How do you handle tipping in the USA?

[amusingmuse22]

I’m going to be in the US for about a year for work, so I’m trying to understand what to expect in terms of everyday costs, especially tipping. I’ve been reading up a bit, and honestly, it seems more confusing than I expected. One source I found said that around 72% of American adults feel they’re expected to tip more often than five years ago, even in situations where there isn’t much direct service. And apparently, tipping overall has actually dropped to the lowest level in six years because people are getting fed up with it. I don’t want to be rude or under-tip, but I also don’t want to overdo it just because a screen pops up asking for 25%. If anyone here has first-hand experience, how do you handle tipping in restaurants, cafes, bars, or even things like takeout and rideshares? Do you feel the expectations have changed, and what should someone new be ready for?

 

[emigre]

Shit like this is why people need to earn a living age and this to be incorporated into the overall cost.

To answer OP's question, I tip 15 to 20% but have never visited 'Merica.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

As an Americunt, my philosophy is:

• Tip 10%-20% at sit down restaurants where an actual person serves you (depending on how good service is)
• Tip delivery drivers whatever, I usually do based on distance traveled.

Thats it, don't tip anywhere else. No other service profession in the US uses "tipped wages" as a crutch to pay their employees, so I don't find it necessary to tip a grocery store or a fast food place or whatever else.

 

[Sicklyboy]

As an Americunt, my philosophy is:

• Tip 10%-20% at sit down restaurants where an actual person serves you (depending on how good service is)
• Tip delivery drivers whatever, I usually do based on distance traveled.

Thats it, don't tip anywhere else. No other service profession in the US uses "tipped wages" as a crutch to pay their employees, so I don't find it necessary to tip a grocery store or a fast food place or whatever else.

To add to this, when I'm at a bar/pub I'll usually end up tipping a dollar per drink if it's a beer pour or straight liquor or simple cocktail (like a rum and coke for example). More complex cocktails (special/layered shots, long island iced tea, etc) I'll usually tip $2. I also rarely drink these days, even less so at pubs, so take that with a grain of salt.

I hate tip culture.

 

[K3Nv4]

The more we tip the less it'll give reason for corperations to pay a living wage to their workers. McDonald's workers want $15 an hour but waitress expect you to pay their paycheck from accepting a $5an hour job in the first place and relying on you to cover their living income. I get it more so at mom and pop restaurants but my views will always be the job you work at should be paying them more not us being expected to pay them over just wanting to enjoy food. I'll go to the chef directly and pick up my food but it's against policy to go back there unless you work there huh? Then people wanna throw tantrums and post it only over still not being tipped enough.

Anyway I digress if you want to just be a good patron I'd say $5 for $20/$40 bill tip $10 etc or more is a good general rule. If you need a short Uber ride under $15 give them five stars and tip $3. But yeah any quick bite fast food stores and gas stations don't require tips.

 

[sexually_inactive]

Don't think it will actually happen in Trump's reign but minimum wages for hospitality workers need to go up so tipping becomes optional rather than something only fucking cunts refuse to do.

You should avoid eating at restaurants unless you're in a situation where it's awkward to refuse like if you're out with your friends or attending a work related function.

 

[impeeza]

I’m going to be in the US for about a year for work, so I’m trying to understand what to expect in terms of everyday costs, especially tipping. I’ve been reading up a bit, and honestly, it seems more confusing than I expected. One source I found said that around 72% of American adults feel they’re expected to tip more often than five years ago, even in situations where there isn’t much direct service. And apparently, tipping overall has actually dropped to the lowest level in six years because people are getting fed up with it. I don’t want to be rude or under-tip, but I also don’t want to overdo it just because a screen pops up asking for 25%. If anyone here has first-hand experience, how do you handle tipping in restaurants, cafes, bars, or even things like takeout and rideshares? Do you feel the expectations have changed, and what should someone new be ready for?

Tipping is to give alms. You already pay FOR THE PRODUCT AND FOR THE SERVICE. normally you pay more than the real cost of the product because you are paying for the service and or the experience ir the ambiance of the site. So if somebody is waiting for alms because is doing his job so not count on me.

