WHO TO TIP?

Tipping Tips:

You might feel like you still need a cheat sheet to make it through the maze of tipping do's and don'ts. Here, we offer the following suggestions for average tips, but be cautions that you should feel free to adjust them according to your circumstances, income and locale (large, metropolitan areas would be on the higher scale and small, rural areas would be a bit lower):


HOTELS:


Doorman – $1 if he gets a taxi, $2 in bad weather

Porter – $1 minimum per bag when checking in or out, more if heavy bags

Room service – $2 minimum

Maid – $2 to $3 per night

Doorman or parking valet – $1 to $2 for bringing your car around

Concierge – $3 or more for tickets; if it took extra time, like getting tickets to the best Broadway show, the tip should be 10 percent of the cost of the tickets


SALON:


Hairdresser – 20 percent of the total bill if you are having a cut, color, permanent or other time-consuming treatment; 15 percent for a wash and blow dry

Shampoo person – $2

Manicurist or pedicurist – 15 percent of the cost (minimum $1.50)


RESTAURANTS:


Server – 15 to 20 percent for good service, a bit higher in large cities like New York (if a server goes out of his or her way for you, be more generous

Lunch counter or self-service – 10 to 15 percent; even if you have a drink at a counter, tip $.25

Headwaiter, waiter – 15 to 20 percent

Bartender – 15 percent at the bar

Wine steward – 10 percent of the cost of the wine

Pianist – $1 to $2

Strolling musician – $1 to $2

Coatroom attendant – $1 per coat

Ladies' and men's room attendants – $.50 to $1


OTHER SERVICES:


Massage therapist – 15 percent

Personal trainer at health club – 15 percent

Taxi/limousine driver – 15 percent

Car wash personnel who clean the inside of the car and wipe it dry – $2

Shoeshine person – $1 to $2

Red caps (trains), sky caps (planes) – $1 to $2 per bag

Dog groomer – $2 to $5


WHO NOT TO TIP:


Professionals, such as health care workers (food for the nurses' station is acceptable), teachers, lawyers, accountants, decorators, realtors, travel agents, etc.

Owners and mangers of businesses

Airline stewards

Ships' officers

Train conductors

Municipal or long-distance drivers

Employees of the federal government, including postal workers

Ushers (theater, opera house, etc.); some European concert halls are the exception

Plumbers and other service employees, unless they come after hours as a favor

Busboys unless very efficient, then $2 to $5


Enjoy your day!

xoxo RitzyNina