Tips on Tipping for 63 Services

Would you tip a camera installer? We had cameras intalled outside our house.

Posted April 21, 2013 by Tracey

Any suggestions for golf course employees ? eg. caddies, club washers, those who take bags from car to golf cart

Posted February 14, 2013 by Rick

Interesting post!! Keep updating interesting stuff like this!!! Thank you!!

Posted January 28, 2013 by peter kenneth

Do I tip my carpet installer?

Posted January 10, 2013 by Mickie

I am hosting a private party in a restaurant in Boston. A food and beverage person helped plan the menu. Over and above gratuity and tax, do I tip this person and how much?

Posted December 14, 2012 by Jane

Do I tip the Office Depot employee who carries the chair (that I paid to have put together) to my car and loads it in and if so, how much?

Posted December 14, 2012 by Diane

How much do I tip a yardman who makes $50/hr.

Posted December 5, 2012 by Jeanne

I just purchased at a big discount an online voucher to treat nail fungus at the doctor's office. I wonder wether I'm supposed to tip somebody down there? The voucher mentions a tip on the pre-discounted total but I think it's a general statement, not necessarily talking about this situation in particular.

Posted October 27, 2012 by Ivan

Should a professional licensed dental hygienist be tipped?

Posted October 17, 2012 by Hans Schmoldt

I am hosting a memorial scholarship fundraiser...I have paid $125.00 bar fee and I feel I do not have to tip this bartender in addition to the tips she will receive from her tip jar. Is this wrong...

Posted August 26, 2012 by Kathleen

I start my tips for restaurant servers at 15%. I will tip better if I get good service. I guess I under tipped for an expensive bottle of wine. I figure $10 to uncork a bottle is adequate regardless of the cost. I recently got substandard service and left a bad tip. I was hoping the server would realize her performance was unsatisfactory. She over poored my Stella Artois. I watched my drink foam over into the sink. The top 1/3 of the glass was foam when she set it down. She hit upon one of my biggest pet peeves. She didn't give me the proper amount of change. I was tempted to walk out and let the .57 in coins that she couldn't't count from her drawer be her tip. I decided to leave another dollar because she was nice and did address me just after U sat down. After reading the comments here, I don't think I would have left a penny. She wasn't rude or anything like that. I don't use many of the services listed above. I do tip the skycaps $1 pet bag when I'm checking in at the airport. I tip taxi drivers about 10%. I give food delivery drivers $2-3. I give my mail carrier a restaurant gift card for $20 at Christmas. I do tip my hair cutter and mail tech. My tips for a massage vary if they are self-employed or at a spa. Although, I don't tip hotel housekeepers or for a cup of coffee, like at Starbucks or Dublin Doughnuts. I don't tip for take out. The servers that aren't getting minimum wage should not be preparing those orders. That is what the kitchen staff is there to do.

Posted May 26, 2012 by Professional Traveler

My wife won a trip for two, for two nights in LA, where we are to be picked up at the airport by a chauffeur driven limo. My question is do you tip the driver? And how much? He is supposed to drive us around for the 2 days we are there. Do I tip him each day or what?

Posted May 21, 2012 by Loran

A nurse in a doctor's office cuts toe nails. Should I tip? I get billed for $55.00 from the office for this service.

Posted May 18, 2012 by Grace

In my state (Oregon), employers do not get credit towards minimum wage requirements from employee tips. This is common to several other states as well. To me, this is the correct practice. Like any other job, there are repercussions if you don't do what is expected of you to earn your paycheck. Therefore, I don't believe that you should be required to brownnose customers or otherwise go above and beyond to get what a worker in any other industry receives for doing the bare minimum. If you do go above and beyond, any tips you receive should be in addition to (not a part of) the minimum standards of pay. My only question is, what would the large scale economic impact be of enforcing the "no tip credit towards minimum wage" at the federal level, as well as the individual impact on businesses? And would this be a step in the right direction?

Posted March 22, 2012 by Joe

I was just informed by a relative about tipping a dog groomer. I hadn't been doing this that's why I looked it up here.

Posted December 20, 2011 by K. Sanders

What should you tip a person who pushes you from gate to gate in an airport and from plane to baggage pick-up?

Posted September 11, 2011 by elmer

You got be joking me every service person does not need a tip ! Its there job to service you . If they don't like there pay get different job. Everyone always wants hand out.

Posted July 16, 2011 by Ckdimpled

I believe in tipping in general, but there are those who do not need or deserve a tip . They are the dockworkers (longshoremen) on the dock of the cruise ship terminal. The reasons are: 1. They are well paid Union worker employed by the cruise line. 2. They LIE to you when they say they will take your luggage to your cabin. They do not perform that task. That is for what you tip the cabin (steward) attendant. 3. They are well versed in INTIMIDATION, telling you they will make sure your luggage is not harmed. Why should it be harmed? Is that a threat? 4. Do not be intimidated. There are cameras everywhere. 5. Report them to security if you feel threatened. Verify these statements with the cruise line. Have a nice cruise

Posted January 21, 2011 by Dick Panozzo

Don't forget about the school bus driver.

Posted December 20, 2010 by RCK48

what about at a car wash and you get an extra service done . Getting your car cleaned and polished and five staff members do the job what per cent and to each person?

Posted December 14, 2010 by marie

I am a good tipper when (dine in) service is good, and do talk to managers or write letters to corporate when service is bad. However, I do not tip for take-out or when I am standing to place my order (think ice cream or coffee) unless it is at a charity event staffed by volunteers. I have worked in food service where tipping was not allowed, worked hard to make orders correct, and never once resented that I wasn't getting tipped for it! I have also volunteered for an organization which catered events for fundraising, paid a babysitter for hours while I worked the weddings, and did not expect a tip but appreciated it if one was offered. Those who claim that people who don't tip will "get something extra" in their food next time have no business in food service. Despicable!

