I'm nominating this one for Post of the Year.
SeacrestKristi -- Yes, massage therapists get tipped. I usu. tip 20% to them. When I've bought gift certificates for massages to give as gifts, they don't let me include a tip, because they have no idea who will be giving the massage and it is too difficult to keep track of allocation of the cash, especially when a gift certificate may be valid for six months or a year. So, instead, I just enclose a $20 bill with the gift certificate and let the recipient know that it is for the tip. It is a bummer when you work in the customer service business and, even though you might be paid well, a customer leaves without tipping. You feel almost rejected, or that you didn't do your job well, because most people tip. As a couple people have mentioned, it is funn to tip heavy sometimes. It may change the attitude of the person for the remainder of the day and make them feel special. It is the gift which makes US feel good. It isn't always possible to tip heavy, but you shouldn't always stick to your guns about 20%, especially if the bill is under $10. WoW somebody every once in a while.
Hmmm, interesting. I always thought of them as a licensed professional, like a nurse, who wouldn't take tips, like ethically.I have been offered tips as a nurse, $100 one time but refused. Just didn't feel right professionally. Would you tip your nurse too? She gives baths and massages in the hospital and homes sometimes.
Don't get me wrong, I do like to tip wait staff 20+ for good service and extra at Xmas at our favorite place.
Tipping
- Thread starter Matt J
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See, this is why I need help! I don't want to make someone feel bad when they do a great job because I just thanked them instead of giving them $! Though IMO some folks need a reminder that "a tip" is also known as "a gratuity" or "bonus", not "their godgiven right even when they provide crap service."
Exactly what is encompassed by "the customer service business"?
For example, I'm not going to tip someone in retail, I'm going to buy more stuff more frequently.
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This guideline might be of help:
While most people feel confident when tipping in a [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]restaurant[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR], many people feel far less secure when it comes to offering a gratuity in other situations. However, most people desire to tip appropriately, but end up tipping either insufficiently, or too generously. Here are some basic guidelines to ensure that you?re tipping appropriately in almost any situation. However, keep in mind that these are suggestions, and you should feel free to adjust your tip based on level of service. Furthermore, these guidelines are geared toward experiences in the United States. If you?re traveling elsewhere, you may want to consult a travel guide to familiarize yourself with tipping practices in other countries.
Dining
Server at a full-service restaurant ? 15% to 20% of your total bill. If you?ve used a discount or received any free items, you should tip on the amount that your bill would have come to if you?d paid full price. If your party is large or placing many special requests, you should increase your tip appropriately.
Server at a partial service restaurant ? 10% of your total bill. Use discretion based on how much the server is expected to do for you.
Sommelier ? 15% to 20% of your total [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]wine[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] expenditures.
Delivery person for individual home food delivery ? 5% to 10% of the total bill.
Delivery person for large corporate delivery ? 15% of the total bill. 20% if the person is required to handle unloading of the food and setting up the entrees.
Host ? No tip is necessary, unless you convince the host to give you special service. In that case, make your tip appropriate for the size of the favor.
Take Out ? If the [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]restaurant [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]features[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] carryout meals, 10%. If the restaurant is typically only a sit-down location, tip at least 15% for the effort.
At the Bar
As a general rule, you?ll want to tip the bartender 10% to 15% of your total drink bill. However, if the bar is particularly crowded, be certain to tip generously after each round. If the bartender sends any complimentary [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]drinks[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] your way, you should tip about half the value of that round.
Vehicular Tipping
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Valet [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Parking[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] - $1 to $2 per car is usually appropriate, given when the car is returned to you. However, if you think that you may need to leave in a rush, you should also give the attendant a tip on the front end and request that your car be placed somewhere that it can be retrieved quickly.
Taxi ? 10% to 15% of the total fare.
Limos ? 15% to 20% of the total bill.
At the Airport
Skycaps - $1 to $2 per bag.
