Image by juliejordanscott via FlickrI remember when I was just a young man my first job was delivering the daily paper that was my first exposure to tipping. Besides delivering the paper I had to go door to door collecting the money for the subscriptions. I met a lot of fine people and along the way I got myself some nice tips. Being on the receiving end of tips I never forgot how appreciative I felt when I received one. It made me appreciate the whole tipping process. If you ever go to dinner with someone who has work as a server in a restaurant, they are the first to speak up if they think you are under tipping.
Those days of my paper route are long gone but I never give it a second thought to include a nice tip when I am treated well by a hair stylist, server, or someone that you deal with on a regular basis. Remember when you tip, put yourself in the place of person you are tipping because it will give you a better perspective on the process.
You can get as many opinions on how much to tip as there are people. So I wanted to see if there were any guides to help in deciding how much is the proper amount to tip in different circumstances. At couponsherpa.com and itipping.com there are some great lists to get you started.
Here are a few tipping suggestions to get you going:
1. Take-Out Food: 10 percent when you pay. Tip based on total cost if you use coupons.
2. Chain Coffee Shops: 25 cents tossed in the tip jar.
3. Hair Stylist: 15 to 20 percent.
4. Taxi: 10 to 15 percent is standard, 20 percent if the driver helps you with heavy bags.
5. Grocery Baggers: $1 to $3, depending on the number of bags loaded into your car. (What if you bag your own groceries?)
6. Tattoo Artists: 10 to 20 percent, depending on complexity.
7. Movers: $10 to $20 per mover.
8. Dog Groomers: $10 per pet.
9. Hotel Housekeeper: $2 to $5 per night.
10. Gas attendant: No tip.
Looking through this short list and the more complete list at couponsherpa.com I realize that I have been over tipping in some categories and under tipping in others.
Tipping in our society is a pleasant way to show appreciation to someone who has served you well and maybe made you happy. To others it is the bane of our culture.
I think tipping is way more personal and local than this list. Every cab I have ever been in expects a tip for bags- usually 5 bucks. You don't give that in Chicago - look out.
ReplyDeleteI always tip the coffee shop more- they make less.
Many moving companies do not permit tips- food and drink is expected instead.
My hair stylist is in her own home. I pay in cash and add 5 %. Works for us.
I tip at food places according to service. It starts at 20% and works down. If the place is busy, and they are as well, I will give at least 15%. I never send food back for fear of the kitchen help.
Always tip at buffets!