Posted December 11, 2010 by Annabelle

First: Why tip somebody just doing his/her job? Second: Again, all those takeout people telling us they have to make sure you got your food and forks and napkins ect packed properly --- that's their job. Third: Call me a dinosaur but I only tip if the service is exceptional and not plain routine

Posted November 24, 2010 by Michael

The last 3 times we ordered takeout from a local place which is part of a giant chain, they have left out one or more of our salads, dressings and croutons, twice put in the wrong food and last time left mine out completely. I had given a "tip" each time. We love to eat "in" there but no longer take "out" there at all. It is a ten minute drive each way to go there and driving back yet again to pick up the various things they forgot or did wrong was out of the question as everyone else would be eating cold leftovers by then. I can't see how my "tip" was either earned or appreciated.

Posted November 17, 2010 by vetmed

44. Gas Station Attendants - By law, all gasoline in New Jersey is pumped by attendants.

Posted November 11, 2010 by George

all you people who don't tip on take out are SO RUDE. no, you may not be taking up a table, but do you realize how much extra work goes into creating a meal to go rather than if you just came and ate it off a plate? we have to harass the kitchen to make it in the first place, then check to make sure it is all there and is cooked correctly, make sure it is packaged well, that there are utensils and napkins and straws and extra this and that, and on top of that, we have to make sure its all ready BY THE TIME YOU ARRIVE whilst still doing the rest of our job and tending to people in the restaurant. take out is a giant pain in the ass for everyone who has to deal with it, except you, which is the point, and then you don't tip? rude rude rude rude rude! or, you could just come in and sit down at a table. way easier. practically a no brainer, and you tip for that. rude rude ruuuude.

Posted October 1, 2010 by ummm

I noticed Spray tanning services were left off of this list...

Posted September 26, 2010 by Anonymous

the people now try to forget or act like don't know how to tip after get the service.... :X

Posted September 23, 2010 by queen

I'd make a small edit, Do NOT tip baggers/boxboys at places like Costco, Safeway, most big chain grocery stores. If one accepts the tip they can get fired even if they are union. And don't press the tip on them it makes them feel uncomfortable.

Posted September 13, 2010 by Nessuno

if you tip waitstaff nothing, you had damn sure not be a regular there. if the service sucked, and you tip nothing, the only message that is sent to the server is that you are a tightass, and to remember your face for the next time you come in, you might get a few extra ingredients in your meal. I have been in the food service industry for a few years now, and there are better ways to bring to light the deficiency of the waitstaff than to piss them off. 1. FILL OUT A COMMENT CARD OR TALK TO THE MANAGER 2.leave a penny. (sometimes this may not get the point across, because it is a forgotten implication to bad service) 3. Leave a note, with CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. most servers would appreciate telling them what they can improve on, because it will help them make money in the long run.

Posted September 10, 2010 by king33

BC said: "Tip a computer tech? Who's kidding who here? At the prices charged for computer service, they don't NEED a tip." You need to keep in mind that if a tech is working for a company, he or she is only making a fraction of the price you're paying to have the computer repaired. For places that perform service on home users' computers, this may be on average between 10 - 25 percent of the total cost of the repair. (i.e. on a $100 repair job the tech who actually performed the work might only receive $25 of that, less after taxes, and it's entirely possible they'd have no insurance through their employer who only employs them part time, among possibly shafting the worker in any number of other ways) For techs working independently, they may be making a bit more after their expenses, but it's still hardly pure profit for them. You have to consider that he or she will need to pay for their vehicle, petrol, insurance and upkeep, advertising and marketing, a dedicated website and hosting, often a dedicated phone line for the business, self-employment tax, possibly business and other licenses, tools and software they need, perhaps training and certifications, an inventory of parts and software to have on hand for repairing customer's computers, probably paying their own health insurance, possibly paying for business liability insurance, and if they own their own shop there will be myriad other expenses I can't even begin to go into here. Also, as some one who has dealt with home users' computer issues entirely too much in recent years, I've had to put up with all manner of crap from customers, the obvious evidence of their porn surfing habits probably being the least of it. I've been abused, had to work in filthy conditions, had clients who couldn't be bothered to even tidy up obvious evidence that they masturbate at the computer, had their pets try to attack me, gotten parking tickets that cost me more than I made performing a job, had clients who wouldn't let me leave until the problem was finished and refused to allow me to take the machine back to my office to work on it after hours, had people blame for every single thing that goes wrong with their computer a YEAR after I had worked on it, people who call me at 6am and 11:30 at night... the list goes on. And this sort of stuff is all too common in this business. People want their computers to work, and they want it now, and somehow it's your fault that it doesn't and yet they balk at paying for it. P.S. It's very rare that I've received tips for work I performed. And of course those were all from the sort of people who are dream clients, (they have issues i can solve relatively easily, heed my advice, take notes on tips and shortcuts i tell them) and NEVER from one of the nightmare clients.

Posted September 6, 2010 by Ian

I was a waiter all through college. I never expected a tip just for doing my job, only for providing exceptional service. One thing that a lot I people here are conveniently ignoring is the fact that the federal govt. requires at least minimum wage AFTER reported tips. That means, the $2.35 (or whatever it is now), plus all of your tips must equal minimum wage, or the restaurant must adjust your paycheck to make up for the difference. Of course, almost every waiter I ever worked with tried to game the system by reporting the smallest number of tips possible to avoid as much taxes as they could, and to get the matching earnings (which was totally unscrupulous and wrong). I you expect any more than minimum wage from the service industry, then you need to find a different job. Remember, minimum wage is what you earn by doing your job (in that circumstance), everything else is up to you and your winning smile.

