NOTE: Before turning to the topic at hand, I want to alert readers that during the summer, new blog posts will appear on a once-per-month basis. Our more frequent schedule will resume in September. I wish everyone a wonderful summer.
The practice of tipping as a way of expressing gratitude for services received varies considerably from culture to culture. For expats, business travelers and tourists visiting the United States, here are some general guidelines along with some explanation of why Americans in the service industry expect higher tips than their counterparts in Germany for example.
In a restaurant which offers table service, you should plan to tip a minimum of 15% of the bill before taxes are added. For excellent service or special attention, it is appropriate to increase that amount to 20%. On the other hand, if the service was clearly below standard you are welcome to reduce the amount as you see fit as a means of expressing your displeasure – for the service. Displeasure with the taste of your meal is not a matter to penalize your server. Address your concerns to the manager.
If you feel 15-20% is exceptionally generous, keep in mind that in much of the world a 10% service charge is automatically built in to the cost of the food. That service charge is used to pay a fair wage to the servers. There is no built-in service charge in the US where federal law only requires that servers who normally receive tips may be paid as little as $2.13 per hour (required so they are official employees and covered by the restaurant’s insurance). Some states have increased this minimum requirement. Illinois, for example, has raised it to $4.95 per hour. But needless to say, tips represent the bulk of what hard-working servers earn for their efforts. If we were to consider the 10% service charge that exists in Germany and add to it an amount of 5% to 7%, we would come up to precisely what has been recommended for the US. But in the US it is entirely up to the customer.
In the smartphone age we now have tipping advice and help with the calculations in the form of a variety of apps. One which receives excellent reviews for Android phones is Tip N Split Tip Calculator. The app is free but removes ads and has some extra features for a one-time optional $1.99 price for the Pro version. The calculator features are designed for the US market, but the app also has short descriptions of how tipping is different in a dozen other countries.
Tip N Split Tip Calculator is also available for the iPhone but as I am not an iPhone owner, I will not recommend it or any particular tipping app for that platform. However, I am sure the Internet is full of advice on the topic.
In addition to restaurants there are many other situations in which tipping is appropriate in the US:
Bartenders – $1.00 per drink
Taxis – 10% of the fare
Hotel Bellman (Porters) – at least $1.00 per bag
Hotel Concierge – $5.00 for substantial advice or organization of tickets
Hairdressers – 20% of the bill
Tour guides – up to 10% of the cost of the tour if the guide did an excellent job
Valet parking attendants – $1.00-$2.00 after you get your car back
Coat check attendant – $1.00 unless there is a coat check fee, in which case no tip required
Rest room attendants – Some small change (perhaps 50 cents)
Most people say that America has excellent service. The generosity of tipper provides an important incentive for the workers in the service industry. I hope this guide is helpful.
Herb