When, Where and Whom and to Tip?
Many workers earn their living through tips. As a customer, though, it can be a bit of a mystery to know whom you should tip and just how much you need to give them. It seems like everywhere we turn, there's another situation that leaves you wondering "to tip or not to tip?" To help you answer that question, we've provided a listing of several tipping guidelines for a variety of common services.
Waiters/Waitresses
The size of the tip depends on how well you believe you've been served. Fifteen percent is considered the baseline for adequate service. If you were really satisfied by the service you received, it's appropriate to raise that to 20%. If you feel you received bad service, even though you might feel your server deserves no tip at all, etiquette demands you leave at least 10% of your bill.
Bartenders
It's considered good form if you tip at least 50 cents for each soft drink you order and $1 for every alcoholic drink. This usually works out to 15% to 20% of your total tab.
Taxi Drivers
This amount will vary depending on where you live. You can safely assume 15% will do the job but if the driver helps you with your bags, you should kick in an additional dollar or two.
A Pizza Delivery or Other Food Delivery Person
The standard rate is 10% of the bill and at least $1 up to a $10 bill. However, if the delivery was a difficult one, either because of the size of your order or the location of your home, you should tip 15% to 20%.
Barbers and Hair Stylists
Regardless of whether you get your haircut or get your hair done, the standard tip is 15% to 20%.
Coffee Shop Baristas
This one's entirely up to you. No tip is required, but it is generally considered appropriate to toss in some coins (e.g., your change) into the tip jar.
Movers
Usually you should tip your movers anywhere from $10 to $25, depending on how much of a struggle was involved moving your stuff. It's also a very nice gesture to offer them some cold drinks as well.
Not every service you might receive on a daily basis requires you to offer up a tip. Grocery store baggers and gas station attendants, for example, don't require a gratuity for their services.