Posted September 5, 2010 by Jared

You people are way off base. I tip 20% in restaurants, based on my bill. I work for the newspaper, delivering 400 newspapers everyday. I am considered self-employed, so I am responsible for all my expenses. This includes supplies, plastic bags, elastics, gas for my car. I get $ 1.25 per 7 day delivery. This job is 7 days a week, no matter what the weather. Probally 150 of those customers DON'T tip anything. 20% would only be $ 1.00 per week. I do NOT agree in just giving $5.00 to $15.00 at Christmas only !!!! I work my tail-off everyday servicing these people 7 times a week. I do not tip when I go to Dunkin Donuts, they are getting paid a normal rate and what are they doing to recieve a tip ?? If they delivered my coffee to my front porch, then I would give them a tip.

Posted September 2, 2010 by Robin

If you have a babysitter instead of daycare, I would recommend a larger, more significant holiday gift. This person is in charge of your precious children and appreciation goes a long way. I feel the same way about teachers. They're not just a hair stylist or waitress that waits on you for an hour, they spend a significant amount of time with your children. While, of course, we've all had a bad teacher, most I know spend a tremendous amount of time, care and money on the children in their classrooms - they go way above and beyond. So, I do show my gratitude by a $50 Christmas and end-of-the-year thank you gift . . . usually in the form of a gift card.

Posted August 30, 2010 by Laura

the concierge and/or front desk staff often make less money than the bellhops and housekeeping. They work shift work, have more responibility and work with guest for the duration of thier stay. Front dest agents deserved to be tipped.

Posted August 30, 2010 by lindsay

Susan: Tips are on the pre-tax amount. Most people tip on the final total and most servers don't know any better but it's really just silly to expect to be tipped on taxes, imho. Regarding the 18% added gratuity: Those are added because larger parties do take more time and effort and it is impossible to handle a party of, say, 12 as easily as one would six parties of two. It's the timing. Rude service, however, does not deserve a generous auto tip. I can only hope the manager's look of horror was regarding his or her employee's unacceptable behavior. Keith: next time leave two pennies instead of three. Seriously. For good to great service tip as you normally would plus a penny. For bad service tip in a way that reflects the service plus 2 pennies (only two, in your case, is fine). It's an arcane tradition but one penny means you got good service and two pennies is for bad. You get a whole cent more for bad service to reflect how clear you want the message to be and to represent how you would have left more had it been worth it. Most servers and bartenders today don't know this tradition but those who do will be tickled by getting that one penny and even moreso when they hear that someone else got two. People will say that a good or bad tip is enough of an indication but the pennies clarify the difference between a person who overtips or undertips and and actual reflection of the service rendered. And never be afraid to talk to a manager. Be fair and realize that there may be more going on than you know but it is important for the powers that be to know what is going on. Likewise, consider talking to a manager when you feel you get good service. All too often people only comment on the bad. If you really like a server it can do him or her quite well for the management to know he or she is doing a good job in your eyes.

Posted August 28, 2010 by ex-server

I once did a take-out order for twenty two people when I was waiting tables. They wanted all the boxes labelled with names and seperate checks for each person. Because it was so large and complex I could not take any tables. They didn't tip and I lost out on tips from the tables I should have had instead. For chain restaurants with dedicated take-out servers who are paid more, yeah, tipping isn't necessary. For other places servers are still taking your order and not helping their tipping customers. They are still making sure it is what you wanted and of good quality. They package it up. They take time away from their tables to cash you out. It may not seem like a lot but, especially if it's busy, it can take a a lot away from them. For dine-in, if the service is sub-par, by all means, let your tip reflect it. Even during lunch shifts I always averaged between 17 and 20%. At night the worst I did was 20%. I remember other servers and bartenders whining because they never got more than 15%. Those of us who were good at our jobs could never quite figure out how to tell them their tips were a reflection of their service. We got paid two dollars and change/hour to make drinks and run food. We got tipped for doing it well and being friendly and fun. And, don't forget, if the management has to pay the staff more your prices go up considerably. There's no way you'll ever get good service from anyone who would do that job for minimum wage. At my worst I made an average of $15/hour in tips alone. My pay check was always $0 because it went to paying taxes on my tips. Overall we tip for services rendered. We pay for product and tip the person who advocates for our interest. I tip far more than these reccomendations for housekeeping and bellhops and the like. My trainer gets $100 at Christmas which is nearly 3 times what one session costs. He earns the heck out of that. If I can afford the absurd amount of money I pay to have someone waiting for me because I won't go to the gym otherwise I can certainly afford to give him more than one measly session's worth for christmas. Likewise, if we can afford to eat out we can afford a 10-20% tip. Especially all the whiners who are, most likely, being stingy about six whole dollars after dishing out a whopping $30 when they go out for a big night at Applebee's on some extra special occassion. And if you can afford to spend $200 on that night out a $40 tip really shouldn't put you out else you probably can't really afford that dinner to begin with. Most people who rely on tips do try to live within their means. Don't take it out on them if you can't and be a semi-decent human being at the same time.

Posted August 28, 2010 by ex-server

A restaurant tip for a sit-down meal is always correct. Start at 20% and go up or down from there depending on the quality of service. Take-out is no different than going to the store. You don't tip the cashier at the store, why would you tip the cashier anywhere else? As to quality of service, if the server was rude and did not provide adequate service, the traditional tip is a penny. This sends a very distinct message: "Your aren't worth two cents." Skycaps, shuttle drivers, and bellhops who handle my bags get a tip. Cab drivers who provide good service get a good tip. Better if he opens the door for you and handles your bags. Hotel housekeeping do not get a tip for a one-night stay as the traveller rarely has contact with them and a clean and presentable room is fully paid for in the room rate. Longer stays, i will tip for extras. Disk jokeys and musicians are hired at a contracted rate. They are the ones who set the rate, why would you pay them more unless they provided more service than contracted? Extra for requests? Why? It's part of the basic service. Tip a computer tech? Who's kidding who here? At the prices charged for computer service, they don't NEED a tip. If you have the same mail carrier who walks the route and deliver house to house a tip at the holidays is traditional and fitting as they are perfoming a personal service. The ones who drive from block to block and deliver to central boxes don't. No personal service and they have an adequate salary with excellent health insurance and retirement benefits. I agree with those who say that tipping is getting out of hand.

