RVing message boards > Visitors to the USA
Tipping in USA, how much and where?
Jan Stiskala:
Since I am Australian and tipping is not custom in Australia, I am terrified how I will manage this in US. My problem will be where to tip, and how much. I heard that some professions are totally depended on tip money and I would hate the situation when my tip is not proper.
I understand that this topic is bit unusual for you US born members, but I am living in different culture here. Australians are usually well paid for the job they do, so tipping is not custom here.
What about Canada?
SeilerBird:
Tipping can be done anytime you are really satisfied with the personal service you get. Examples would be waitresses, valets, hair stylists and maitre d. Examples of people you would not tip would be a cashier, a policeman (especially not a policeman!), toll booth operators and RV park owners.
Waitresses are the occupation most commonly associated with professions that depend on tips for their income. But I still refuse to tip them if the service is poor. Tips are for good service, not just for service in my book.
PS - There is no reason to be terrified.
ArdraF:
Hi Jan,
Having visited Down Under in the early 1980s we were surprised at the lack of tipping but noticed it was changing somewhat over the years. It's true many people in the US, especially in tourist areas and in service industries, depend on tips. They're paid the minimum wage required by law, but hourly workers don't always work a full workweek so their pay might be considerably lower than fulltime workers. After 9/11, when no airplanes were flying and there were few tourists, we heard people on the radio and TV encouraging others to tip more generously than usual because people like restaurant workers were really hurting. So yes we do tip, more if the service is unusually good. You'll also find that generally restaurant servers are more attentive here because they want a good tip. For example, we Americans like our morning coffee and the server often comes to the table with coffee pot in hand or takes your coffee order and comes back to take the rest of the order. We didn't see that very much in Australia and New Zealand. Also, tips in restaurants often are split between several people, including the wait person who takes your order, the "bus" person who brings the water and clears the table, and the "runner" who brings the food to the table. You'll generally be safe with 15-20 percent. Restaurants often have a notation on the menu that larger parties, say six or eight people, will have the gratuity added to the bill automatically. If you have a question about gratuities, by all means don't hesitate to ask the server. With your accent, they'll know you're "not from around here" and will be happy to help you. ::)
If you Google Tipping Customs in USA you'll find articles like the following. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html
Hope you enjoy your trip!
ArdraF
Hfx_Cdn:
Although minimum wage laws cover all employees in Canada, tipping of around 15% is usual for such things as waiters/waitresses, or more if the service was above expectations. Tipping for mechanics, etc only if you deem their work to be above that.
Ed
PS: Ardra, in states like Florida food servers do not fall under minimum wage rules, so most earn between $2 to $3 dollars per hour
donn:
Tipping is typical 15%. It can be higher for exceptional service or less for bad service. Tipping only appkies to sit down dining.
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