited tables, or struggled with money.

[EddieColeslaw]

There are only two instances where it's a good idea to tip, outside of places that have mandatory tips as part of the bill:

 

1) Anyone who serves you food or beverages, see ^^^

2) Anyone who might be able to steal/vandalize your property or spit/jizz/urinate/etc. into your food/beverage/complimentary shampoo after a tip would be expected.

 

Best guideline so far :p

[Charlie]

I always tip the maids in the apartments I've stayed in on lads holidays because they are notorious for stealing petty cash which is lying about.

 

Give them a decent tip the first time they come in and a small bit each time after that and you'll get a spotless room every single time with regular clean sheets more so than any other room.

[MoogleViper]

Some of those tips are ridiculous. $1 for getting you a drink? It takes less than a minute. In a busy bar they could be getting ~$100 an hour from tips alone.

[Jon]

Not sure about other states, but tipping is a way of life in New York.

[Grazza]

There are only two instances where it's a good idea to tip, outside of places that have mandatory tips as part of the bill:

 

1) Anyone who serves you food or beverages, see ^^^

2) Anyone who might be able to steal/vandalize your property or spit/jizz/urinate/etc. into your food/beverage/complimentary shampoo after a tip would be expected.

 

How sad that this is indeed excellent advice.

 

I don't like mandatory tipping. On the other hand, the Americans and Canadians are entitled to structure their society in any way they choose, and if I went there I would conform to that. When in Rome, etc. All we can do is be vigilant this type of attitude doesn't take hold in Europe. As an Englishman, I'm embarrassed about the London waitress complaining to @Jonnas' friend.

[FalcoLombardi]

Some of those tips are ridiculous. $1 for getting you a drink? It takes less than a minute. In a busy bar they could be getting ~$100 an hour from tips alone.

 

And? Where are you from? I'm in a smaller town where the bartenders treat me well and know my face. Besides, some drinks can cost up to $10. $1 is a 10% tip which is cheap.

[Retro_Link]

Went New York two summers ago...

 

I don't mind so much tipping in Restaurants... they're giving me food.

Paying cab drivers who are taking me round in notes and not asking for change/adding a tip; fine!

 

However, I will not pay someone for carrying the bags to the hotel room... I'm sorry no!

I got them all the way to and from the airport, I do not need someone to stand alongside me in the lift and take my bag inside the door.

They may think it's rude... I don't care.

[Zell]

And? Where are you from? I'm in a smaller town where the bartenders treat me well and know my face. Besides, some drinks can cost up to $10. $1 is a 10% tip which is cheap.

 

In Britain people generally don't tip bar staff for simply pouring you a drink. The mentality here is that you don't tip staff for a job that they're expected to do anyway. The point of tipping is to reward exceptional service, not to bribe people into treating you well.

[MoogleViper]

And?

 

And earning a stupidly large amount like $100 an hour for a menial job like bar service is ridiculous.

 

And because drink are already expensive, paying an extra, expensive tip is ok? what kind of fucked up, retarded logic is that?

[Ramar]

And? Where are you from? I'm in a smaller town where the bartenders treat me well and know my face. Besides, some drinks can cost up to $10. $1 is a 10% tip which is cheap.

 

I know the owner of my local too. The reward for his friendliness and service is my continued custom at his public house.

[EEVILMURRAY]

And? Where are you from? I'm in a smaller town where the bartenders treat me well and know my face. Besides, some drinks can cost up to $10. $1 is a 10% tip which is cheap.

And you feel you need to give more money than that?!

 

$10, about £6.50, there's no way I'm throwing away more money for having such a pricey drink brought to me.

In Britain people generally don't tip bar staff for simply pouring you a drink. The mentality here is that you don't tip staff for a job that they're expected to do anyway. The point of tipping is to reward exceptional service, not to bribe people into treating you well.

Sexily put. If the service I recieve at a meal is great I'll tip, or I can't be bothered to ask for 40p change from a taxi driver at 3am.

Edited June 2, 2012 by EEVILMURRAY