Long-term parking shuttle driver - $1 to $2 per bag, if the driver assists you with your bags.
Special Assistance ? Should you be traveling with crutches or a wheelchair, or if you need other special assistance from airport staff, you should tip a few dollars to any employee that gives you an extra hand.
Salon
Stylist ? 15% to 20% of the total bill
Colorist ? 15% to 20% of the total bill, but up this amount on occasion if your colorist works miracles. Also, if a stylist at the salon [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]blow-dries[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] and styles your hair after you visit your colorist, be sure to tip him appropriately, as well. You?ll generally be charged a reduced rate for this service after a color, so be a bit more generous in tipping for this service.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Shampoo[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Tech - $1 to $2
Nail Technician ? 15% to 20% of total bill.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Spa[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Tipping
Massage Therapist ? 10% to 20% per [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]massage[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR].
Aesthetician ? 10% to 20% per service.
Salon Services ? Same as above.
Spa Attendants ? At a resort spa, tip the spa attendants about 5% of your total bill at the front desk. If any particular attendant went above and beyond for you, you should tip that attendant individually. At [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]day [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]spas[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR], it is not customary to tip the attendants. However, if the day spa is one that you frequent regularly and the attendants go the extra mile for you, you may want to tip here, as well.
Casino Gratuities
Drink Server - $1 to $2 per drink.
Blackjack Dealer - $5 chip per gambling session (higher at high limit tables). Also, you can set up a side bet for the dealer as a tip, usually at the minimum betting level.
Poker Dealer - $5 chip per dealer rotation (usually every half hour). If you win a big pot, tip a bit extra.
Non-[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Food [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Deliveries[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]
Flowers - $1 to $10, depending on the size of the arrangement.
Furniture - $5 per item per delivery person minimum.
Urban Delivery Services ? 5% to 10% of total bill.
Hotel Tipping
Maid - $1 - $10 per night, depending on how expensive the room is, and how messy you are.
Room Service ? 10% to 15% of total bill. Many hotels add the gratuity to your bill automatically, so be sure to check your bill when the food is delivered.
Bell Desk - $2 - $3 per bag for delivering bags to your room; $1 - $2 per bag for retrieving your bags from storage.
Body Art
Tattoo Artist ? 10% to 20%, depending on the complexity of the work.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Piercing[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Technician ? 10% of total bill.
You may find yourself in other situations in which you think a tip may be appropriate. When in doubt, offer a tip in the 10% to 15% range. If the person doesn?t normally get tips, this will register in his or her face, and you?ll know not to tip that person next time. If your tip is below average, you?ll usually be able to see that in the person?s face, as well. Tipping doesn?t have to be intimidating; if you?re uncertain of how much to tip, just use common sense and you?ll be right on most of the time.
While most people feel confident when tipping in a [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]restaurant[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR], many people feel far less secure when it comes to offering a gratuity in other situations. However, most people desire to tip appropriately, but end up tipping either insufficiently, or too generously. Here are some basic guidelines to ensure that you?re tipping appropriately in almost any situation. However, keep in mind that these are suggestions, and you should feel free to adjust your tip based on level of service. Furthermore, these guidelines are geared toward experiences in the United States. If you?re traveling elsewhere, you may want to consult a travel guide to familiarize yourself with tipping practices in other countries.
Dining
Server at a full-service restaurant ? 15% to 20% of your total bill. If you?ve used a discount or received any free items, you should tip on the amount that your bill would have come to if you?d paid full price. If your party is large or placing many special requests, you should increase your tip appropriately.
Server at a partial service restaurant ? 10% of your total bill. Use discretion based on how much the server is expected to do for you.
Sommelier ? 15% to 20% of your total [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]wine[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] expenditures.
Delivery person for individual home food delivery ? 5% to 10% of the total bill.
Delivery person for large corporate delivery ? 15% of the total bill. 20% if the person is required to handle unloading of the food and setting up the entrees.
