Everybody thinks differently in terms of tips. Tips were originally just little extras for superb service and now they are a must. Since I have never worked in a business were I was tipped, I think tipping is ridiculous. The employees get paid a per hour rate and that should be good enough. If they do something special then a tip could be given. I know some restaurants split the tip throughout the employee crew and if no tip is given, it comes out of the server’s salary. Now that is stupid! Here is a list of what is acceptable to tip, but by no means should you totally follow this.
RESTAURANTS/BARS
| Waiter/waitress: |
15% of bill (excl. tax) for adequate service; 20% for very good service; no less than 10% for poor service |
| Headwaiter/captain: |
often gets a cut of table server’s tip; so tip your server extra to reward captain, or tip captain separately |
| Sommelier, or wine steward: |
15% of cost of the bottle |
| Bartender: |
15% to 20% of the tab, with a minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink |
| Coatroom attendant: |
$1 per coat |
| Parking valet or garage attendant: |
$2 to bring your car to you |
| Washroom attendant: |
50 cents to $1 |
DAILY LIFE
| Taxi driver: |
Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags. |
| Food delivery person: |
10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery. |
| Grocery loader: |
Check with store policy if tips are accepted. If so, $1 for bringing bags to car; $1.50 to $3 if you have more than 3 bags. |
| Barber: |
15% to 20%, minimum $1, for a haircut. For other services (shampoo, shave or manicure) tip $1 to $2 to service provider. |
| Hairdresser: |
15% to 20%. (It is now acceptable to tip owner, unless he or she says otherwise.) |
| Shampoo person: |
$2 |
| Spa service (e.g., massage): |
15% to 20%. If service is provided by owner, no tip. |
| Staff at coffee/food retailers with tip jars: |
No tip required. It’s completely optional. |
| Handyman: |
No tip |
| Gas attendant: |
No tip |
TRAVEL
| Skycap at airport: |
$1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter. |
| Hotel doorman: |
$1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab |
| Hotel bellhop: |
$1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag) |
| Hotel housekeeper: |
$2 to $5* per night |
| Hotel concierge: |
$5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they’re hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions. |
| Cruise: |
Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities. |