How much to tip



If you ask 10 people how much to tip in a given situation, you'll get several answers and a slew of hot-headed opinions about the "right" thing to do.



To help start your next debate, here's a quick guide to customary gratuities for various services. The guide is provided by the Emily Post Institute. Those with passionate views about how much to tip the pizza-delivery guy, please see the information in the footnote provided by two other sources.



(For a look at the real reasons we tip and whether tipping has anything to do with the quality of service we receive, click here.)



RESTAURANTS/BARS Waiter/waitress: 15% of bill (excl. tax) for adequate service; 20% for very good service; no less than 10% for poor service Headwaiter/captain: often gets a cut of table server's tip; so tip your server extra to reward captain, or tip captain separately Sommelier, or wine steward: 15% of cost of the bottle Bartender: 15% to 20% of the tab, with a minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink Coatroom attendant: $1 per coat Parking valet or garage attendant: $2 to bring your car to you Washroom attendant: 50 cents to $1

DAILY LIFE Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags. Food delivery person:* 10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery. Grocery loader: Check with store policy if tips are accepted. If so, $1 for bringing bags to car; $1.50 to $3 if you have more than 3 bags. Barber: 15% to 20%, minimum $1, for a haircut. For other services (shampoo, shave or manicure) tip $1 to $2 to service provider. Hairdresser: 15% to 20%. (It is now acceptable to tip owner, unless he or she says otherwise.) Shampoo person: $2 Manicurist: 15% Spa service (e.g., massage): 15% to 20%. If service is provided by owner, no tip. Staff at coffee/food retailers with tip jars: No tip required. It's completely optional. Handyman: No tip Gas attendant: No tip * Mike Lynn, associate professor of consumer behavior at the Cornell Hotel School suggests tipping pizza delivery folk a minimum of $2 per pizza. His reasoning: Food delivery can be dangerous if delivering to crime-ridden neighborhoods or driving in bad weather, etc. The Web site www.tipthepizzaguy.com suggests the following: 15% for normal service, with a $2 minimum; 20% for excellent service; 10% or less for poor service; at least 10% for orders of $50 or more. Don't assume a delivery charge, if there is one, goes to the pizza deliverer. Ask the person who takes your order.



TRAVEL Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter. Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag) Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions. Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.

* Additional source:

Source: Emily Post Institute* Additional source: Tipping.org