Host ? No tip is necessary, unless you convince the host to give you special service. In that case, make your tip appropriate for the size of the favor.
Take Out ? If the [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]restaurant [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]features[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] carryout meals, 10%. If the restaurant is typically only a sit-down location, tip at least 15% for the effort.
At the Bar
As a general rule, you?ll want to tip the bartender 10% to 15% of your total drink bill. However, if the bar is particularly crowded, be certain to tip generously after each round. If the bartender sends any complimentary [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]drinks[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] your way, you should tip about half the value of that round.
Vehicular Tipping
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Valet [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Parking[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] - $1 to $2 per car is usually appropriate, given when the car is returned to you. However, if you think that you may need to leave in a rush, you should also give the attendant a tip on the front end and request that your car be placed somewhere that it can be retrieved quickly.
Taxi ? 10% to 15% of the total fare.
Limos ? 15% to 20% of the total bill.
At the Airport
Skycaps - $1 to $2 per bag.
Long-term parking shuttle driver - $1 to $2 per bag, if the driver assists you with your bags.
Special Assistance ? Should you be traveling with crutches or a wheelchair, or if you need other special assistance from airport staff, you should tip a few dollars to any employee that gives you an extra hand.
Salon
Stylist ? 15% to 20% of the total bill
Colorist ? 15% to 20% of the total bill, but up this amount on occasion if your colorist works miracles. Also, if a stylist at the salon [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]blow-dries[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] and styles your hair after you visit your colorist, be sure to tip him appropriately, as well. You?ll generally be charged a reduced rate for this service after a color, so be a bit more generous in tipping for this service.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Shampoo[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Tech - $1 to $2
Nail Technician ? 15% to 20% of total bill.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Spa[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Tipping
Massage Therapist ? 10% to 20% per [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]massage[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR].
Aesthetician ? 10% to 20% per service.
Salon Services ? Same as above.
Spa Attendants ? At a resort spa, tip the spa attendants about 5% of your total bill at the front desk. If any particular attendant went above and beyond for you, you should tip that attendant individually. At [COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]day [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]spas[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR], it is not customary to tip the attendants. However, if the day spa is one that you frequent regularly and the attendants go the extra mile for you, you may want to tip here, as well.
Casino Gratuities
Drink Server - $1 to $2 per drink.
Blackjack Dealer - $5 chip per gambling session (higher at high limit tables). Also, you can set up a side bet for the dealer as a tip, usually at the minimum betting level.
Poker Dealer - $5 chip per dealer rotation (usually every half hour). If you win a big pot, tip a bit extra.
Non-[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Food [/FONT][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Deliveries[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR]
Flowers - $1 to $10, depending on the size of the arrangement.
Furniture - $5 per item per delivery person minimum.
Urban Delivery Services ? 5% to 10% of total bill.
Hotel Tipping
Maid - $1 - $10 per night, depending on how expensive the room is, and how messy you are.
Room Service ? 10% to 15% of total bill. Many hotels add the gratuity to your bill automatically, so be sure to check your bill when the food is delivered.
Bell Desk - $2 - $3 per bag for delivering bags to your room; $1 - $2 per bag for retrieving your bags from storage.
Body Art
Tattoo Artist ? 10% to 20%, depending on the complexity of the work.
[COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=verdana,sans-serif]Piercing[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] Technician ? 10% of total bill.
You may find yourself in other situations in which you think a tip may be appropriate. When in doubt, offer a tip in the 10% to 15% range. If the person doesn?t normally get tips, this will register in his or her face, and you?ll know not to tip that person next time. If your tip is below average, you?ll usually be able to see that in the person?s face, as well. Tipping doesn?t have to be intimidating; if you?re uncertain of how much to tip, just use common sense and you?ll be right on most of the time.
