Tipping in the US

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kikokuk

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kikokuk
Dec 2, 2021 20 Comments

Flying to NY next week and it's my first time in the US. I'm super excited! I read that I need to tip everybody rendering me a service.

Does that only apply to restaurants or do you also tip a cashier, a bus driver, etc. ?

And if so, how much should I tip them?

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  • Amazon
    x100

    Go to company page Amazon

    x100
    Rule of thumb is whenever someone providing you some service which you can do it by yourself. Like driving around, delivering something from some place, serving you food instead of you doing a to go, etc etc
    Dec 2, 2021 1
  • New / R&D
    Psynaptic

    New R&D

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    Neuralink
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     Psynaptic
    I don't tip. It's morally wrong for a living wage to be up to the customer. Terrible system.

    I'll let the tippers subsidize my meal a bit, and play my small part in introducing volatility to waiters' lives so they ask the restaurant manager to pay them a fair, living wage. It's a short term meanness for a long term better system.
    Dec 2, 2021 6
    • Tradeweb
      blind_uzer

      Go to company page Tradeweb

      blind_uzer
      NYC abolished subminimum wage(~2.30/hr) everywhere except the restaurant/nightclub industry. The restaurant industry didn't want to move to a fixed minimum wage (~15/hr) as they feared loss of income, as tipping brings in more money.

      "Restaurant workers reportedly fought against the proposal, fearing a higher minimum wage would mean fewer tips and ultimately less income. "

      https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/state-and-local-updates/pages/new-york-to-end-subminimum-wage-for-many-tipped-workers.aspx
      Dec 2, 2021
    • New / R&D
      Psynaptic

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       Psynaptic
      @SAS It totally doesn't disincentivize good service, lol. If it did, Asia and Europe would have the worst service, and yet study after study shows there's no difference in server quality with or without tipping. It all is just a money passing around exercise, and the way the money moves here in the US tipping system is more inefficient and more volatile for the server. Totally unreasonable.
      Dec 2, 2021
  • Mainly only restaurants (waiters/waitresses). If you pay with a card, there’s a tip line on the bill where you write in the amount. If you pay cash, wait for your change first and then leave the tip on the table right before you leave. Some upscale restaurants will either suggest a gratuity or add it to your bill for you, but that’s rare. It’s also normal to tip your bellhop in your hotel if they help bring your luggage to your room.

    This reminds me of the time I was in Europe and two Finnish guys I was sitting next to at dinner found out I was American, and said pointedly “you have a terrible tipping culture”. I completely agree, Finland!
    Dec 2, 2021 0
  • Tipping is optional but proper etiquette in US. In certain scenarios its expected, but never required.

    Sit down restaurant its expected to tip waiter, at least 15-20% of your total bill. However if the service is really bad thats up to your discretion, and can be less or none. Check the bill, make sure “gratuity” isnt already included

    Taxis, yes few bucks, especially if they help you with luggage or bring your far.

    Fast food place, cashier, coffeeshop etc.. they usually have a tip jar. Optional, maybe your change after paying or a dollar or two if the service was good and person was friendly.

    Food delivery like pizza or ubereats, yes usually like a few bucks, avg is prob 3-5. Unless they screw up order or come super late.

    Try to tip cash instead of card for smaller tips so that the person giving the service gets it directly.

    You generally don’t tip public services like the bus.

    At hotel can tip if they help with luggages or cleaning lady cleans room.

    Should also tip bartenders if they are good and friendly, dont tip the low effort ones.

    *Also for haircuts

    Have fun in NY!
    Dec 2, 2021 2
    • Facebook
      🥾 ⛺️

      Go to company page Facebook

      🥾 ⛺️
      As a former pizza delivery person: 4 was probably average. My go to is to tip the higher of 5$ or 20%. Basically 5$ is my floor but if you order 10 pizzas it is more work for you the delivery driver and a 20 is greatly appreciated. Anything less than higher of 3$ or 10% would make you a cheap ass though in my mind.

      You can only carry so many pizzas at once and also do so many deliveries in one run usually. Big order eliminates deliveries I can make in one run, small order eliminates a percentage I can make.
      Dec 2, 2021
    • Also a former delivery person, and agreed. My rule of thumb is at least cover a gallon of gas rounded up, but as you mentioned if its a very large order the tip should be higher, especially for a party or something like that
      Dec 2, 2021
  • Tip waiter/waitress if you think they did a good service in restaurant. Tip driver if they help load/unload your luggage.
    Dec 2, 2021 0