Tipping advice needed.

[Kiwi cop]

It is uncommon in New Zealand to pay tips for service. While some bars and restrains have a tip jar near the cash register and customers are encouraged to drop in their loose change, which is split between all staff at the end of the month, a minimum wage fast approaching what the liberals term the "living wage" mean that tipping individuals is discouraged. (and I wonder how quickly that "living wage" will rise in the future once the minimum rate catches up )

Last year a colleague travelled to the US and used his credit card to pay for meals the first few days. Then he discovered a charge of 30-35% was being added to the bill as a tip and started paying cash, anything from 10% of the bill up depending on how he viewed the service he received.

So what is the usual rate for tipping? And who do you tip? Everyone or just restaurants etc?

And how is it done? Is it like you see on TV where you just leave it on the table?

Certainly would not like to offend anyone as a "cheap tourist" when we are there.

 

[Absalom]

....
Last year a colleague travelled to the US and used his credit card to pay for meals the first few days. Then he discovered a charge of 30-35% was being added to the bill as a tip and started paying cash, anything from 10% of the bill up depending on how he viewed the service he received.

So what is the usual rate for tipping? And who do you tip? Everyone or just restaurants etc.

I have no idea what your colleague did or thought he saw, or where he ate.

On restaurant tickets, you get the bill, and depending on whether you pay at the table or at the cash register, the tip you write on the ticket when you sign it gets added to your food, nothing else. 15% should be the polite minimum if the service was decent; since I did food service for a while early in life, I usually overtip, around 20% unless I had an issue with the server. Cash tips get left on the table.

There are a few other people you can tip, like hotel porters or cab drivers, but I never use either, so I don't know the rules there. Restaurant service is really the common one.

PS: I suspect travelling as a foreign tourist you may come in contact with people we "natives" normally don't, like tour guides and such, that might take tips. But those are always optional. Sometimes you'll see little signs saying "We appreciate tips" or such. That would be a hint

 

[hoc9sw]

Difficult question. Most server staff is paid squat / minimum wage, expecting (and demanding) TIPS. What that $ amount is depend on the state. In Calif it is much higher than my Texas.

In my (2017, so recent) work life, 20% was the MAX. More than that, you did not get reimbursed.

For me, and I'm very frugal -

Self service, seat yourself, serve yourself, as in buffet, all they do is bring a beverage, $1 a head.

Table service (complete), 10-15% generally if they provide great service, 20% for the most outstanding. Maybe more in cash on the side if I can tell they are wounded warriors (purple heart / service star lapel pin buried in the restaurant promo pins. No more than 5% for "they showed up" or if the attitude sucked.

Worst I've ever done was one penny on a paper napkin with a note "I can't bring myself to leave you nothing. This is not an error."

I leave it on the table as cash most of the time, especially if a higher %. What goes on the card is automatically taxed at income tax levels (figure 20-30%). Cash on the table, depends on the server - management relationship. I can't encourage evading taxes, so I'll leave that to personal choice.

 

[Absalom]

One more thought, based on experiences traveling with European visitors:

I don't know about you, but least Europeans tend to get a bit uptight about money and worry about embarrassing themselves with incorrect tipping and awkward tip offers.

Don't sweat it. Americans are pretty relaxed about this stuff.

If someone has helped you to an extent that might warrant some extra reward, there is nothing wrong with just asking "Is it okay to offer you a tip?"

They'll either say "Sure!" and put out their hand, or "Sorry, we're not allowed to.", or sometimes even "No thanks, that's not necessary, sir, just doing my job!"

 

[Fishinfool]

Personally speaking, I don't like leaving a tip on the credit card. I'd rather just leave cash for the server, if the service is good. Usually I tip at full service restaurants, and cab drivers, as those are the services I would / have most frequently used.

A sit down meal with good service, usually 15 - 20%. Just a cup of coffee with a pleasant server, I'll still leave a dollar.

When I was a uniformed cop, there were a number of restaurants that we used to eat at for free. They appreciated the uniformed presence, especially in the off hours. I never felt right taking advantage of that, so I would tip the waitress the cost of the meal. Yea, we got good service..

Places that post they expect a certain minimum tip usually don't get my business. States that have enacted special high rate minimum wage for service employees? If I were an low hourly wage earner working in a skilled and physically demanding job making less per hour than a waitress in a clean, air conditioned dinner, I would have a hard time leaving any tip. Figure it has now already been built in to their pay rate.