They are licensed professionals, but think of them more like your hairstylist, who is also a licensed professional. Realtors are also licensed agents, and I have often received gifts of thanks after closings from buyers or sellers. (I don't expect gifts, but they sure make all of the efforts feel worth it. I work for money, but my satisfaction in my job comes from knowing that I was able to help someone, and even a note of gratitude conveys that.)Hmmm, interesting. I always thought of them as a licensed professional, like a nurse, who wouldn't take tips, like ethically.
Don't get me wrong, I do like to tip wait staff 20+ for good service and extra at Xmas at our favorite place.
Thanks Gypsea!
I knew all of those except the tattoo artist! That one just made my day for some reason! :funn:
Write a lot of thank you notes too, sometimes to people's superiors which I figure helps them a lot in the long run.
I knew all of those except the tattoo artist! That one just made my day for some reason! :funn:
Write a lot of thank you notes too, sometimes to people's superiors which I figure helps them a lot in the long run.
There was this 75 year old man who was a longtime employee (like 40 years) of a Club where I worked. I loved this guy. He was full of stories, and was a super good soul. One night, I was driving him home after work and he was telling me about some cheap people who never in their lifetime, left him a tip. This man was so well liked by everyone, and many Club members gave him hundred dollar bills at Christmas. Anyway, this man said something to me that I'll always remember when tipping someone. He said, "If you cannot afford the drink AND a good tip, don't buy the drink." That was a principal that he followed, too.
I don't know who comes up with these standards, but I think food delivery people get screwed most of the time. They use their own cars and gas which they pay for, to deliver food so that you don't have to leave the house, and Gypsea's link says to tip them 5-10%. Let's say that you order a Large Pizza and the total bill comes to $20. With that math, the driver is getting paid $1-$2. Let's say the delivery guy drives a vehicle averaging 20 mpg, and the delivery will be local, 10 miles to your house and 10 miles to return to the store. His gas money to get the pizza to your door is $3.09, quite a bit more than the recommended tip. Sometimes, the driver may be busy and deliver to more than one house on a trip, but usually, he is getting screwed if that is what people are tipping. I think these guys deserve a minimum of $5, and even more depending on how far it is to the store, and the total bill amount.
As for the recommended bar tips, I usually tip $1 per drink. At some places, that is 50% of the drink price (tax included). I just couldn't see myself pulling out two or three dimes for the tip, each time I got a beer.
Remember, these recommended tip ideas are guidelines, and use a little common sense to know when to deviate.
As for the recommended bar tips, I usually tip $1 per drink. At some places, that is 50% of the drink price (tax included). I just couldn't see myself pulling out two or three dimes for the tip, each time I got a beer.
Remember, these recommended tip ideas are guidelines, and use a little common sense to know when to deviate.
That's why you should just order pizza from Amore and go pick it up! Better pizza and no math/mileage calculations required! ;-)
I have found it very interesting that some people have "strong" opinions about tipping while others have obviously not spent all that much time thinking about the practice. Also, it seems that some are good tippers from a genuine desire to "reward" someone for exceptional service while others may be more concerned about what the server thinks about them as person based on the % they leave.
This thread has made me question my motives. Do I tip a little more than the next guy because I've owned a food service business in the past? Could it be be because my baby sister worked her way through college, for 8 years, by waiting tables and tending bar? Or, is it because I'm trying to make up for my father, who was the cheapest man alive and thought $1 was good tip no matter what the bill was? He wasn't mean and certainly wouldn't want to insult the server, he was just cheap - plain and simple.
Food for Thought - no pun intended.
This thread has made me question my motives. Do I tip a little more than the next guy because I've owned a food service business in the past? Could it be be because my baby sister worked her way through college, for 8 years, by waiting tables and tending bar? Or, is it because I'm trying to make up for my father, who was the cheapest man alive and thought $1 was good tip no matter what the bill was? He wasn't mean and certainly wouldn't want to insult the server, he was just cheap - plain and simple.
Food for Thought - no pun intended.