USA: Tipping and Taxes

[sacolman]

Just make sure that you have numerous $1 notes in your wallet and don't confuse them for $100 - US currency looks the same except for a couple of slightly coloured denominations.

Very wise advice. When in LA I was wheeled to the busstop by a porter, who was already being paid by the airline, I asked him to take me first somehere where I can change a $100 note for his tip. He told me that he has ample change. Indeed he had, but (surprise, surprise) nothing smaller than $10 bills. Thus he gave me $80 and after a long arguments gave me another $10. Prior to leaving the aircraft the stewardess suggested a maximum of $3 tip for this porter, but he was more crafty and made sure that he gets the better of a greenhorn like me. Btw. Americans never get confused when it comes to their notes or for that matter when it comes to money.

 

[Baysider]

I also tend to leave $2 per day for the hotel cleaning staff - they're the bottom of the totem pole. Yes, they should be paid a living wage, but the reality is they're not ... and when they provide a good service (which they do!) I'm happy to leave the $2 ...

Likewise, and it seems to ensure you don't have any little problems with room stocking etc.

 

[Baysider]

Oh, and a simple rule I use for general tipping:
Work out 10% of the price (i.e. move the decimal place one digit over) then add half that amount again (making up to 15%), rounding your sums up or down as you go for simplicity, based on whether they deserve slightly more than 15% or less than 15%.

 

[anat0l]

My rules of thumb:

• General tipping is 15-20% all over the USA; 20% is more nominal for NY. Add 5-10% for good or outstanding service, and subtract 5-10% for substandard service.
• Try to summon a manager to sort out a problem before deciding to leave absolutely no tip, or a penny. If the manager is hopeless then of course no tip is completely appropriate. Sometimes you may negotiate some "compensation" for your trouble that should not replace then a nominal tip.
• Large groups of people may attract a "compulsory surcharge" that is added in lieu of a tip, though you might like to add a bit on top if you liked the service.
• No need to tip at fast food restaurants (i.e. especially those with no sit-down and waiter service component(s)).
• Tipping porters or shuttle drivers that handle your luggage is $1-$2 per bag (give a bit more if you have difficult / heavy luggage). Carry your own of course is no tip, and you should be able to say to any porter that you can handle your own (and not pay a tip) without being pressured. (If they persist, no tip for them - you clearly said that you're OK to do it). For storing bags at a hotel, I normally tip both times they handle my bags (i.e. as they take away my bags and when they return them).
• At a bar, give the bartender at least $1 per drink they serve up to you. Also applies to airport lounge bars. In hotels or restaurants that has a, for example, cook-omelettes-on-demand-chef, sometimes the chef will be tipped $1 for preparing a meal for you.
• At hotels, if a bellhop etc. brings items to your room - e.g. extra amenities, room service, etc. - normal tipping applies or a few dollars in the case of items with no value.
• When you land, buy some / a cheap item(s) at a kiosk or the like to break large bills so you can get some small change.
• In your hotel room, any change left about can be (mis)construed as a tip. So if you don't want to donate that money to the housekeeper, keep it well out of sight. (Nothing wrong categorically with tipping your housekeeper, though).

In general, you're looking at around 15% extra for most things where tipping is required. As most say, either doubling sales tax or taking 10% and adding half over again, then rounding for convenience, is the easiest way to go.

If you don't tip, you're not strictly required but you will probably be asked for an explanation. Also probably best not to go back to that establishment (that's the Australian way).

It all does add up eventually, though with still a fairly favourable exchange and the situation in the US you will still probably end up paying less (or more stuff / service for the same price) than in Australia.

 

[Alanslegal]

• At hotels, if a bellhop etc. brings items to your room - e.g. extra amenities, room service, etc. - normal tipping applies or a few dollars in the case of items with no value.

I really dislike tipping (or maybe I am the biggest cheapskate) but when staying in at a 4*or 5* hotel/resort I expect to access these little features (bellboys, porters, room service) as complimentary. I don't want to stay in a 5* Jetstar Hotel and needing to pay for every single thing I use ... if that was the case, I'd go and stay at the nearby 2.5* Tiger Hotel.

 

[Grooba]

And after all that, if you feel the service was really bad, I mean like you're shaking your head at how the waiter just doesn't give a damn, don't tip at all.

I've done this on a few occasions when I was absolutely shocked at how bad the service was.

 

[blackcat20]

And after all that, if you feel the service was really bad, I mean like you're shaking your head at how the waiter just doesn't give a damn, don't tip at all.

I've done this on a few occasions when I was absolutely shocked at how bad the service was.

I've only not tipped once; both the food and the service were atrocious. We made a hasty exit before the lack of tip could be noticed.

