Tipping
The salaries for workers in some professions, such as waitresses and taxi drivers, are less than a minimum wage, and it is difficult for workers to survive only on the salary paid by the employer. Tips (additional money you give to certain employees for their service) are considered to be a part of the workers’ salary.
- Giving tips for certain jobs is standard in the U.S.
- Waiters, waitresses, bartenders and taxi drivers are always tipped 15% of bill for adequate service, 20% or more for very good service, and no less than 10% for poor service.
Hairdressers and spa employees are usually tipped 15-20% of the cost of their services. For other services such as the person who shampoos your hair at the salon, tip $2-5 to the service provider.
For other professions, the amount to tip can vary depending on the level of service and the quality of the establishment, but here are some good guidelines of what you should give:
- Person who helps you with your luggage or bags should usually be tipped $1 per bag.
- Hotel house keepers are usually tipped $2-$5 per night.
- Parking valet (person who parks your car) is usually tipped $2-$7.
- Person who delivers food (pizza, sandwiches, etc.) to your home or office is tipped 10-20% of the order, and at least $2 for orders less than $10. It’s good to tip 20% for a difficult delivery (some examples of a difficult delivery include bad weather, lots of stairs to your floor of the apartment building, if the store is far from you, or if the neighborhood is dangerous for drivers and they are at higher risk for being robbed).
- Coatroom attendants are usually tipped $1 per coat.
- Professional movers hired to move furniture are usually tipped $4-$6 per person per hour.
It is optional to tip staff at coffee/food retailers (for example, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and ice cream shops) that have tip jars on the counter when you pick up your order. Tips are not usually given in cafeterias or “fast food” establishments such as McDonalds or Burger King.
There are some people who you do not have to tip or should not tip:
- Gas station attendants
- Bus drivers (unless they are a guide on a tour; tour guides should be tipped usually around a couple of dollars for short tours)
- Store clerks or cashiers
Be sure never to tip or give gifts to government employees, because this can be categorized as a bribe and is a serious crime. Government employees include:
- Policemen
- Customs or immigration officials
- Driver's test examiners
- Anyone associated with a public service job