Posted August 28, 2010 by BC

Also, I've always been told that if the owner of a company is the one waiting on you, you do not tip the owner. Any comment on that? I have family that are in the restraunt business and their livelyhood is based on tips so I try to never stiff anyone. Yet, my family are hard workers to please the customers in the business also and make excellent tips in the process. When you love your work and customers, it will show, and pay off. :-) I read RR's post... this is tips..not tithes.. blessings...

Posted August 27, 2010 by Cheryl

I was very surprised two weeks ago when I pulled up at a gas station and two workers came out and washed my windows, pumped the gas and asked to assist in any way. They told me that they were going back to pumping gas, which actually is very rare in Florida...more a northern thing. And cleaning my windows was really a change.... and well needed at the time. The price of the gas was comparable to others! great info. I don't tip at Wendy's, Subway, McDonald's or Burger King either... :-) ??? Did take my son to Japanese steakhouse for lunch today where they cook on grill at your table. I really didn't know who to tip what there. chef? waitress? sushi maker? since his birthday and his meal was free, owner told me minimum 18% gratuity. So, I added 20% to total and let that be that... any real answers on that one? (never knew of fried ice cream until today either)

Posted August 27, 2010 by Cheryl

I don't know. Tipping 15% - 20% for good, attentive, pleasant service while dining in seems reasonable to me, but somebody quickly putting my food in a bag for carryout seems to be worth very little to me. My friends and family think I tip too much at restaurants, but it seems OK since it is more personal. I still don't think I will tip on carryout. Should we tip the cashier, too?

Posted August 27, 2010 by fred

Wait staff makes $2 an hour plus tips. In this economy, the restaurants are not busy. I have seen certian nationality at this Thai restaurant in Ashburn that never tip more than $2, no matter how big the bills are. Wait staffs do more work on take out, since they are the ones who has to pack all the food and condiments. At this place nobody tip on takeout except me. I don't think people who ever work in the restaurant business know what hard work it is. Now a day, most restaurant don't pay delivery drivers wages per hour. They get a percentage of the bill. They can spend 7 hours waiting around and get two deliveries.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Pitaya Morgan

I agree on some of these tippin, but i for one have been a waitress and the people you work for give you what the feds say in mimimum wage which turns out to be about 4 bucks an hour, plus the feds automaticly charge you a percentage of your total income because they feel they are being cheated out of taxes. When I had my 1st job it was under $2 an hour.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Angel

this is BULL!! A tip should always be optional!! Youre already paying for the service or food...dont get me wrong, I think we should tip but to our discretion.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Evie

When you tip takeout. Your tipping that person for pretty much doing the same job a server at a table does but in takeout we rush to get it ready for you. We make sure you have everything you would need be it plates forks to extra sauces. I personally make sure you would have the same experience as if you were dining in. We dont just go to the back and its done for us we box it prepare it and triple check that all your needs are met. So yeah we would love it if you tipped us. Hell id love it it if youd be nice when i gave you your food.

Posted August 27, 2010 by unknown

No tips due in Europe-might be changing soon. In India however, if you look someone in the eye they want a tip.

Posted August 27, 2010 by curt

I FIND IT VERY HARD TO TIP AT ALL. THE SERVICE HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THEY SHOULD PAY US TO EAT THERE. WHY SHOULD WE PAY WHAT THE BUSSINESS SHOULD PAY THERE STAFT IF THE COMPANY WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY MIMIMUM WAGE THEN I WOULD FEEL BETTER ON TIPING. 2.15 AN HR FOR FOOD SERVICES IS BAD.

Posted August 27, 2010 by OKEY PICKRELL

I also believe that tipping has got WAY out of hand.........Do none of these people get an hourly wage...........if so isn't that enough? OR, is greed getting in the way!

Posted August 27, 2010 by Elizabeth Branam

Tipping is getting to be a vicious cycle. Employers "know" that their employees get tips so they reduce salaries accordingly, making it impossible for employees to get by without tips, That being said, I don't want to be the one who reduces the pay of someone who relies on tips because they aren't paid enough by their employer. I disagree about the amount of tips at a Mom

Posted August 27, 2010 by K2in MB

OK, can we move on from take out tipping. If I order from Outback, Olive Garden, etc. I will give a tip-not more than 10%. My big question - at restaurants do you tip on pre-tax amount or after tax amount. We usually do pre-tax. My next question is how long has it been customary to tip housekeeping staff at a hotel? I just recently started doing this, but not on a daily basis. If we stay 5 days I will leave a $5 bill and a note thanking them for the service. I tipped my computer guy a couple of months ago. He had done a great job. I gave him $20 and he was almost in tears. However yesterday several of us had dinner at Macaroni Grill and they charged us 18% because of the group. Our server had an attitude from the start and was outright rude several times, and screwed up several of the checks. When I tipped him less than the 18% he asked why and I told him. He thanked me very sarcastically and said it had been a pleasure serving us very sarcastically. We spoke with the manager, explaining we had been there for the past 3 Thursdays and had not had a problem with any of the servers until yesterday. The manager had a look of horror on his face as we told him this.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Susan

Tipping for take-out at a restaurant, not fast food, is a no-brainer. The service is the same service you would receive inside except the server has packaged your food and made sure it was the correct order. A lot of people are looking for any reason not to tip.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Tom

I disagree about routinely tipping for take-out. This is NOT table service. However, if you develop a regular relationship with people with an affordable place that consistently does a good job, why not leave $1-3 dollars in the tip jar, depending on the size of the order? Buffets! Places where you don't get FULL table service. Some have said just $5 or 5/10% or whatever scaled-down amount. If they take good care of you, why not do your usual, at least 15%? If the service is mediocre, just leave them a $5; they still have to bring you drinks and clean up after you.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Raejean

Everyone should work in the service industry just once as a pre requisite for life! If you do not want or can not afford the service charge you do not deserve the service! Either do it yourself or be a respectable human being and help your fellow citizens in making a living!

