Discussion
I know this will have been done before but the search only shows me older stuff.
I am going to NY next month for the first time and dont know the etique for tipping. What is the norm and to whom should I be tipping.
I have paid for airport transfers, does the driver get a tip? hotel bag person, how much do I give for this etc?
I am going to NY next month for the first time and dont know the etique for tipping. What is the norm and to whom should I be tipping.
I have paid for airport transfers, does the driver get a tip? hotel bag person, how much do I give for this etc?
alan36 said:
...whom should I be tipping....
Everyone 
20% on top of anything with a price.
Things like bags, something like a couple of bucks per bag, so perhaps $5 for a couple? (I don't stay anywhere fancy enough to not carry my own bag).
In these days of contactless payments for pretty much everything they have them setup with on-screen prompts for various tip levels.
Truckosaurus said:
Everyone
Sadly thisIn a modern battle against the cost of living crisis and inflation in general, the U.S seems to have seen fit to pile the pressure on people to tip more 'generously', rather than address the core issue of their staff not being paid enough as a basic.
Was there 2 months ago for a short business trip.
TLDR version - tip what you want, not what they tell you, if you think they have done something to deserve it.
It grates to tip especially when using the corporate credit card (it's not my money), but in some restaurants or hotels, 'suggested tipping' is getting a bit nuts.
The hotel i stayed in 'suggested' $10 a night tip for housekeeping on a little card beside the bed- er No thank you.
Especially when you have 4 or 5 taxes plus an overall service charge on the final hotel bill too. (makes claiming on expenses a pain as well).
Personally, i don't tip unless i've had decent service. Breakfast for 2 in a diner came to around $60 - suggested tip was 25% $15.
The only thing that the waiter had done was put iced water on our table (which we didn't want/ask for).
So no, when it came to pay, i declined to tip at all, it was a buffet FFS.
I'll often tip in cash rather than put it on the bill, in the vain hope that the waiter/waitress actually gets the tip instead of a cut after manager takes his share.
If the service enhances the experience of a meal - i'd gladly tip but i decide on the amount. Sometimes generously. I'have had hotel concierge's go out of their way to be useful, helpful, organise trips/transport/get tickets/sort out problems etc. - this i'd definitely reward. So i guess overall it balances out. I'm not that miserable - i've worked in the hotel trade myself and can spot good management, service, organisation and elegance which takes professionalism and hard work, so do tip when i see it.
But i'm not tipping someone to just do their expected job adequately as a subsidy to their employers pay, which is generally the American system.
And if you think NYC is bad in this respect, try San Fran.
TLDR version - tip what you want, not what they tell you, if you think they have done something to deserve it.
It grates to tip especially when using the corporate credit card (it's not my money), but in some restaurants or hotels, 'suggested tipping' is getting a bit nuts.
The hotel i stayed in 'suggested' $10 a night tip for housekeeping on a little card beside the bed- er No thank you.
Especially when you have 4 or 5 taxes plus an overall service charge on the final hotel bill too. (makes claiming on expenses a pain as well).
Personally, i don't tip unless i've had decent service. Breakfast for 2 in a diner came to around $60 - suggested tip was 25% $15.
The only thing that the waiter had done was put iced water on our table (which we didn't want/ask for).
So no, when it came to pay, i declined to tip at all, it was a buffet FFS.
I'll often tip in cash rather than put it on the bill, in the vain hope that the waiter/waitress actually gets the tip instead of a cut after manager takes his share.
If the service enhances the experience of a meal - i'd gladly tip but i decide on the amount. Sometimes generously. I'have had hotel concierge's go out of their way to be useful, helpful, organise trips/transport/get tickets/sort out problems etc. - this i'd definitely reward. So i guess overall it balances out. I'm not that miserable - i've worked in the hotel trade myself and can spot good management, service, organisation and elegance which takes professionalism and hard work, so do tip when i see it.
But i'm not tipping someone to just do their expected job adequately as a subsidy to their employers pay, which is generally the American system.
And if you think NYC is bad in this respect, try San Fran.
alan36 said:
I am going to NY next month for the first time and dont know the etique for tipping. What is the norm and to whom should I be tipping.
I have paid for airport transfers, does the driver get a tip? hotel bag person, how much do I give for this etc?
Personally I go with Mr Pink's approach to tipping. I have paid for airport transfers, does the driver get a tip? hotel bag person, how much do I give for this etc?
We were in NYC a few months ago and it could just be the low rent establishments we frequented but didn't really find ourselves in the position were much tipping was required.
We used subways exclusively to get around and they don't need tipping.
Was in LA/Vegas earlier in the year with prepaid transfers and I didn't tip any of those drivers, I just get out and walk off, never seemed to be a problem, but I wouldn't know anyway as I've walked off
The few restaurants we ate in we just round up to the nearest whole number, but then Pizza Slice Joints didn't seem to get tipped, if someone tells me the bill is $10 they get $10
I always work on the scenario of 'am I coming back here' if not the tips buying my nothing, obviously if the service has been above and beyond then reward accordingly but to just expect it is wrong in my eyes, and they can't spit in your food after you've eaten it.