 

[Veho]

Tipping is to give alms. You already pay FOR THE PRODUCT AND FOR THE SERVICE. normally you pay more than the real cost of the product because you are paying for the service and or the experience ir the ambiance of the site. So if somebody is waiting for alms because is doing his job so not count on me.

That's how it works in the rest of the world. USA is... different.

 

[lexarvn]

For restaurants/food delivery, I usually stick to just 15% and only if it is delivered or had wait service. No wait service or delivery means no tip. That also includes if I order something for pickup from a place normally has wait service, I don't tip because I'm not receiving that service.

I've never personally paid for ride share services in the US, so I've never tipped, but I'd probably still stick with 15% if I did.

That said, I know lots of older adults that tip like 20% for everything that asks for a tip and even at places that explicitly say gratuity is already included in the pricing because they are afraid of looking like a bad patron.

Also, there are definitely things that people tip for in the US besides the things you mentioned, like tipping barbers/hairdressers, or many of the staff at hotels. Some things might be regionally dependent how common it is as well.

In some states, tipping is definitely dropping off though because employees are required to be paid minimum wage regardless of if they receive tips or not, like where I live along the west coast for example, I see less people tipping for things for that reason. Most workers around here don't seem to expect a tip either and occasionally one will even actively tell you to not worry about tipping because of it. You may also want to ask who ever you potentially are going to give a tip if the money will actually go to them because there are places that it doesn't. That probably depends on the state and its tipping laws.

I really wish tipping would be eliminated and things were just priced so they can properly pay their employees. I know it stresses out people so much here. I loved that I never had to worry about tipping in when I lived in Japan.

 

[tmnr1992]

 

[MPRTwice]

I recall the woman who gave her two mites, and how The Lord said "For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

I personally feel it is wrong to hold back on tipping. If I need to make ends meet, God provides.

 

[K3Nv4]

I recall the woman who gave her two mites, and how The Lord said "For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

I personally feel it is wrong to hold back on tipping. If I need to make ends meet, God provides.

What about feeling like it's wrong to work for a job that won't pay them enough to make ends meet?

 

[MPRTwice]

What about feeling like it's wrong to work for a job that won't pay them enough to make ends meet?

I feel like it's wrong to underpay anyone.

 

[K3Nv4]

I feel like it's wrong to underpay anyone.

Which is the soul reason why workers expect you to tip them so they won't have to pay them a hire wage.

 

[MPRTwice]

Which is the soul reason why workers expect you to tip them so they won't have to pay them a hire wage.

I still do what I feel is right. My mother was paid nothing for setting a huge dinner, and it bothered her that people can be like that.

If one did not pay and another did, then who underpaid? And who was right?

 

[K3Nv4]

I still do what I feel is right. My mother was paid nothing for setting a huge dinner, and it bothered her that people can be like that.

If one did not pay and another did, then who underpaid? And who was right?

There is a big what if here so what if the waiter made 300k on a side job no one knew anything about? This is the bad area of tip culture that we don't know about and why it should be demolished. We don't tip officers for protecting us.

 

[MPRTwice]

There is a big what if here so what if the waiter made 300k on a side job no one knew anything about? This is the bad area of tip culture that we don't know about and why it should be demolished. We don't tip officers for protecting us.

If you feel it should be abolished and replaced with higher wages, then as long as no one is being taken advantage of, I can agree.

 

[Jayro]

I tip a minimum of $10 for sit-down service or food delivery. That should be the absolute floor in this shitty economy, not the ceiling. Anything less is just insulting TBH.

 

[AncientBoi]

At restaurants [mainly low level [ie Denny's]], I start with $10, and start deducting if there is any "problems". If I deem the service an food is "excellent", then I go Higher.

At better level restaurants, I start with $20 and do as above.

 

[Skv0ra]

30% for decent mixed drinks where they don't cost astronomically. Sometimes 100% when the bill is clearly half or a third of what it ought to be. 10%-0 on zero service takeout joints cuz there realistically isn't any extra service besides overpriced food where labor is included.