An interesting question came up on Reddit relating to tipping in airport lounges. The same question is appropriate to tipping for complimentary breakfasts at hotels. Should you tip the staff at these places or not? These personnel include the bartender, people cleaning your tables, an omlet chef or even a waitress bringing you coffee when you have the buffet?
It will come as no surprise that opinions varied greatly. It seems that there is a large percentage of people who have tip rage going on. They feel that tipping has gotten so out of control that they refuse to tip people in a whole bunch of situations.
My take on tipping is
Restaurant Waitstaff
| Service Quality | Suggested Tip Percentage |
| Average Service | 15% |
| Good Service | 20% |
| Exceptional Service | 25% |
So, if you’re at a restaurant and your bill is $100, you’re looking at tipping:
- $15 for average service
- $20 for good service
- $25 for exceptional service
What to Do When Service is Subpar
We’ve all had those days when the service just doesn’t cut it. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s what to do:
- Assess the situation: Was the server overwhelmed? Did the kitchen mess up your order?
- Consider leaving a lower tip: If the service was truly bad, you can tip less than 15%, but don’t go to zero unless it was a complete disaster.
- Speak up: If you feel comfortable, let the manager know about your experience. They might offer a solution!
Tipping for Large Groups: The Automatic Gratuity
When dining with a big crew, many restaurants automatically add a gratuity to your bill. This is usually around 18-20%. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Check the bill: Always look for the automatic gratuity before adding your own tip.
- Don’t double tip: If the gratuity is included, you don’t need to add more unless the service was outstanding.
- Communicate with your group: Make sure everyone knows how much is being tipped to avoid confusion.
Remember, tipping is part of the dining experience in the U.S. If you can’t afford to tip, you might want to reconsider dining out.
So there you have it! Tipping at restaurants doesn’t have to be a mystery. Just remember the percentages, assess the service, and enjoy your meal!
Tipping at Cafes and Bars: The Unspoken Rules
Coffee Shop Conundrums: To Tip or Not to Tip
When we stroll into a coffee shop, we often wonder if we should tip. The answer? It depends! If you’re just grabbing a quick coffee to go, tipping isn’t necessary. But if the barista remembers your order or goes the extra mile, a little change (like rounding up to the nearest dollar) is a nice gesture.
Bartender’s Best Friend: The $1-2 Rule
At bars, the standard is pretty straightforward: we should tip $1 to $2 per drink. So, whether we’re sipping on a simple beer or a fancy cocktail, we should keep those dollar bills handy. If we’re in a larger group, we might want to tip a bit more since the bartender is working harder to keep our drinks flowing.
| Drink Type | Suggested Tip |
| Beer | $1 |
| Cocktail | $1-$2 |
| Elaborate Cocktail | 15-20% of total |
Group Gatherings: How Much is Enough?
When we’re out with friends, tipping can get a bit tricky. Here’s a quick guide:
- For 2 rounds of drinks for a couple:Â $2-$4
- For a group of 4 or more:Â $2-$3 per drink
- If we’re at a cafe with table service, aim for 15% of the total bill.
Remember, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service. It’s not just about the money; it’s about making someone’s day a little brighter!
Hotel and Lodging Tipping Tips
When we check into a hotel, we often wonder about the tipping rules that come with it. Here’s a fun guide to help us navigate the tipping waters without sinking!
Bellhops and Bags: The $2-5 Guide
- Tip the bellhop $1-2 for each bag they carry to our room. If they’re hauling our entire wardrobe, maybe consider tipping a bit more!
- For those fancy hotels, we might want to tip on the higher end of that scale. After all, they’re lifting our luggage, not just our spirits!
Housekeeping Help: Daily Tips
- The general rule is to leave $2 to $5 a day for housekeeping. This is a nice way to say thanks for keeping our room tidy and our towels fluffy.
- Remember, if we’re staying multiple nights, it’s best to leave a tip each day since different staff might clean our room.
Concierge Conundrums: When and How Much
- For simple requests, like getting a dinner reservation, a $5 tip is usually good. If they pull off something spectacular, like getting us into a fully booked restaurant, we might want to tip $10 or more.
- If we’re feeling extra generous, we can tip up to $50 for exceptional service. Just think of it as a way to make their day a little brighter!
| Service Type | Suggested Tip |
| Bellhop | $1-2 per bag |
| Housekeeping | $2-5 per day |
| Concierge | $5-50 depending on service |
Tipping is not just about the money; it’s about showing appreciation for the hard work that goes into making our stay enjoyable.
So, let’s keep these tips in mind and make our hotel experience a little more pleasant for everyone involved!
Transportation and Travel Tipping
When we’re on the go in the U.S., tipping can feel like a game of chance. But don’t worry, we’ve got the lowdown on how to navigate this tipping maze without losing our minds (or our wallets). Tipping is expected in most travel situations, so let’s break it down!
Taxi and Rideshare: The 15-20% Standard
When we hop into a taxi or an Uber, we should tip around 10-15% of the fare. If the driver is super friendly or helps with our bags, we might want to bump that up a bit. Here’s a quick table to help us remember:
| Service Type | Tip Amount |
| Taxi Drivers | 10% of the fare or $2, whichever is greater |
| Rideshare Drivers | 10-15% of the fare |
Airport Etiquette: Skycaps and Shuttle Drivers
At the airport, we often encounter skycaps and shuttle drivers. For skycaps, we should tip $1-2 per bag. If we’re using a shuttle, a tip of $1-2 per bag is also a good rule of thumb, especially if they help us out.
Tour Guides and Excursions: The Per-Person Protocol
If we’re taking a tour, it’s customary to tip our guides. A good range is $3-10 per day depending on how entertaining and informative they are. For one-off tours, we can tip about 15% of the total cost.
Remember, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service. It’s not just about the money; it’s about making someone’s day a little brighter!
So, whether we’re zipping around in a taxi, catching a shuttle, or exploring with a guide, let’s keep these tipping tips in mind. Happy travels!
Tipping in Unusual Situations
When we think about tipping, we usually picture a nice restaurant or a bar. But hold on! There are plenty of unusual situations where tipping is just as important. Let’s dive into some of these quirky scenarios and figure out how to navigate them without looking like a total newbie.
Valet Parking: The Driveway Dilemma
Valet parking can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Here’s the deal:
- Tip $1-5 when you drop off your car.
- Tip again when you pick it up, especially if they’ve parked it far away.
- If they’ve done something special, like cleaning your windshield, feel free to throw in a little extra!
Restroom Attendants: To Tip or Not?
Ah, the restroom attendant. It’s a bit awkward, but here’s how to handle it:
- Tip $1-3 depending on the level of service (like if they offer you fancy soap or towels).
- If they’re just standing there, a polite nod and a smile might suffice.
- Remember, they’re there to keep things clean and pleasant, so a little appreciation goes a long way!