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
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
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.
