Knowing who to tip can be confusing, but in the US, workers like waiters, bartenders, and hairdressers should be tipped at the point of service. Regular service providers should also receive a year-end tip or gift. Tipping practices vary by country, with some adding a service charge and others expecting a tip. When in doubt, it’s best to ask the manager about common tipping practices.
Deciding who to tip can be difficult. In the United States, many in the service industry base part of their income on tips. Also, some people, who don’t tip regularly, may expect a small annual gift, particularly when you can afford it. Knowing who to tip in other countries can be confusing, as some countries have changed their ways.
In the United States, the following workers should be tipped at the point of service:
Waiter/waitress — 15-20% of check
Bartender — 1-2 US Dollars (USD) or 15-20% of total tab
Pizza delivery person — 10-15% of tab
Hairdresser — 10-15% of the amount for the service
Manicure — 10-15% of the total amount
Masseuse — 10-15% of the massage price
Shampoo in salone — 1-2 USD
Taxi or limousine driver — 15% of the total
Valet Parking — 5-10 USD at car pick-up and drop-off
Garage Attendant – USD 5-10 when picking up the car
Skycap or Hotel Valet — 1-2 USD per bag
Room Service — 15-20% tab
Hotel cleaning — USD 1-5 per night
Furniture Delivery — USD 10-20 per piece of furniture or appliance
Floral delivery — 5-10 USD
Caterers you hired: $20-100 per waiter/waitress depending on the size and needs of the event
If you can afford it, even those who provide you with regular service should be tipped at the end of the year. These include:
Newspaper rack — $20-40, more if you can afford it
Regular Babysitting — 1-2 nights of paid babysitting and a gift from your child or children
Nanny — 1 week’s pay and a gift from your family or child
Hairdresser — price of one session, from 10-100 dollars
Apartment door clerks — $10-100
Apartment garage attendant — 20-30 per attendant, especially if you don’t tip at the service point
Personal trainer — price per session
Regular masseuse — price per session
Domestic cleaning: one week’s pay
Personal assistant — from one week to one month’s pay
Landscaping or gardening service: USD 20-50 per worker.
Dog sitter: one week’s pay
Some people should get year-end or end-of-service gifts instead of cash. These include postal workers, teachers, private nurses and people who make regular deliveries. Many couriers, as well as postal workers, may accept a gift but not cash. Giving money to teachers is offensive; however, a gift certificate is usually welcome.
Canada uses similar tipping practices as the United States. Until recently, Australians did not have a tipping culture, although some restaurants and hotels now expect tips. Some countries in Europe add a tip to your bill, which you should check before tipping. For example, many places in Austria add a 10% service charge. However, it is expected to add about 5% more. In the UK, restaurants in England may add a service charge. Tipping in pubs, however, is not expected. In Ireland, most restaurants already tip, but if it doesn’t exist, follow US tipping practices.
Even though places in most European countries charge a service fee, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer a tip of 10% or more. When no service charge is assessed, you should definitely tip. In Australia, you may just want to ask what tipping practices are common where you will be staying and eating. Ask the manager instead of the service person because it puts the service person in a difficult position where they have to ask you for money if a tip is expected.
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