Quick answer to a question I receive a lot, how much do I tip when I visit the USA?
Tipping is deeply ingrained in American culture.
When it comes to tipping in the USA, I'm using New York City (NYC) as an example, it is customary to follow certain practices. Here are some guidelines that I use for tipping in NYC:
1. Restaurants: It is common to tip around 15-20% of the total bill before tax. The tip amount can be left in cash or added to the credit card payment. If the service was exceptional, you can consider tipping more. I always advise to double the New York City local tax and round up, that gives you a clear idea of how much you should tip.
2. Bars: For bartenders, a dollar or two per drink is a common practice. If you're running a tab, you can leave a 15-20% tip based on the final amount.
3. Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services: It is customary to tip taxi drivers and ride-sharing service drivers around 15-20% of the fare. You can round up the amount or add a few extra dollars to the total.
4. Hotel Staff: It is customary to tip hotel staff who provide services such as housekeeping, bellhops, and concierge. The amount can vary depending on the service received, but a general guideline is to tip a few dollars for housekeeping and a few dollars per bag for bellhops.
Remember, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service, and while these guidelines are common, it's always up to your discretion to adjust the tip based on your experience and satisfaction with the service provided.
Happy US travels.
I have never understood this notion of tipping in the USA, restaurant owners should pay their staff more and not be dependent on tips for their income.
ReplyDeleteAt one place we went to they added 20% to the bill and still expected us to tip on top of that. We did neither. We paid for what we ordered and not a dollar more.
No wonder people expect to earn $100k a year or they don't think they are worthy!