Posted August 27, 2010 by Nikki

SickofTips you help people write resumes? And you spell profession, perfession? Wow, I feel sorry for whoever you help!

Posted August 27, 2010 by WHAT?

You should always tip on take out orders!!!! More times then not the person you are paying has other customers to attend to while they are getting your take out order ready, baged and adding napkins, utensils, and any other unusal requests! Be more thoughtful!

Posted August 27, 2010 by Nikki

IN EUROPE, WAITERS ONLY GET 10% OR LESS BECAUSE THEIR SALARY IS A FAIR SALARY NOT LIKE CHEAP AMERICANS THAT PAY THEIR WAITERS/WAITRESSES WAY BELOW MINIMUM WAGE. THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY SOONER THAN WE THINK...SAD INDEED

Posted August 27, 2010 by Francesco

I really have a problem with paying 10 to 20% additional for a service that is already expensive..IE a massage, or good meal...Why can't they employers just adjust the price of the service and pay their people a fair wage...then when I see the price listed./..that is what I pay...same with cruises...the adds make it sound like a great deal and affordable, then they automatically take on huge tips for everyone...it's like we are paying for the ride on the ship with the cruise payment, THEN we have to pay everyone's salary , separate...

Posted August 27, 2010 by Jan Schantini

TAKE OUT - it's NOT fast food. Restaurants offer take out service. For those of us who want a "dinner out" dinner without having to eat it "out". Doesn't cost that much more than fast food and has more choices. We keep menus in the car, order ahead, and whom ever is driving nearest, stops and picks it up.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Debi

WOW!!! I work and I serve drinks and snacks at my office and do all kinds of stuff....but I don't get a tip. Maybe I should set up a tip jar. I understand getting a tip at a sit down meal, but i defenitely do not tip for take-out. And I don't leave tips or I leave crappy tips if the service was horrible. People are getting carried away with giving tips. You're already getting paid, so now you want more of my money. ALso about hte photographer and videographer.....I'm already paying you thousands of dollars. I haven't seen your photos or videos...so why should I tip. It's so ridiculous.

Posted August 27, 2010 by vip

And what happens if you don't get the right service? I have come across waitresses that don't deserve a dime. And when they don't give good service they get not even a penny. I hate to do that but customer service is very important to me, and they all except a tip, but don't give the service.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Tazzie

When I moved, my niece was "helping" me move, and at her instigation I tipped the movers. It turned out they had helped themselves to a "tip" by stealing a watch that cost $200.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Richard

If I tipped all those people noted above I would be broke. Most of those on the list make a pretty good wage. I will tip but according the the job they hold. For instance, waitress/waiter usually don't make much, depending on the restauant. They make their money on tips. House keepers in hotels, the same deal. Those jobs that don't pay a lot is how I decide who to tip. These people that put out a list like this must have more money then most of us.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Madeline

I order takeout to save money by not having to tip a server. Money is tight these days.

Posted August 27, 2010 by L.A. MIKE

tipping is for companys too cheap to pay their workers a decent wage while they are rakeing in the hugh profits

Posted August 27, 2010 by big guy

These sound like 1980's tips! I guess I have been over-tippping for sometime!!

Posted August 27, 2010 by BJ

I agree with Paul. I would rather pay a few pennies or even dollars so that the workes could be paid better in the first place and then decide if and when I want to give more as well as the amount, especially as pertains to restaurants and fast foods. Many times this would come out cheaper. He's right the consumer did not decide the business model, but we can decide if we wish go along with it. If these tipping guidelines were strictly followed it could prohibit a lot of people from going out, back to square 1.

Posted August 27, 2010 by sydz

My pet peeve is with establishments that use your tip to pay part of the employees hourly wage. I once stopped at a roadside restaurant called J's and a sign at the counter and on the menu stated that any tip you leave would be used to pay up to 20% of the employees wages. So I didn't leave anything.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Mike

Tipping on Cruises. Although tipping on cruises is much more of a service charge than a traditional tip, the industry does still use the word, so customers may be looking for guidelines. Cruise lines typically provide a list of "recommended" tips, and for those particular personnel, this transaction is actually closer to "wage" than to what we usually think of as a tip. For individual cruise line guidelines, see the Cruise Tip Calculator web page: http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

Posted August 27, 2010 by Theron Keller

Springfield, Oregon has the worst tippers. They still tip you quarters and dimes...imagine that, they must be living in the 1940's.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Mark

I usually tip my Sherpa not only a yak but a nice young goat also.

Posted August 27, 2010 by bob40wil

God still only ask for 10%

Posted August 27, 2010 by R R

I tend to tip generously. I figure anyone actually working (especially at entry level) deserves a helping hand. If the service is less than perfect I assume it's out of ignorance. Not every waitress/waiter can be sunny and professional. I try to concentrate on what their life must be like. And I know one thing -- it's not as cushy as mine.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Mark Bender

Tipping has gotten out of hand. When I was younger I worked as a waitress and a hotel house keeper. I got paid, (not much) but was paid to do my job. A tip was nice, but not necesarly expected like it is today. What is the deal with tipping on the price of the meal? We reciently had lunch it was $32, we at at the same establishment for dinner it was $86. The lunch staff had to work harder, but get less of a tip. I typically use the 15% rule on everything, but I hate tipping. I would rather pay more for my meal so the establishment could pay staff at least min. wage, than to feel obligated to tip for poor service. My massage person owns her own business. I go to her home to get a massage. She is not paying staff or building rent. I pay $65 for a massage and do not feel like I need to leave her a tip. Now when I go to the spa, I pay $95 for a 50 min. massage. I leave a tip, because I'm sure the massage person only get $35 from the service. Am I wrong for not tipping the massage person who has her own business and keeps the entire fee? In my perfession I help people everyday. I help them write resumes, gve them interview tips, prep them for interviews and help them find new jobs. No one ever tips me for my service, and I'm paid by the employer and I work on commission, so everything I do for the job seeker is free to them, maybe you should add HR staff and recuritersto the lipping list. Hey why not add anyone in a customer service position to the list of those who should be tipped.

