OK, having philosophized sufficiently I will now attempt to help out our Aussie friend whose questions seem to have gotten largely lost amid the debate over the moral big picture.

$2 per Scotch sounds a bit much to me, even if the place is upscale. Then again, I've been yelled at by my dining companions a number of times for daring to contradict their assertion that the server was young and pretty and female and therefore must get a 33% tip. (I will stop short of saying which part(s) I contradicted. ) It's been a couple of years for me, but last time I was in an upscale NYC alcohol-serving establishment Scotches were going for about $8 each. A tip of $1 per drink should be sufficient. Only tip $2 per if you feel you have received some of the best bartending of your life.

2 and 3 are usually the same; a total tip of $1-2 per bag will suffice (maybe a little extra if you have particularly cumbersome luggage). 4 is the subject of some debate. Some folks give a dollar or two even if the guy does nothing besides direct the guest to the first available taxi. As for me, I only tip the man if he helps load my luggage into the taxi, in which case he gets a dollar. (I'm cheap and I travel light.)

5 is the subject of intense debate. (Search TravelBuzz! for past threads.) It seems the majority tips between $1 and $3 per night, to be left on one of the furniture items at the end of the stay. Some folks swear that leaving a large ($5+) tip on the first night ensures extra-good housekeeping from then until departure time, but whenever I've tried to tip on a night-by-night basis the money has been dutifully left for me right where I put it. A sizeable and vocal contingent doesn't tip hotel maids at all. In the end it's up to you decide whether and how much to tip the maid.

That sounds good to me, but again you'll find lots of people insist that the shuttle driver be tipped a buck or two whether or not you need help with your bags. Personally, I rarely stay in airport hotels so I haven't much experience in this area.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">7. Room service (10%)

This is one of few "tipped" services for which a service charge is usually added automatically in the USA. Check to see if this is the case. Keep in mind there will often be a separate line on the bill for you to write in a tip even if a service charge has already been added. Don't fall for this if it happens to you. If there is no service charge then leave the same 15% tip you would leave for food service in restaurants.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">8. Taxi (15%, or USD2 whichever is more)

That's a pretty good estimate, though if the fare is $5 or less (as may happen with an 8- or 10-block trip in light traffic in NYC) then a $1 tip will suffice. Less than $1 is just plain tacky, even for me.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">From the above thread, I think 15% will be fine for restaurants.

Darn right, and don't let the ex-waiters' lobby tell you different. (By all means, though, do adjust the amount for notably good or bad service.)

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If it is relevant I am 25 (but prob look about 20) and am travelling with another guy who is 30 (but prob looks 25).

It isn't relevant really, but if you want to live like an American while you're here I will add that lots of American guys with your age and looks like to assuage their insecurity about dealing with the opposite sex, by leaving inordinately large tips (30-50% or even more) to young, shapely waitresses, without regard for quality of service. (See my comment above.) Honestly, the waitress could forget to even bring the food and these guys would still tip one-third of the bill. If you would like to try throwing your money out the window in a uniquely American way, feel free to try this one. Personally I don't care for the feeling it gives.

[This message has been edited by Factotum (edited 06-03-2003).]