How Much Should I Tip?

Do you get this question all the time?  Everyone turns to you and says, "you're good with money, is this enough?"  "Is This Enough?"  Now, that's a loaded question.  Just how much is enough?  While we're on the topic, shouldn't we establish exactly whom to tip and whom not to tip?  Let me preface this by saying that I have never worked in a job or industry in which tipping was standard or expected.  Maybe it means that I don't understand how difficult their jobs are, or how important the tips are.  Nonetheless, I have always been a fairly generous tipper.

So, I turned to an expert for guidance.  The site tipping.org has more than you could ever want to know about tipping.  They even break it down into categories, such as Airport, Hair Salon, Casino, Cruise Ships, Hotel, Parking Garage, Restaurant, Taxi, and Wedding!  Phew!  And I left out the absurd ones:  Chartered Flights, Exotic Clubs (don't you just bring a bunch of Ones?), Pet Related, Supermarket!!!  So, I guess the answer to the question above is that we are supposed to tip EVERYONE!

Let's talk restaurant, because that is the most common tipping situation most of us find ourselves in.  The guide says "15% of bill. 20% If it is a 4 star + restaurant or for large parties."  I can understand the higher tip for large parties, as there is likely a lot of work involved.  But, 20% for a 4 star restaurant?  So, dinner for four at the five and dime running into $24 means a tip of $3.60, while dinner for four at Chez Foo Foo, running into a tab of $125 means a tip of $25.  Did the Garcon at Chez Foo Foo really do seven times more or better work than the waitress at the five and dime?  I have a hard time believing that is the case.  In fact, I would probably be inclined to tip the five and dime waitress 20%, or $4.80 (and round up to $5), and the Garcon at Chez Foo Foo 15%, or $18.75 (and still round up to $19, maybe even $20 if I'm feeling generous).  You can read for yourself about the $20-$100 for the Maitre d' and other craziness.

Taxi Driver.  It's pretty straighforward: "15% of fare, no less than 25 cents"  Sounds fair.

How about Hotels?  Chaimbermaid:  "$5 a night minimum.  More if long stays; consider $7-$9 per night"  Bellhop:  "$10 for bringing you to your room with luggage.  $5 for opening and showing the room."

Wow, suddenly I don't consider myself such a generous tipper.  $5 a night for the maid?  I usually leave a buck or two on the pillow.  No wonder I don't always get little mints!

By the way, you're supposed to tip your grocery bagger $1 per bag.  How many of you do this?

For kicks, let's see how much the exotic dancer are supposed to get:  "If the patron is going to sit at the stage, min $3 tip per song, per person."  Boy, my Ones will run out pretty quickly at that rate.

So, what do you think of all this?  Frankly, I think there are too many businesses with their hand out these days.  I don't mind tipping, but what happened to tips really being an acronym for, "Tipping Insures Proper Service?"  Shouldn't most place just charge more and pay their staff better?  But, would that reduce the quality of the service that we receive?  I really don't know the answer.  Tips have come to be so expected, I'm not sure how much it would change things.

I know one thing, I don't like doing math after a few beers.

Comments

[Tim]

I agree, too many businesses have their hands out. Plus, $5 per night at a hotel?? That seems a little high.

[fxsalon]

hair stylists will take good care of your hair if you tip him/her well.

[Jennye]

So recently I was told I would be given a free photoshoot if I tipped the photographer... The shoot is supposed to range from $300-$500 what should I tip the photographer? O.o

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