I find it extremely ignorant to travel to somewhere and then just ignore their customs. If 10/15/20% is considered the standard tip you can’t just adopt our own culture of tipping being the exception because you’re not in the UK. In some states tipped minimum wage is less than £2 per hour, the tips aren’t really tips in the UK sense ie a Brucey bonus, they are their wages. That’s obviously a s
t system but you’re not fighting it by refusing to tip you’re just short changing some poor sod who relies on their tips to make a living. If you want to be tight or don’t agree with tipping culture don’t visit countries that have one, by not participating in the way the locals do you’re just being a prick and it’s nothing to boast about.
OP, drivers generally get tipped. If they helped you with your bags and drove well and the car was clean then standard US percentages. Porters in hotels a couple of bucks per bag, $5 as suggested above seems like a sensible amount. Hotel maids a few bucks per night, extra if they leave you loads of extra waters or you make some sort of request.
t system but you’re not fighting it by refusing to tip you’re just short changing some poor sod who relies on their tips to make a living. If you want to be tight or don’t agree with tipping culture don’t visit countries that have one, by not participating in the way the locals do you’re just being a prick and it’s nothing to boast about.OP, drivers generally get tipped. If they helped you with your bags and drove well and the car was clean then standard US percentages. Porters in hotels a couple of bucks per bag, $5 as suggested above seems like a sensible amount. Hotel maids a few bucks per night, extra if they leave you loads of extra waters or you make some sort of request.
alan36 said:
I am going to NY next month for the first time and dont know the etique for tipping. What is the norm and to whom should I be tipping.
As above - everyone expects a tip for doing their job (the bare minimum). A tip is not for good service.I was followed out of a restaurant (with my guests) in NYC for only leaving 10% - despite this 10% being a substantial sum.
I really don't like the proliferation of tipping when there is no value-added service. For example, go into a cafe and order a takeaway bagel. Staff member hits the bagel button on the till and then you go to pay and there is a tipping screen you have to go through before paying. Literally a few seconds pressing a button and they expect 20% of your standard US expensive bill?
Whatever you think about the US tipping system its worth bearing in mind practically how it works for the staff. For example in restaurants wait staff are taxed on expected tip as if it is part of their wage. Lets say they get $5 per hour and their expected tip is $15 per hour. The IRS taxes them on $20 per hour. You have a perfectly nice meal, only leave a nominal tip or no tip and the person who served just spent money to serve you.
The wait staff you see are also passing on an element of the tip. Your meal is $200 before tax and tip. You leave the expected $40 tip. The bar staff, those topping up water, clearing plates, food runners etc etc are all being tipped by your server, and likely taxed on what is expected.
I now assume the price on the menu needs 30% added to account for tax and tip. If I'm not happy with that price I don't eat at that restaurant.
Taxis 10-15% rounded
Bags a couple of dollars
Drinks in a bar, $1-2 per drink.
I used to find the US tipping culture annoying, I'm now more "when in rome" about it. Also, a few dollars isn't going to make any difference to you when you've already paid hundreds to get there and hundreds to stay there. Might make a difference to the person expecting or hoping for that tip!
The wait staff you see are also passing on an element of the tip. Your meal is $200 before tax and tip. You leave the expected $40 tip. The bar staff, those topping up water, clearing plates, food runners etc etc are all being tipped by your server, and likely taxed on what is expected.
I now assume the price on the menu needs 30% added to account for tax and tip. If I'm not happy with that price I don't eat at that restaurant.
Taxis 10-15% rounded
Bags a couple of dollars
Drinks in a bar, $1-2 per drink.
I used to find the US tipping culture annoying, I'm now more "when in rome" about it. Also, a few dollars isn't going to make any difference to you when you've already paid hundreds to get there and hundreds to stay there. Might make a difference to the person expecting or hoping for that tip!
Do not follow Sly Fox’s advice above - that’s just stiffing people and being unreasonably unaware of how and why the tipping system exists.
15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
I suppose you could be really cheap about it, since you'll probably won't return to the same locations but I'm just not able to do that. I usually tip around 18-20% in restaurants when the service is at least half decent, you'll get used to that pretty quickly. Also expect suggestip tip amounts on the bill in the more touristy areas. On a long-ish taxi drive (JFK to manhatten) I tipped 20 dollars, seems to be the norm.
I do however refuse to tip for take away food or just an icecream somewhere. That trend really started in the covid years, never seen tip options on the till at these kind of places before that. Housekeeping kinda depends, not if i;'m staying just for a night. But when you're there for a week I suppose you could leave a bit of money on one of the days.
I do however refuse to tip for take away food or just an icecream somewhere. That trend really started in the covid years, never seen tip options on the till at these kind of places before that. Housekeeping kinda depends, not if i;'m staying just for a night. But when you're there for a week I suppose you could leave a bit of money on one of the days.
x5tuu said:
Do not follow Sly Fox’s advice above - that’s just stiffing people and being unreasonably unaware of how and why the tipping system exists.
