Acknowledging Good Customer Service: Tipping Etiquette

While you may think that the cost of service is included in the food, it isn't. Tipping is ingrained into numerous cultures, and if you try to get away without tipping, you'll only look foolish and rude. Tipping is a way to show your appreciation for good or exceptional service.

Tipping Etiquette in Restaurants

The standard tip is fifteen to twenty percent, depending on the service. A few years ago, fifteen percent was considered generous, but now it's a sign that you found their customer service merely acceptable. Excellent service deserves more, particularly as tips in good restaurants are shared with busboys.

Tipping in Hotels and Airports

Generally, tipping in airports and on arrival at your hotel is reserved for the bag handlers. Porters should get one to two dollars per bag, or more if they're particularly heavy.
 
At the hotel, tip the maid daily as a different person may be cleaning your room on different days. Again, good customer service earns more, with two to three dollars for great service and a dollar a day for lower-level service. Remember to tip the valet parking attendant and the attendants at the pool if they're fetching deck chairs and towels. Room service tipping is the same as restaurant service at fifteen to twenty percent.

No Tipping Necessary

In some establishments, such as bed and breakfasts or small restaurants where the owner serves your meal, no tip is expected and it may even be prohibited. Large grocery store chains don't allow their employees to accept tips for taking groceries to your car. In foreign countries, enquire before tipping.

In some establishments, the service charge is added to the bill and no additional tipping is expected. For knock-your-socks-off exceptional service, though, you're free to leave extra. If you're not sure whether service is included, ask. Many U.S. restaurants add fifteen percent for service when your party is relatively large.

When you're traveling overseas, check your travel guide for tipping information. In some countries (Australia, China, Italy, Japan, New Zealand), tips are not part of the culture and may even be an insult. In U.K. pubs, offer to buy the bartender (publican) a drink rather than leaving cash.

Overseas Travel: Tour Guides, Bus Drivers, and Taxi Drivers

You should plan to tip your tour guide fifteen to twenty percent of the cost of the tour. If your hotel provides the tour, tip them in foreign currency equivalent to about three or four U.S. dollars a day. Taxi drivers should receive fifteen percent of the fare as a tip, and up to twenty percent if they hold your door open, help you with baggage or answer questions. Bus drivers who handle baggage should be tipped like skycaps and bellboys.

International Tipping

When traveling abroad, local custom dictates the tipping standard for a particular country. It is important to be familiar with the unique perspective a given country because what goes in China might be frowned upon in Canada.

In certain countries, the tip is already included as part of your restaurant bill. Such places include China, France, and Italy.

In other areas, tipping is not included in the bill and is not part of local custom. If you are in Germany, Japan, and New Zealand, don’t tip.

In Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States, tipping is standard, usually ranging from 10-15%.

If you are unsure of what is socially acceptable in your destination, consult your travel agent or ask a concierge at your hotel when you arrive.

A Dollar Here, A Dollar There

Good manners dictate that you acknowledge customer service of any kind. In general, service personnel earn low wages and count on your generosity, so don't forget to leave a dollar for the woman checking your coat, a few dollars for musicians in the lounge and a dollar for the restroom attendant. Think ahead so you won't be surprised at how much you spend for service.

At the Car Wash

At the car wash, look for the person who took the lead in polishing your car. Tip at least three dollars if the team did a good job. Don't forget—the money is usually shared around.

Delivery

Tip your pizza delivery driver about fifteen percent, but if you used coupons to get a special deal, you should tip at least two dollars—it's not his fault that you got a great deal. If flowers are delivered to your hotel room, tip two dollars.

Your Call

Paperboys, babysitters, mail carriers and other regular providers should be tipped once a year, usually during the winter holidays. Teachers and other professionals should not be tipped, but remembered with a small gift if you can afford it.

Mental Calculations

If math isn't your strong suit, stick to twenty percent. It's easy. Just take the dollar amount, double it and divide by 10. For example, on a $37.65 bar tab, double the dollars (twice 37 is 74) and divide by 10 ($7.40).