Posted August 27, 2010 by SickofTips

How about some advice on tipping when the service is TERRIBLE. I went to a restaurant last week and never saw a waiter. The hostess took my drink order and a waiter who was not responsible for my table took my order. No refills and I was never brought a ticket. I told the cashier that I didn't have a ticket because I never saw a waiter. I left three pennies on my table to leave a message.

Posted August 27, 2010 by keith

Tipping take-out food seems to be a big issue for most poeple! I look at it this way, If theres a cup on the counter, I but the change thats letf over from my bill.

Posted August 27, 2010 by Nick

i want to be tipped for the awesome job I do everyday. really people! i want to see tipping eliminated. employers need to pay a living wage and stop expecting others to do it for them. afterall, they reap all the tax benefits.

Posted August 26, 2010

As my dad once said, I didn't accumulate what I have by giving it all away.

Posted August 26, 2010 by Lonnie

i think they mean tipping the curbside delivery at places like the Outback Steakhouse, Applebee's, etc. I don't think they mean fast food places where you go inside or use a drive-up to order like Burger King, McDonalds., etc.

Posted August 26, 2010 by anon

I rarely tip on takeout food. Or at a place such as Subway or Quizno's. If I do, it's something smaller than . I generally get takeout from places that sell more takeout than dine-in meals -- small strip mall Chinese or pizza joints. I'm more inclined to tip if it's from a restaurant that doesn't do a lot of takeout food, but even then, I don't think I've ever left . I know I'm not the only person that doesn't tip for takeout. The ones I go back to serve good food, eventually learn my name, always greet me courteously, etc. I think if these people hated me, they'd let me know. In fact, one of the Subways I frequent often gives me free cookies, because they recognize me as a good customer. I think they would get more insulted if you tip once and never tip again. If you never tip, they think you're poor or just don't know any better. If you tip on a seemingly random basis, they might take it the wrong way.

Posted August 26, 2010 by Hangin in there

I agree, tipping has gotten out of hand. Anything with a service component (bar tender, wait staff, etc) I can agree with ... but take out? So you had to put it in a bag and place some napkins and forks in it? WHOO, that is quite the taxing effort you just put in. Sorry, but at some point your wage covers the work you're doing. I actually do tip quite well when it's warrented, but I'm tired of people expecting their 20% for just showing up. When I was a gas jockey I got a grand total of two tips ... EVER. That's a full service station after checking / filling the oil, cleaning the windshield, filling the gas and getting back to the till to take the money. The chicks that worked there got 3 or 4 tips a day ... ya the tips were for the great service I'm sure.

Posted August 26, 2010 by Josh

Duh Kevin, the tip for the florist is paid by the person ordering the flowers who is having them delivered, not for the person recieving them.

Posted August 26, 2010 by ummmduh

This list of suggestions is completely stupid. I used to work in restaurants, and I will never tip on take out, same for dashing into a coffee shop. Know why? BECAUSE THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE PAID HIGHER. At least in Canada where there is a minimum wage for employees who get tips, and a higher minimum wage for employees who don't get tips. The rest of your suggestions are too complicated. Taxis: round up to the nearest dollar. it's the rule in NYC. Hair salons: They're gouging you already, don't feed the vicious cycle with a 20% tip. That's just insulting. Flowers: WHY IN HELL SHOULD I TIP SOMEONE WHO BRINGS ME A GIFT?

Posted August 26, 2010 by Kevin

I teach. I guess my students should leave a tip for an especially good lecture/class seeing as how I haven't had a raise in 3 years and all my payroll deductions keep going up. I work my behind off, too!

Posted August 26, 2010 by Prof

Tipping is NOT compulsory, it's for GOOD service. I generally tip 15-25% for waitstaff, yet I've been known to leave nothing all if necessary, it sends a definite message to the server, which in turn reflects upon the restaurant. The entire system needs to work to make the operation successful, I consider tipping to be the "comment card" of the service industry.

Posted August 26, 2010 by Keith

Are you kidding me??? None of these are obligatory for tipping. Considering the whole concept of tips is historically based on (a) the premise of a patron voluntarily providing a monetary gift to a server to promote and ensure they will be provided with good service in their future visits; and (b) the word TIPS is actually an acroynm for "to insure proper service" (historically "to insure promptitute), no one should ever feel obligated to pay them unless they are wanting to receive good service for that individual or establishment in the future. The receipt of tips should never be an expectation for anyone. Nor should patrons ever feel they must provide one. They are in essence gifts of gratitiute that patrons bestow upon individuals who have served them and in the process, provided a high level of performance while fulfilling their duties. Any expectation otherwise is akin to a distorted sense of entitlement. The world's patrons do not owe any server or business anything more than payment of the goods or services they purchased (plus tax). In a restaurant, that constitutes your food. In a bar, your drink. In a taxi, your ride from the pickup point to the destination. The list goes on and on. The person who actually provides that good or service is not however, part of your financial obligation - their employer is responsible for that. Society seems to forget that tips are a voluntary gratuity and should only be paid to individuals who, while doing their duty, provide a high level of performance. It's is a recognition and reward for performing good work (according to the patron). Do I tip? Yes, in varying amounts, but only in certain scenarios and only if I am happy with the service I have received. It may be 10% or as much as 25% (for the really exceptional experiences) but the key is, I never feel obligated to tip anyone for doing what is in essence their job and duty. And, they must have performed it well first, otherwise they risk receiving absolutely nothing.

