7 Helpful Pointers on Tipping to Avoid Overspending ...

By Lisa

7 Helpful Pointers on Tipping to Avoid Overspending ...

I don’t know about you, but I could use some pointers on tipping. There are so many variables to take into consideration when tipping it can get a little confusing. Depending on where you are, what you’re doing and how the service is, the amount you tip can vary a lot. Some people have a set amount they tip no matter what, whereas some people never tip. While a lot of it comes down to personal choice, I would think there has to be some sort of guideline on tipping. So, I decided to research some helpful pointers on tipping so you’ll be prepared, no matter what!

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1

Restaurants

Restaurants Let’s start off these pointers on tipping with the most common place, a sit-down restaurant. According to EmilyPost.com, the standard is 15-20% but of course you can always tip more for outstanding service. If you’re dining at a buffet, 10% is recommended by HowStuffWorks.com.If you used a coupon or received a discount, remember to calculate the tip based on the price without the discount. Remember that the server still did the same amount of work regardless of the discount!

2

Food to Go

Food to Go If you’re grabbing your dinner to go from a local eatery, BusinessInsider.com says there is no tip necessary. If you’re getting curbside service or your order was especially large or complicated, like ordering several orders with substitutions or extras, fell free to eave 10% or more for the extra work. If you’re getting food delivered to your house, give 10-15% of the cost of the order or more for complicated orders.

3

Baristas

Baristas I used to go to specialty coffee houses a lot in college even though I could barely afford it. Because I was a poor, yet highly-caffeinated student, I didn’t always tip my barista. It wasn’t that the service was bad or that I was being stingy but for some reason I assumed that they were making a pretty good wage without tips. Regardless of their wage, they’re still hand-making a coffee I was too lazy to make or don’t have the equipment to make so it would make sense to tip. Well, there were some differences in opinion on this topic. Business Insider says no tip required while HowStuffWorks.com says 10-15%.

4

Hair Salon

Hair Salon The hair salon is another place where I tend to shell out more money than usual for tips. Some salons really make getting your hair cut or colored a really great experience so I have no qualms about leaving a good tip. Both Emily Post and Fashionista.com suggest 15-20% of your bill, but of course you can tip higher since a good cut and color are priceless! If your hairdresser has an assistant, don’t forget to tip him/her around $5-$10.

5

Hotel Service

Hotel Service When staying a hotel we often receive help or services from people we might not necessarily interact with but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t tip! If you’re getting help with your luggage, the standard appears to be $1-$2 for the first bag and an extra $2-$3 for additional services like room delivery. For housekeeping, consider $2-$5 per day with a “Thank You” note. Did you order tickets or dinner reservations from a concierge? Emily Post suggest $5-$15 depending on the complexity of the order.

Famous Quotes

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6

Bartenders

Bartenders Much like a good haircut, a good drink can be invaluable to a person. Show your bartenders love by tipping 15-20% of the total cost of the drink. Author and former server Steve Dublanica explains that servers often receive a tip for serving drinks even though the bartender made it, so there’s no reason not to tip the same amount to the barkeep.

7

Bad Service

Bad Service It can be downright painful to leave a tip when you received bad service but Steve Dublanica advises against leaving a bad tip. He explains that leaving a bad tip or no tip is punishing everyone associated with the establishment including those who might not have given you bad service. He recommends leaving a tip but speak to management about your experience to explain that you weren’t happy with the service, but are leaving a tip anyway.

There are many opinions when it comes to tipping, but I hope these recommendations help make tipping easier the next time you’re out. Do you follow any specific rules when tipping? Do you think these tipping suggestions are too low or too high?

Sources: people.howstuffworks.com, thefrisky.com, rd.com, businessinsider.com, emilypost.com

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I used to tip way too much, because I was a server for so long and know how hard it can be. Now I tip the standard 15-20% depending on service. I just cannot afford to tip any higher than that any more. When I was a server, a lot of people would tip $2 no matter how much the check. This is unacceptable. I usually drink water and skip extras so that I can save some cash to leave a better tip. At subway and places like that, I usually tip 50 cents to a dollar.

Thanks for the tips. Never understood how much I should tip. The recommended tip is 15-20%. That's good to know, will keep this as a reference.

Tattoo artists should be on here I've heard anywhere from 20-50% I'm curious which it is!!!

I go to Starbucks 2-3 times a day. It almost feels douchey leaving a 10% tip because that's 30 cents per order, I'd feel obligated to leave $1, and then at that point I'd be spending an extra $60-90 per month. I know I should tip... Ugh

I leave tips according to service. Do not feel the need to supplement someone's salary, that is not my job. But leave generous tip for service. If I have poor service and the place is not busy, or I see the waitperson talking instead of taking care of their tables, I won't leave a tip.

You should tip your barista what you would tip your bartender. It is often more complicated and time consuming to make a coffee drink than a cocktail. Same goes for takeout food. It is far more trouble to box things up with all the takeout condiments and dressings on the side and it often takes your bartender or server away from their customers that actually have the courtesy to eat in the establishment. Let's not be cheap, people! Servers do not make a living wage in the US.

I tip depending on the service, if I go to a salon and get a horrible haircut, I make it known before I pay and I'm not tipping 15-20%. Same goes for a restaurant, I go to the same places cuz the service is always great so I tip 30%.

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