6 tips for determining gratuities
Jessica Mozo | 06/27/2011 |
Who to tip, who not to tip, how much to tip … the subject of tipping can be pretty confusing. But as a general rule, if someone is providing a service for you, it is appropriate to tip them for it.
Service providers who always expect a tip include servers at sit-down restaurants, hairstylists and manicurists, valet parkers, car washers, delivery people, movers, pet groomers, taxi drivers, tour guides and staffers at upscale hotels or resorts. This is assuming you received satisfactory service – you should not feel obligated to tip if the service was rude, incompetent or unreasonably late.
There are other instances when you should not feel obligated to tip, such as at a fast food counter or coffee shop, even if there is a tip jar. That being said, if it is a place you visit regularly and the staff knows you, you might want to drop in a dollar or some spare change.
Read on for more tips on how to determine gratuities.
Consider your Finances.
Knowing what you can afford can help determine whether to tip on the high or low end of the spectrum.
Consider the type of service.
Some service providers are accustomed to receiving percentage-based tips. Restaurant servers and hairstylists, for example, usually get 15 to 20 percent. Others receive a flat tip, such as $2 for a car washer or $10 for a furniture mover.
Evaluate the service.
The decision to tip high or low depends on the quality of service you received and the attitude of the person giving it. The amount also tells the person how they are doing. A server who goes above and beyond might deserve a 20 percent tip,
while for average service, 15 percent is appropriate.
Don’t flaunt it.
It’s best to be inconspicuous about your tip and not leave the money in plain sight. Instead, put it inside the folder your bill came in, leave it in an envelope, or hand it to the service provider discreetly. Keep the amount between you
and the person you’re tipping.
Read the fine print.
Don’t get fooled into tipping twice. Many restaurants automatically add a tip (often called gratuity) to your bill if there are more than six people in your party. Likewise, cruise ships and fancy hotels might include a “service fee” that takes care of tipping. When in doubt, just ask if the tip is included.
Be merciful.
You never know if the person waiting on you is having the worst day of their life, so unless the service is terrible, tip them. Speak to a manager if you feel they should know about poor service. Remember many people make a living off of tips, so don’t be stingy.
Tipping Guide
Want a little more tipping know-how? Check out this list of service providers and their common gratuities:
Servers, 15 to 20 percent
Buffet restaurant server, 10 percent
Taxi/limo driver, 15 to 20 percent
Hairstylist/manicurist, 15 percent
Barber, $2 or $3
Valet parker, $1 or $2
Car washer, $2
Tour guide, $2 or $3
Bellhop, $1 per bag handled
Hotel maid, $3 per night
Coat checker, $1
Pizza deliverer, $2 or 10 percent
Mover, $10
Pet groomer, 15 percent
Coffee barista, optional
Jessica Mozo
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