 

[casanovawa]

I've done a runner from an Australian restaurant once for the same reason (abysmal service)...

But really, its a coughpy system when you need a rule book to figure out how to handle it, and when serving staff get taxed on assumed/expected tips... I mean for pete's sake!!!

It's just odd, say with a bar tender, all their job is is to provide drinks (i don't need the chat) so pouring a drink i mean how much actual service is involved with that when its your very purpose of employment??? I don't want umbrellas and fancy fruit arrangements on the side of the glass.. Anyway, nuff said....

 

[blackcat20]

It's just odd, say with a bar tender, all their job is is to provide drinks (i don't need the chat) so pouring a drink i mean how much actual service is involved with that when its your very purpose of employment??? I don't want umbrellas and fancy fruit arrangements on the side of the glass.. Anyway, nuff said....

But tipping the bar tender can get you served ahead of the crowd. My friend and I found in Vegas that our drinks were placed on the bar as soon as we headed in that direction; no need to order or wait in line. It can have its advantages.

 

[harvyk]

• When you land, buy some / a cheap item(s) at a kiosk or the like to break large bills so you can get some small change.

I usually get about $20 worth of $1 notes prior to going (most currency exchange places know of the need for small bills) that way I'm ready for the tips from the moment I land.

I also try to do anything I can myself, as I personally feel that if your just doing your job then you shouldn't be tipped for the sake of it and the idea of tipping someone who does not go completely out of their way for me is crazy. Of course I still leave a tip whenit's the social norm...

 

[casanovawa]

I'm actually one of those people who just wants to be served when its my turn... At a bar or in the shops i will point to someone else if they were standing there before me...

 

[Teak]

I had a taxi driver in NY complain that I did not tip him enough. It was after our flight from Newark into the city - we were all exhausted. I paid the driver and he kept saying not enough, adding that I had to pay for his return tolls etc. I paid $50 more than what was on the meter, as he was not going to let our bags out. And, yes he was a registered driver, we stood in the right lane got a quote and was allocated a taxi. I wish I had taken his number to complain, but I was too exhausted after the flight.

I don't like having to pay by bag, travelling with a family this adds up.

I also don't understand the logic between waiters/waitresses requiring a tip to maintain there wages and 'counter service' staff not needing a tip - does this mean their pay is even lower?
.

 

[casanovawa]

$50 over the meter, man i think i would of lost it!! I exchanged a few harsh words with this pr!ck of a taxi driver in Barcelona one time who quoted me 20 euros to only end up driving me about 5 minutes after i had arrived in town about midnight and didn't quite know where i was going... That and a few other experiences means i avoid taxis like the plague when overseas...

 

[dfcatch]

I've done a runner from an Australian restaurant once for the same reason (abysmal service)...

But really, its a coughpy system when you need a rule book to figure out how to handle it, and when serving staff get taxed on assumed/expected tips... I mean for pete's sake!!!

It's just odd, say with a bar tender, all their job is is to provide drinks (i don't need the chat) so pouring a drink i mean how much actual service is involved with that when its your very purpose of employment??? I don't want umbrellas and fancy fruit arrangements on the side of the glass.. Anyway, nuff said....

Paid $8 or less per hour, you survive on the tips.

If you're good, and can keep the "locals" on their barstools for longer, you can make quite a bit.

If not - then $8 per hour it is.

 

[drron]

I've only not tipped once; both the food and the service were atrocious. We made a hasty exit before the lack of tip could be noticed.

That is not the american way!Everyone quite loudly justifies the reasons for a lack of tip.I have tipped 1 cent for atrocious service.Once in a Chinese restaurant in NYC.I went to the register and told them what I was doing.The Manager/owner challenged me but i simply raised my voice and told him what was wrong-those in earshot on the queue to get in promptly left and the manager realised he was on a hiding to nothing.
On our next trip to NYC we were not surprised to see the restaurant had been closed by the Health dept.

I had a taxi driver in NY complain that I did not tip him enough. It was after our flight from Newark into the city - we were all exhausted. I paid the driver and he kept saying not enough, adding that I had to pay for his return tolls etc. I paid $50 more than what was on the meter, as he was not going to let our bags out. And, yes he was a registered driver, we stood in the right lane got a quote and was allocated a taxi. I wish I had taken his number to complain, but I was too exhausted after the flight.

I don't like having to pay by bag, travelling with a family this adds up.

I also don't understand the logic between waiters/waitresses requiring a tip to maintain there wages and 'counter service' staff not needing a tip - does this mean their pay is even lower?
.

