Jammer's Travel Guide (tm) -- Tipping Etiquette in the Land of the Free (and right to arm bears)
Facts to consider
[list type=decimal]
[*]Service workers generally believe they are under-tipped and if asked will suggest a larger tip than is actually customary. This has somehow carried over into many travel guides and internet sources
[*]In some cases a tip jar will be present even in situations where tips are not customary.
[*]When in the U.S., tip only in U.S. currency.
[*]Reduce tips when the service is poor (uninformed, incompetent, rude, etc.).
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Restaurant where you pay AFTER you eat. General rule is 15% of the total for competent, capable service. If the wait staff truly contributed to your enjoyment of the meal, consider 20%. Inept service, still leave 5-10% in most cases; no tip at all is reserved for situations where the wait staff were being rude, spilled things on you, and other egregious behavior.
Restaurant where you ordered unusually expensive items Like a $200 bottle of Champagne or something. Calculate the tip as though the expensive item had been a similar typically priced item.
Restaurant where you pay BEFORE you eat (cafeteria or fast food). Traditionally no tip is left in these situations. 5-10% may be appropriate if there is attentive table service at buffet and cafeteria places.
If your toddler made a huge mess or you ripped the sink off the bathroom wall in a drunken fit of pique Adjust tips upwards accordingly. In the latter case you may stop by the following day to settle up after sobering up.
Bars It usually works best to make a large tip on your first order ($5-$10 per person depending on how long you plan to stay) so that the bartender pays closer attention to you and so you aren't constantly having to figure out how much leave after each little purchase.
Hotels Housekeeping staff are grossly underpaid. I almost always leave a dollar or two in the room.
Baggage handlers No tip necessary unless they are providing extra service at your request, such as getting bags out of your car or taking them to your room
Valet parking Tricky area, usually with a hotel or restaurant valet I tip a dollar or two, but at parking ramps that require you to valet park so they can fit more cars in the ramp I usually don't.
Pizza and other ready-to-eat food delivered to your home (or RV or similar location) 15% or so, less for unusually large or high dollar orders (as with a large group), more if you're out in the middle of nowhere and they drove a long way
Grocery deliveries Most have a "no tipping" policy. Follow it.
Liquor deliveries $5-$10, more for unusually heavy or otherwise problematic deliveries.
Car wash They like tips but it isn't really customary unless you get them to do more work than usual.
Taxi, limo 10-15%, less if the cab is poorly maintained, odoriferous, unsafe driving, etc. More for nicely appointed limos driven with style and courtesy.
Haircut 15% although some people who own their own barber shop don't like to be tipped.
Shuttle bus driver at an airport, car rental place, hotel. 0%, sorry dude. If you're feeling generous or they pulled five heavy bags out of the back of the trunk of your car at your insistence then give them a buck or two.
Coffee bar They will have a tip jar out. It isn't customary to leave a tip unless you place a difficult order or are otherwise making their life difficult.
Musicians, comedians, other entertainers Anywhere from $1-$5 per audience member for a hat pass or tip jar if you enjoyed their performance. At least $5 if you make a request for a specific song. No tip is required if you buy a CD or similar item from them. In more formal venues that charge admission no tips are customary unless the performers indicate otherwise
Package delivery No tip.
Mechanics and other repair personnel No tip except maybe if they stayed open late or came in after hours.
Tour guides, fishing guides, etc. Expectations vary widely with some operating under a "no tipping" policy and others engaging in artless dunning for tips. Use your judgment.
Charter pilot No tip necessary in most although they do appreciate them. If they are selecting the destination or acting as a tour guide they may expect a tip.