Posted August 26, 2010 by Debra

Are you out of your minds? You tip when you get take out? Not delivery where someone brings it to you, not dining out where you sit there and someone serves you - but where you drive to the restaurant pick up the food yourself and go home to eat? Where the extent of their interaction with you is operating the till? I've just done all the work. Why the hell should I tip? If I tip my mail man does that mean that I have to tip the UPS guy? What about my local garbage man, won't he get jealous if he sees that my mail main gets a tip? How about plumbers? Why do movers make the cut but plumbers don't? And why stop there, what about doctors and nurses? Isn't the medical field a service based industry as well? Christ - just tip EVERYONE!

Posted August 25, 2010 by desslok

The reason you tip for take out is because someone is still taking the time to prepare your order. In some cases (such as the restaurant I work) I am cooking and wrapping some parts of the order. And @private, it's not a hand out, it's the right thing to do to when industries get to skimp by on paying their employees more because there is the assumption that people know how/what to tip. If you don't like it, please cook and clean yourself, and feel free to sleep outside when on vacation.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Joseph

At today's gas prices level you'd have to be crazy to tip the service station attendant. Also the price is already higher than self service stations.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Hank Gear

I agree with beentheredonethat....You should tip your delivery guy. These people making 2.50 an hour they have to feed their families on the little that they take home from tips. They come sun, rain or snow and many don't drive, they bike their way into delivering your meals. The least you can do is to tip them. I also believe you need to leave housekeeping $5 dollars, after all they are cleaning up after the mess you have left in the hotel room. No one wants to clean a strangers pooped toilet and hair clogged bathtub.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Jess

When tipping a bellman it should not be about how many bags necessarily, but by the weight of the luggage. You could have twenty light bags, but that shouldn't necessarily be a 20 dollar tip. But on the flip side if you have five or six gigantic bags, a five would not be accetable. So a better scale would be 2 to 3 dollars per large bags/coolers/golf bags and 1 for anything else. As far as valet goes, a 3 to 5 dollar tip is acceptable when the valet brings your car to you. Optional-1 or 2 dollar tip to park the car

Posted August 25, 2010 by Chris

Don't forget about Wedding Videographers and Photographers. The usual tip is $50 to $150 each depending on how hard they worked for you.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Ken

I agree with Kevin and "private" - never would I tip for take out. I feel bad for bathroom attendants, but come on- I can wash my own hands. And why would I tip the guy that drives back and forth between the airport and the long term parking lot in the middle of nowhere? How about this- when people start tipping me for doing my work, I'll start tipping everyone who is also doing their job. My rule is I'll tip if you're clearly not making minimum wage, or if you've gone above and beyond, or if I'm trusting you with something (my car, luggage, haircut). Food servers, barbers, valets I have no problem with. My trash collector? Come on.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Nick Fahrenkopf

The people who are in carry out are typically servers who get stuck there for the night. At Chilis, they still make WAY under minimum wage and take your order, submit the ticket, and when the order is up they prepare your bag for you. IF you can't afford to tip, maybe you should just cook your own food.

Posted August 25, 2010 by restaurantworker

Pfft, I wouldn't tip on most of these. Tip food service, but not take out. Don't tip McD's. $2-$5 for pizza delivery? $2 only if they drove a couple of blocks! Usually drivers make wait staff wage per hour, then a delivery charge (depends on area and gas prices). Tip higher when gas prices are higher. You'll get great repeat service if you do so. We have memories and will drive slow and have a smoke for that a-hole who only tips a few bucks. We'll haul ass for that guy who tips 20 % on the bill though.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Curtis

Washroom attendants freak me out. I try not to go to the bathroom if there is one watching me pee. And then you have to tip them because they watch you pee. I can put the soap in my own hang thank you.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Paul

The bit on the take out makes this article un-linkable. The rest is good info though.

Posted August 25, 2010

soryy but mail carriers are not goverment workers, we are a krown corp. and can be tipped, and if you think sending a letter to ones boss after walking up and down your snow and iced walk way year after year is better, then you need to walk a mile (or ten) in my shoes.......

Posted August 25, 2010 by fed-up

We pay a living wage here in Canada so why pay extra. I do good work but nobody tips me

Posted August 25, 2010 by steve

people get paid to do their jobs. If you dont get paid enough change professions. Dont get me wrong I'm going for a haircut right now and will leave my usual five dollar tip. But it eats away at me and I feel like a complete moron when I do leave a tip. I think today I will turn over a new leaf and stop tipping all together. Wow I just made five bucks.

Posted August 25, 2010 by r.reingruber

k ive worked at restaurants as a server, host, to-go, and cocktail. so everything other than bartending. if you make less than 20% on anything other than take out, thats terrible. should be more like 25%. 30 or more if theyre really good. and take out...granted, you arent staying there to eat. but they do take the time to get everything together for you that you will need. i think if they do that right, then they deserve a tip. besides, its not like youre the only to go order they have. they have multiple things going on. they deserve a little something. i believe everyone should try waiting tables for a season. you'll change your perspective on tipping and how you treat people.

