Tipping

This is a subject that needs your attention. In Australia we are used to only tipping in restaurants, and even then - only if we're happy with the service. However tipping in America is something that you will probably do on a regular basis. There's a good reason for this difference. In many service industries in America, workers earn only a very minimal wage, and rely heavily on the tips they receive to make up the difference. That, and the fact that it's been a custom for so long it's endemic in America. Here's some helpful hints on tipping.

• Who to tip? Waiters/waitresses, barpeople, luggage-carriers, cab drivers, room-service delivery people, bellhops, hairdressers, furniture delivery people, and sometimes the people who help load your groceries into your car. This last might not be the case, as many supermarkets don't allow it.
• What to tip? For meal service, cab drivers, and hairdressers, it's generally about 15% of the cost of the service. So if your meal cost $20, then you'd tip $3.00. For bar-people, luggage carriers, and bellhops, it's usually just what you feel like giving them. Anything from $1.00 to $5.00 maybe.
• Furniture-delivery people are a bit different. Some people tip them, some people don't. If some poor guy has nearly killed himself carrying your new couch up your stairs, a tip would probably be very welcome. :)
• Some restaurants will automatically add a tip percentage (gratuity) into the bill, or they will have a place for you to write down your tip amount on your bill, so that it's all paid for together. If this happens, then there's no need to leave a cash tip.
• Having said all that, there is no requirement to tip if you'd prefer not to. However, don't expect the same service the next time if you don't, and you'll probably get a nasty look.

Reader Feedback on this Topic

• I would like to know whether you need to tip in a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee house, it’s really takeaway, but I was in a Caribou Coffee the other day and the tip jar was there large as life on the counter, so I just put in 50c, but this really adds to the price of the coffee. - Ruth

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