Originally Posted by
Nicksta
I live in the USA and also dislike the tipping everywhere custom. Give yourself this comfort, though. There is no custom. Tipping customs are all over the place. And those receiving the tips act awkward in receiving them as do those who fumble tipping. Don't overthink it.
For me - $1/bag at a hotel. But I never let them take my laptop case.
Taxis - 10% of the fare, unless they SUCK.
Restaurants - 20% of the bill.
Drinks - $1/each
Valet - $5
Front desk - never tipped. Hotel maids - only in London and Egypt. Doorman - nope - never even thought about it. Tip cup at the sandwich shop. You must be joking.
This is the best and most accurate reply to this thread, in my opinion.
At a hotel the ONLY people you need to tip are people handling your bags, and the valet.
Outside of the hotel setting, the ONLY people you need to tip are a) bartenders, b) waiters, and c) taxi drivers. (edit: I sometimes tip people delivering large items into my house, but doubtful you'll be doing any of that as a tourist :-) )
And
Nicksta covered all five categories perfectly.
I've never, ever tipped a front-desk clerk in a hotel. Ever. And I've stayed in hundreds of hotels all over the US.