Tipping Guide: A Comprehensive List of Whom, When, and How Much?

September 08, 2015

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a jet-setting billionaire or a frugal recent grad—the unspoken nuances of whom, when, and how much to tip can be downright confounding. Throw in the fact that expectations differ from country to country (bless you, Europe, and your included service!), and it gets even more confusing. Below, we attempt to codify the art and science of tipping across the major categories: dining, drinking, beauty, cars, travel, home, and holidays. Assuming you live in the United States, here’s a tipping guide on how to compensate everyone from the woman who shampooed your hair to the locksmith who rescued you at 3am.

DINING

Restaurants:

This probably isn’t news, but a 15-20% tip is all but required at restaurants these days. Hefty tips (up to 25%) are welcome for exceptional service. Appreciation should also be shown for a patient and attentive server who was subjugated to your small child or your drunk friend. ($1 for each handful of shredded cheese thrown on the ground, and $5 for a broken glass or plate.) A 10% tip can be given for an all-around lousy experience, but as long as your server delivered your food and you ate it, you should always leave a tip of some kind.

When it comes to the actual bill, my cost-conscious mother would always say: “Remember, don’t tip on tax!” But my friends in the service industry would kindly add, “Remember, don’t be a dick!”

Helpful hostesses who move mountains on an overbooked night should be compensated as well—$5 should do it.

Delivery & Take-out:

Those of us who prefer to take our meals in the safety of our own beds shouldn’t snooze on the tips. Tip $4-6 for delivery (either online or in-person), and $2-4 for in-store or curbside take-out.

Coffee Counters:

It’s always nice to leave a dollar or two in the quirkily-labeled tip jar at your local coffee shop, especially if they create the equivalent of a Vermeer in your latte foam.

Groceries:

Tips at the grocery store are almost non-existent these days. In fact, many large chains have no-tip policies for baggers and car loaders.

DRINKING

At the bar:

A solid night out should always involve a round of great tips. Whether the person fixing your drink is a mustachioed mixologist or a cig-smoking biker, he or she should be compensated for his or her services. Generally, the rule is $1 for a beer, rail drink, or glass of wine; $2-4 for a concoction that involves mulling, peeling, spritzing, perfuming, or setting on fire.

If you’re closing out a big tab for the night, 15-20% is the norm.

Open Bars:

They’re delightful for party-goers but annoying for bartenders. Throw down a couple bucks for each drink—or more, if you want to be acknowledged next time you force your way to the bar.

Coat Check or Bathroom Attendant:

At fancy establishments, don’t forget to leave a dollar or two for these folks. As I always say: Free spray deodorant is never free!

BEAUTY

The standard tipping rate for beauty services—hair, skin, waxing, massages, nails—is 15-20%. Whether you’re indulging in a decadent hot stone massage or dipping into a salon for an emergency lip wax, these rates apply. Tip on the higher end if you received exceptional service and/or were squeezed in at the last minute. A lower percentage tip—down to 10%—is acceptable for unsatisfactory service.

At the salon:

In addition to tipping your stylist, take note of who shampooed your hair and foiled your roots. He or she should be tipped $1-$3. If you don’t know their names, inquire at the front desk and leave them an envelope.

If you’re using a gift certificate:

Make sure to check if tip is included. If not, be prepared to leave a full tip based on the price of the service.

CARS & CAR SERVICES

Car washing and detailing:

Like eyebrows, cars need to be waxed by a pro. Most car washes have a communal tip box. $3-$5 is fair, as there are typically lots of hard-working hands on deck. The going tipping rate on a car detail is 15-20%—details are a big deal and require hours of labor.

Valet:

Tip $2 as you hand over the keys if you want a speedy retrieval later in the evening; then tip $3-5 when your (intact) car is returned.

Roadside Assistance:

In this case, we’re talking highly specialized help at your most vulnerable moment. Picture a flat tire on the way to a job interview, an empty gas tank on the freeway, or keys locked in your car while you went to use a rural gas station bathroom. Tip at least $5 if you can. If you don’t have any cash on you, get your savior’s name and find a way to tip him or her in cash within the next week.

Taxis and car services:

Tip a taxi driver 15-20%. Uber and Lyft don’t require tips, though you should consider covering incidentals (see small children and drunk friend, above).

TRAVEL

Tips are pervasive on personal and business travel. If you’re traveling internationally, do your research beforehand. Tipping (or not) is a cultural practice that varies by country. If you’re traveling domestically, don’t forget your briefcase full of one dollar bills.

Skycaps and Bellhops: $1 for each bag
Airport Shuttle Driver: $2 (if he/she helps with bags)
Room Service Meals: 15-20% of tab
Housekeeping: $1-3 a day
Hotel Valet: $2-3 each time car is retrieved
Concierge: $5-10 for reservations or theater tickets
Amtrak Red Cap: $10 per person. Up to $50 for a family or group with lots of stuff. For people with small children, disabilities, or a general disdain for Penn Station, this is one of the easiest tips to make.

If you’re going on an excursion through a tour company, ask about the tip situation in advance. You don’t want to be the only one in the white water raft without a twenty.

HOME

Movers:

If you’ve hired professional movers to handle all of your worldly possessions (including several pieces of grown-up furniture), tips are absolutely required. $20 per mover is the consensus. Provide water as well, especially if they’re braving your five-story walk-up.

Handymen/women

The Task Rabbits and Craigslisters who helped mount your TV or assemble an Ikea bed should be tipped a few bucks.

HOLIDAY TIPPING

The holidays are a lovely time of year—and a baffling one when it comes to tipping. Here’s the rundown.

Doormen: $20-$50 per doorman (depending on how many you have)
Building Maintenance Workers: $20 each
Garbage Collectors: $20 each
Mail Carrier: $20 gift card (USPS has restrictions on cash gifts)
Nanny: Two weeks pay
Housekeeper: 2x his/her weekly rate

What’s the best strategy if you have NO cash on hand?

Many establishments—especially beauty salons—insist on cash tips, and for good reason. Double-check with a manager to see if there’s any way you can leave a tip on the card. If not, waddle your way in your Styrofoam flip-flops to the nearest ATM. In an unexpected situation (roadside assistance, locksmith), try your hardest to wrangle some cash. If it’s just not an option, get the full name of the person who helped you and a business address. Mail them cash or a check as soon as you can.

What if you’re just plain broke?

Tips are a fact of life in the United States—and all sorts of workers rely on them to make a living. When you budget, factor them in ahead of time (i.e., opt for a less expensive service rather than skimp on the tip).