Being rich doesn't necessarily equate to being generous when it comes to tipping. According to the Miami News Times Usher once left his autograph as a tip, Jeremy Piven's been known to leave signed copies of Entourage DVDs and LeBron James left a $10 tip on an $800 bill after requesting steakhouse staff stay until 4am so he could finish his meal. Tipping may not be customary in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, but in America it's expected. In fact, the estimated 2.2 million people who work as restaurant servers in the US often rely on tips as a major source of their income. Once upon a time a ten percent tip was perfectly suitable, but those days may be changing. We asked tipping experts and hospitality industry gurus to give us a modern guide to tipping in the US.
Do Servers Expect Bigger Tips?
Servers may be looking for bigger tips as the cost of living increases, but the acceptable percentages are still the same. According to expert Jodi R. R. Smith of Mannersmith.com, stiffing a server who provides awful service is acceptable. "I tip based upon the level of service. Of course, for bad service, I do not tip," she says. "Instead I speak with management about the issue to try to have it resolved." Server Amanda Fricks works at a Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston and says hourly rates range from $2.13 to $3. Fricks asks customers to keep in mind bad service can't always be blamed on her. "Remember most of the time it's not the server's fault. We have to depend on so many other people," says Fricks. "If you order a drink at the bar and the bartender is slow or the kitchen loses your ticket - I can't do anything about it. Yes, it's my responsibility to let a manager know and have them stop by the table, but that's all I can do - I think a lot of people forget this part when it comes time to tip."
Tipping Cab Drivers
Tom Peyton's been in the taxi business for 23 years and says his tips can vary greatly depending on the passenger. He now owns Gentlemen Taxi in Richmond, Virginia and says drivers don't judge their tips based on the destinations of their passengers. "We have customers who live in poor neighborhoods that go above and beyond what is expected in tipping," he says. "Then we have those that go to million dollar homes and wait for their nickel back!" He says some riders tip a flat $5 no matter how long the journey and others stick to tips based on percentages. Overall Peyton says the best tippers are those who have relied on tips for income at some point in their lives. "They seem to understand and appreciate the difference a good tip can make, not only in finances, but also in one's moral," he says.
The Most Overlooked Tip
Etiquette pros say tipping the hotel maid is a must, although experts agree they're often overlooked in the tipping world. "Many Americans don't even know they should leave a tip for the maid," says Petyon. "Some hotels are making us better aware by leaving a small envelope in the hotel rooms for this purpose."
Pre-Tax of Post-Tax?
Ever wondered if your tip should be based on the pre-tax or post-tax amount? Well some believe it should be based on the pre-tax amount because taxes are an add-on that the restaurant or server will not receive. Tipping expert Constance Hoffman of LearnSocialGraces.com says both calculations work. "Custom says that tips are calculated pre-tax, but many people just use the total bill either for the sake of simplicity or to be more generous," she says. "In other words, either way is fine." However, etiquette consultant with Mannersmith.com Jodi R.R. Smith has a different opinion. "I tip post-tax and advise my clients to do the same," she says. "Unless you are somewhere rather extravagant-- in which case you should have the ability to tip well-- the difference is truly a matter of a few dollars and it is better to be a generous tipper than not."
People You Shouldn't Tip
Before you start to wonder if everyone is getting a tip these days, don't worry. Erik over at MoneyCrashers.com created a nice list of people who won't be holding their hands out waiting for a few bucks. The list includes attorneys, contractors, mortgage loan officers and your neighborhood dry cleaner. Although you may offer up a special holiday thank you to your postal carrier, tipping these folks also isn't necessary.
Tipping is Important to the Economy
Don't take tipping lightly. It's something many workers rely on for their financial well-being. And Peyton believes it's even more important in a sluggish economy. "[Right now] tipping is even more important as less people are eating out and using these elective type services that give us the opportunity to earn a tip," he says. "Servers and others' tip percentages have gone up and they should as prices in general have also gone up and we are all trying to make a living."
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