15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
OP can do what he likes. Been going to US for 35 years. Tipping situation over there unlike any other country. You don't have to buy into it. 15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
But hey - if you want to subsidise the employers profits- go for it.
sly fox said:
OP can do what he likes. Been going to US for 35 years. Tipping situation over there unlike any other country. You don't have to buy into it.
But hey - if you want to subsidise the employers profits- go for it.
You don’t have to buy into any local custom or culture when travelling but you should stop visiting if you persistently refuse to do so because you’re giving the rest of us a bad name. Don’t like the tipping culture? Stop visiting a country where it’s embedded.But hey - if you want to subsidise the employers profits- go for it.
sly fox said:
x5tuu said:
Do not follow Sly Fox’s advice above - that’s just stiffing people and being unreasonably unaware of how and why the tipping system exists.
15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
OP can do what he likes. Been going to US for 35 years. Tipping situation over there unlike any other country. You don't have to buy into it. 15% for poor/below average service
20% for average to good service
Skys the limit for exceptional
You don’t need to tip fast food, housekeeping, etc if you don’t want to - they are the vegas-effect of tipping spread.
But hey - if you want to subsidise the employers profits- go for it.
Your ignorance is staggering - “buy into it” - utter BS - it’s a factored cost of travelling and spending in the US that all travellers need to make.
(This is coming from someone who lives in the US part of the year and while I don’t like the tipping culture, I understand and appreciate its need for it against a backdrop of poor workers rights and unmanageably low salary standards in many states)
cb31 said:
I really don't like the proliferation of tipping when there is no value-added service. For example, go into a cafe and order a takeaway bagel. Staff member hits the bagel button on the till and then you go to pay and there is a tipping screen you have to go through before paying. Literally a few seconds pressing a button and they expect 20% of your standard US expensive bill?
You do not have to tip in this situation. It is a recent trend and it is not one I think should be encouraged.h0b0 said:
cb31 said:
I really don't like the proliferation of tipping when there is no value-added service. For example, go into a cafe and order a takeaway bagel. Staff member hits the bagel button on the till and then you go to pay and there is a tipping screen you have to go through before paying. Literally a few seconds pressing a button and they expect 20% of your standard US expensive bill?
You do not have to tip in this situation. It is a recent trend and it is not one I think should be encouraged.Give tips in cash directly to the person.
Carry a good few $1,$5 and $10 bills as you will chug through them each day!
$5 is not considered much in NY.... just so you know!!
When tipping in restaurants I do tend to stick closer to 10%.
I appreciate this is below the norm but when you spend $200+ on a lunch for 2 people then 20% is IMHO too much unless something is great.
Its pretty rude to not tip at all - so only don't tip if its been really bad.
Taxi drivers round up the fare, bell boys / bar tenders etc $3-$5.
Door men and general "people" doing 30 second thing (i.e guy making the pizza or sandwich etc), $1-2.
When I was there last year I was shocked by the prices.
IME.
2 drinks in a small bar $25
Bottle of wine in hotel $>50
Sit down lunch for 2 $150+
Couple of cocktails $50-60
Diner breakfast for 2 $60
Burger, fries and drink $10-15 ppn
Subway $10-12 per foot long (actually good value if you share and byo drinks)
Nice dinner for two, 2 glasses of wine each, 3 courses. $>300.
Short taxi ride 5-10 min $20
Longer taxi ride 50-60 min $100
The tourist stuff ESB, 1WTC, SoL etc is serious too. You can easily spend $300-$400 just doing a handful of the usual tourist things ppn.
We have been to NYC a few times so normally just do one thing each time now. Last year we went up the ESB and IIRC it was $90 for 2.
They do a city pass for about $150 that gets you 2 trips up the ESB and SOL and a couple of museums. Good value imo.
HTH
Carry a good few $1,$5 and $10 bills as you will chug through them each day!
$5 is not considered much in NY.... just so you know!!
When tipping in restaurants I do tend to stick closer to 10%.
I appreciate this is below the norm but when you spend $200+ on a lunch for 2 people then 20% is IMHO too much unless something is great.
Its pretty rude to not tip at all - so only don't tip if its been really bad.
Taxi drivers round up the fare, bell boys / bar tenders etc $3-$5.
Door men and general "people" doing 30 second thing (i.e guy making the pizza or sandwich etc), $1-2.
When I was there last year I was shocked by the prices.
IME.
2 drinks in a small bar $25
Bottle of wine in hotel $>50
Sit down lunch for 2 $150+
Couple of cocktails $50-60
Diner breakfast for 2 $60
Burger, fries and drink $10-15 ppn
Subway $10-12 per foot long (actually good value if you share and byo drinks)
Nice dinner for two, 2 glasses of wine each, 3 courses. $>300.
Short taxi ride 5-10 min $20
Longer taxi ride 50-60 min $100
The tourist stuff ESB, 1WTC, SoL etc is serious too. You can easily spend $300-$400 just doing a handful of the usual tourist things ppn.
We have been to NYC a few times so normally just do one thing each time now. Last year we went up the ESB and IIRC it was $90 for 2.
They do a city pass for about $150 that gets you 2 trips up the ESB and SOL and a couple of museums. Good value imo.
HTH
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