Posted August 25, 2010 by lori

why do you tip for takeout? because the person that is handing you you food has to package it all up make sure there were forks and knives and napkins and chopsticks and everything else that goes in the bag. The also made sure you order was packaged up all nice, and they had to take the order too, instead of helping their tables. 10% isn't much kids. on a $50 order, thats only 5 bucks, and if you can't afford to tip, stay home. Also, those folks remember you, and if you tip or not. Good tippers are remembered and staff reciprocates. Also, DON'T FCUKWITH PEOPLE THAT HANDLE YOUR FOOD.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Zed Steady

I am wondering what happened to 10% gratuity. It has been increasing over the years. They say that it is inflation. OK then with the increase of the meal the tip amount will increase also at 10%. I say this, but in tipping at restaurants I usually double the total and then move the decimal one to the left. As a college student I’ve been there and the job ain’t easy. They usually get just minimum wage and work far harder than the wage is worth. Also they are the front line. They deal not only with the decent people, but have to deal with those who are just rude no matter what. Furthermore, they share their tips with the other members of the staff including busboys and cooks. All of these people have to work together to make your eating experience pleasurable. (I did leave a penny once and now that waiter is one of our favorites. It does work both ways.) In a take-out establishment I leave a tip for all unless it is the proprietor that is manning the counter. I feel that the proprietors are getting the full benefit of my money unlike the minimum wage person. If anyone has a different opinion about that, I would like to hear it. In short I believe in rewarding a job well done.

Posted August 25, 2010 by Kintaro

You should tip for take-out!!! I worked in a restaurant as a server and the girls in the take-out of our restaurant work their butts off for minimum wage and they have to be so efficient and organized to put together multiple orders at fast speeds for hours! I do not believe in mandatory tips or percentages, it should be what the client deems deserving, only 5 or 10% if the service was just adequate, but be generous if the server has done a great job and goes out of his or her way to provide tailored and exemplary service. What is $20 tip when you just spent $115-$130 on dinner? As for people asking for tips more and more... "private wrote: "Tipping has got out of hand" - tipping is something that big business and capital has forced onto the public, so THEY can pay their employees the bare minimum. It has become a system, make the business more lucrative and shifts the responsibility to the client or customer to tip - therefore pay their service person a higher wage if they perform appropriately, allowing a waiter or any service giver to earn a higher wage if they deserve it. This fits into the ideology of meritocracy that our society holds to be important - if you have the skills, work hard and perform your duties adequately or beyond, then you should be rewarded. Yes, you should tip on carry-out or drive-thru, its a matter of rewarding good work and showing appreciation for the work someone has done for you. Put yourself in the position of the worker in that position. And - it also keeps good workers in jobs they otherwise would not perform. You want your server to be professional and provide excellent service each and every time you go out for dinner (or any other type of service provider), they need to be compensated!

Posted August 25, 2010 by Paul

Sherpa's generally get tipped by giving gifts of mountain climbing equipment that you don't want to carry back out of the Himalayas. They then sell them to the next expedition in an ongoing recycling process. (Do you really want to try to get that 20 ft extension ladder used to span a crevasse into your airline luggage?)

Posted August 25, 2010 by Anon

It's considered nice to tip on a take out because a lot of the time, its a server taking your order and putting it together, and that takes up the time they could have used to pay extra attention to their tables....

Posted August 25, 2010 by Service worker

To the people who say not to tip for take-out : most of the people giving you service at those "to go" or "take out" stations (especially in corporate restaurant chain type places) are making the same 2.50 or so an hour that the servers are however they're stuck at the to go stand all night. Those people who you refuse to tip walk home with $5 in their pocket on a nightly basis when they have that shift. What's another dollar or two on your to-go meal? Karma everyone, what you do will come back to you!

Posted August 25, 2010 by beentheredonethat

Just who are you tipping to for takeout? When you eat in you tip your waitress for their service, so who's getting the tip? The cook? Since when do we start tipping cooks? The establishment? Why? They've made their money, why voluntarily give more? Share the tips among the waiters? For what? Not waiting on me? Whatever, I have never and will never tip on takeout.

Posted August 24, 2010 by Seriously?

You have to be kidding. What the article basically says is add 15-20% to every interaction you have with service people. Tips are for good service and should be based on the level of service given, not on some arbitrary scale. What a joke!

Posted August 24, 2010 by Peter Gibbond

I don't usually tip on takeout, but the Chinese takeout place I get food from about once a week will normally get a couple dollars in tip from me each visit. The food is good, the service is excellent, and they know me well enough there that as soon as I come in the door the cashier has my order in hand and ready for me to pay. That deserves a tip, imo. I also tip if the takeout was delivered (but there aren't a lot of places around here that deliver besides pizza joints).

Posted August 24, 2010 by Quantumpanda

Tip 10% on takeout? Why? I'm paying full price without taking up a table or the wait staff's time. Should I tip at the drive through for fast food? If not, why, since you would have me tip on a carry out meal?

Posted August 24, 2010 by good tipper

I agree with Kevin, I for one have never tipped on take-out. I have a feeling that the writer of this post has worked in the food industry or knows someone that has griped about not getting tipped. >:0)

Posted August 24, 2010 by Mike

Please!!!!! Tipping has gotten out of hand. Everyone has their hand out asking you for extra money! I don't want to spend my money on any service these days because of the tips. I've always been generous at the bar, restaurant, salon etc... but fast food? coffee shops? the mail man????? This has gone too far!

Posted August 24, 2010 by private

@KevinMyers - I totally tip for take-out. You gotsta.

Posted August 24, 2010 by Erin

You forgot a huge one - Computer Shops! Independent shops will usually let you give cash tips, and larger chains (like Geek Squad) vary depending on management at that location. Tipping Computer Repair Techs: Independent: ~10%, rounded to the nearest $5 Chain: Check with shop manager, will generally let you tip in food/drinks (or gift cards for such), but not usually cash Remember, your Computer Tech not only has to clean out that nasty computer that you let sit on your floor for the last four years, full of dust and dirt and hair and cobwebs and spiders and whatnot, he also has to go through and remove all those virus infections, resist the temptation to look for pictures of your insanely hot 19 year old daughter, and ignore the fact that 80% of websites you visit are porn.

Posted August 24, 2010 by Brent

Tipping for take-out? You've gotta be kidding. I don't know anyone who has ever tipped on take-out.

Posted August 24, 2010 by Kevin Meyers

And, as always, tip on the full value of the service you're receiving - even if you're receiving a great discount!

Posted August 24, 2010 by Deb