How much to tip
If you ask 10 people how much to tip in a given situation, you'll get several answers and a slew of hot-headed opinions about the "right" thing to do.
To help start your next debate, here's a quick guide to customary gratuities for various services. The guide is provided by the Emily Post Institute. Those with passionate views about how much to tip the pizza-delivery guy, please see the information in the footnote provided by two other sources.
(For a look at the real reasons we tip and whether tipping has anything to do with the quality of service we receive, click here.)
| | | 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 |
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| | | 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 | | Manicurist: | 15% | | 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 | * Mike Lynn, associate professor of consumer behavior at the Cornell Hotel School suggests tipping pizza delivery folk a minimum of $2 per pizza. His reasoning: Food delivery can be dangerous if delivering to crime-ridden neighborhoods or driving in bad weather, etc. The Web site www.tipthepizzaguy.com suggests the following: 15% for normal service, with a $2 minimum 20% for excellent service 10% or less for poor service at least 10% for orders of $50 or more. Don't assume a delivery charge, if there is one, goes to the pizza deliverer. Ask the person who takes your order.
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| | | 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. |
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Source: Emily Post Institute
* Additional source: Tipping.org
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