I am not sure from EWR but if you get a a taxi from JFK to Nassau county,even if the distance you travel from JFK is less than into Manhattan you are charged twice the meter for that part of the trip outside of NYC boundaries.There is a $15 surcharge getting a NYC taxi to EWR but I would guess you got a New Jersey cab.When we have gone outside the NYC boundaries we have always been told of those extra charges before starting out though.So you did still get ripped off.

General rule for us-double the tax in restaurants in NY and CA.Up to 15% elsewhere.Make sure you haven't already been charged a tip-in many tourist areas,if in a large group or in NYC if they think you are British a tip will be added to your bill.Last month in Orlando the amount was 13% so I didn't argue.
As we have wheeled luggage we always take it ourselves.
The difficult ones are the Concierges.For small things-$5.But sometimes they really do deserve a lot more.Once at the DT Metropolitan the concierge got us tickets to a Billy Crystal performance that was sold out.I initially gave him $10 but our seats were 4th row centre and in front of me was Henry Kissinger.I gave him another $40 next time I saw him.It was worth it.

 

[blackcat20]

That is not the american way!Everyone quite loudly justifies the reasons for a lack of tip.I have tipped 1 cent for atrocious service.

We probably left a dollar or two (it was a while ago, and my first visit to the US)...but seriously, the people in this place totally creeped us out and we wanted out.

But otherwise, I always tip, and very well for great service (such as the two free bottles of wine we got in NYC)...it may not be our system but it works.

 

[BVT]

I also tend to leave $2 per day for the hotel cleaning staff - they're the bottom of the totem pole. Yes, they should be paid a living wage, but the reality is they're not ... and when they provide a good service (which they do!) I'm happy to leave the $2 ...

+1

It works wonders, especially if staying in an hotel for more than one or two days. Usually, once the cleaner works out the $1/$2 on the desk is intended, they are, in my experience, most obliging. I work on $1 per day per person in the room.

Have a great trip.

 

[dajop]

I have come to accept tipping in the US. Although if the advice given by ppl (not on AFF) is anything to go by, 15% has morphed into 20% and in turn morphed into 20% of the after tax amount (not the before tax amount as I had assumed).

My biggest complaint is that the rest of the world is expected to abide by the US tipping culture when in the US. Which is fair enough. But it's a shame it doesn't work both ways when travellers come to Australia they should abide by our tipping culture as well, not the tipping culture they have in their home countries.

 

[Storyteller]

I see tipping in the US as just the price of doing business nowadays.
The above method of total in restaurant & move the decimal place, then add 50% works for me. This gives more than 15% of the pre-tax amount. I usually do it all on my cc.

My way of not accidentally handing over a couple of hundreds instead of a couple of $1s, is to keep my $50 & $100 bills in a different part of my wallet. (it has happened)

Been caught out with groups of 6 or 8 where tip / gratuity is already included in bill. Nowadays, every time, I want to see the bill, rather than someone else at the table just give me an amount that is my share to pay. After a long dinner & lots of drinks, this is a real trap!

Good hotel, on arrival the concierge / doorman always gets maybe $5. I never have to wait more than a couple of seconds for a cab. Each time, maybe another $2 changes hands. They keep smiling at me & keep helping me, so I guess the amount is right.

Again, it's the cost of doing business.

Oh, and it's ok to ask if they can make change so I can tip them.

 

[anat0l]

I have come to accept tipping in the US. Although if the advice given by ppl (not on AFF) is anything to go by, 15% has morphed into 20% and in turn morphed into 20% of the after tax amount (not the before tax amount as I had assumed).

I always held that the "nominal baseline" for % based tips is 15% everywhere except for New York city, where the baseline is more like 20%. I always based my tip on the after tax amount; perhaps I've been to generous, though on most bills the absolute difference is not huge.

Why is the tipping baseline in New York higher? 'Cos it's New York...everything is expensive...

My biggest complaint is that the rest of the world is expected to abide by the US tipping culture when in the US. Which is fair enough. But it's a shame it doesn't work both ways when travellers come to Australia they should abide by our tipping culture as well, not the tipping culture they have in their home countries.

What tipping culture here? We don't have any here. It is certainly not expected to tip people here, though there is a thread going around saying that for outstanding service, a tip of ~10% is suggested. But it is never expected and unlike in the US, no one will chase after you if you do not tip.

I have no problems per se with Americans (or any culture) tipping in Australia, even if it's the nominal 15% that they are used to. Mind you, the British are slightly less subtle, adding 12.5% in "optional gratituity" by default to your bill. In this country, it isn't standard but not frowned upon or taken badly. An American who constantly tips may have problems in, say, Japan, where tipping is usually very much frowned upon and is viewed as rude and insulting (i.e. a "tip" in Japan is viewed as a bribe, or "support money" that seems to tell people that they are not doing their job properly).




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