Tipping in America?
#107
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I once had the embarrassing experience of sitting next to a colleague, after his meal, who pulled out a calculator to determine the EXACT tip to 6 decimal points.
Come on, folks, for most of us here it's 'pennies/cents'. For the low-paid USA staff it's a lifeline [and taxed on the IRS expectation of earnings]. That's the US system, and I'll happily go with the flow ... and from long experience I get a fantastic return in service/priority.
#109
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#110
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#111
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#112
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Most scenarios have been covered, though 2 others would be :
Salon - The girl that cuts my hair in NY expects a 25% tip
Coat check - Often forgotten. It amazes me the amount of people in NY that spend $150 each on dinner or $1000 on table service in a club yet fail to hand the coat check girl/guy a couple of bucks per coat
#113
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#114
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#115
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Tell me about it . However, in the U.S., I feel I have become quite good at avoiding tipping situations (thus not earning normal or top end restaurants or their employees very much money).
Last edited by tsastor; Jun 29, 2010 at 1:05 pm
#116
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Hi,
I generally tip;
15-20% in Restaurants, Bar meals ( more often towards the 20% and maybe more unless the service is poor) I dine alone most of the time and do not ususally have alcohol so the bill is usually reasonable and the difference between 15 & 20 % is minor to me
Bellboys -usually a couple of $ per case unless it is a long way ( ie at the tapatio cliffs or squaw peak in PHX they can drive you up to the room then it would be $5 or more
Doorman A buck or 2 if they call me a cab
Housekeeping- I give a couple of bucks a day ( amybe a bit more at the more expensive chain hotels as their job is not an easy one). I usually leave out a $ for turndown service ( more if it is a thorough turndown ie extra towels , chocolate, bins emptied). Usually it is not take from the desk but if I'm in the room when they come round then I will give it to them.
On my final night I will leave more money when I leave ( inc quarters oor dimes ) esp when leaving to go back to the UK and will leave a buck or two extra if there is more rubbish in the room ( ie when I have been at an outlet mall)
Buffets- A couple of bucks or so . In Las Vegas if the waitperson has been good ( ie regular refills and coffee)then an extra buck or two
I dislike the tip jars at the food courts/ Starbucks etc.
Regards
TBS
I generally tip;
15-20% in Restaurants, Bar meals ( more often towards the 20% and maybe more unless the service is poor) I dine alone most of the time and do not ususally have alcohol so the bill is usually reasonable and the difference between 15 & 20 % is minor to me
Bellboys -usually a couple of $ per case unless it is a long way ( ie at the tapatio cliffs or squaw peak in PHX they can drive you up to the room then it would be $5 or more
Doorman A buck or 2 if they call me a cab
Housekeeping- I give a couple of bucks a day ( amybe a bit more at the more expensive chain hotels as their job is not an easy one). I usually leave out a $ for turndown service ( more if it is a thorough turndown ie extra towels , chocolate, bins emptied). Usually it is not take from the desk but if I'm in the room when they come round then I will give it to them.
On my final night I will leave more money when I leave ( inc quarters oor dimes ) esp when leaving to go back to the UK and will leave a buck or two extra if there is more rubbish in the room ( ie when I have been at an outlet mall)
Buffets- A couple of bucks or so . In Las Vegas if the waitperson has been good ( ie regular refills and coffee)then an extra buck or two
I dislike the tip jars at the food courts/ Starbucks etc.
Regards
TBS
#117
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Their function is to call security to remove passengers who express their displeasure.
#118
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Hold on there; dont speak for all of us Yanks! I enjoy leaving a good tip for a waitperson that provided exemplary service in a restaurant, or a bartender that took good care of me during a busy time. Gotta keep those $1 drafts flowing during Happy Hour.
I don't tip the cashier that rings up my take away.
For take-out orders where the host takes the order, packages the food, includes utensils, condiments, etc., it is somewhat customary and very appreciated to give 10%. (In most casual restaurants the host is not paid much more than the other waitstaff but typically receives only a small portion of tips.)
#119
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#120
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