Larry

 

[hoc9sw]

Duplicated

 

[hoc9sw]

...
When I was a uniformed cop, there were a number of restaurants that we used to eat at for free. They appreciated the uniformed presence, especially in the off hours. I never felt right taking advantage of that, so I would tip the waitress the cost of the meal. Yea, we got good service..

Places that post they expect a certain minimum tip usually don't get my business. States that have enacted special high rate minimum wage for service employees? If I were an low hourly wage earner working in a skilled and physically demanding job making less per hour than a waitress in a clean, air conditioned dinner, I would have a hard time leaving any tip. Figure it has now already been built in to their pay rate.

Larry

I was never in uniform, but was often on duty with the Sheriff's patrols, so often was comped a meal based on the table. But I agree, we left commensurate tips that guaranteed a "Hi Guys!!!" when any of us came in again. Poor new girl didn't get to choose who she waited on, and many got that "why me" look on their faces when we sat down at their tables the first time. Until we left.

 

[misswired]

I would purchase (very small fee) gift cards in 1000$ denominations or less.... that's just me, I don't use credit cards period. Traveling our wonderful country, you'll probably get taken more than once using credit. Cash is king!

About the tipping; if I'm gonna be somewhere for awhile , I'll tip exceptional....just passing thru, average tips.

Banging on an old lighthouse door close to dark, the light keeper stuck his head out a window halfway up. "What do y'all want"? "A tour of the lighthouse and watch you light the flame! NO, too many steps and I've got to get it lit! I've got cash! I'll be right down."...what a great tour of an old kerosene flame lit lighthouse with ancient German glass....plus the view!

 

[Kiwi cop]

I would purchase (very small fee) gift cards in 1000$ denominations or less.... that's just me, I don't use credit cards period. Traveling our wonderful country, you'll probably get taken more than once using credit. Cash is king!

About the tipping; if I'm gonna be somewhere for awhile , I'll tip exceptional....just passing thru, average tips.

Banging on an old lighthouse door close to dark, the light keeper stuck his head out a window halfway up. "What do y'all want"? "A tour of the lighthouse and watch you light the flame! NO, too many steps and I've got to get it lit! I've got cash! I'll be right down."...what a great tour of an old kerosene flame lit lighthouse with ancient German glass....plus the view!

Thanks.

All of the big expenses, like hire car, have already been paid for, as has some of our accommodation.

I already have a multi currency "Cash Passport" which works as either an ATM card or a credit card. The rate of currency conversion isn't great when changing from NZ to US dollars but it is easy to top up from our bank account if we need to.

ATM withdraws outside NZ attract no attract no charge. We plan to use cash and only use the card as "Credit Card" if absolutely needed.

 

[rwsmith]

23 to 30 percent MANDATORY tip????

That is really outrageous.

To me if the service is decent and warrants a tip I do 10%. 15% is customary and if I'm satisfied I'll pay that no problem. Exceptional service I like to give at least 20%. There have been occasions where I left no tip because I was dissatisfied.

We were in New York at a restaurant and my son paid the bill. On the way out the door some guy approached my wife like we were cheating him. My son is inexperienced and probably did short them a bit, but I thought that took some gall, but being New York, what do you expect? I think the most I would have done is asked if the service was satisfactory and hinted that more would be appreciated.

Tipping is different all over the world. Here in the US restaurant workers make far less than minimum wage and are expected to make up the rest in tips.

A place that we had frequented a lot used to divvy up the tips between the staff, but then decided that all the tips belonged to the company. We expressed our displeasure at that greedy rip off and found ways to circumvent it. And avoiding debit/credit cards left no trace.

 

[crazyphil]

Anyone who provides me with good personal services gets a tip.
Can't go too far wrong with 20% and it's easy to calculate in my head.
Anyone who provides bad service also gets a tip: "Don't play with matches".

 

[UncleEd]

Standard "wage" for servers is $2.13 an hour. That is the
calculation the IRS has set for collecting taxes on
a register runup at regular sit down restaurants.

So whatever is tipped becomes the real salary for the
server or servers.

Some restaurants now have a calculation at the bottom
of the check which indicates a tip of around 15 percent
to 25 percent.

Leaving cash tips really helps the servers. And remember
the tips are not just for the servers but also for the
kitchen help and busboys/girls if any.

For seatings of six or more it is not uncommon to add
a 15 percent charge to the bill automatically. Large
sittings are often a drain on staff help and the kitchen.
Just keeping drinks and refills is a tiring skill.

Restaurant prices are usually calculated at three/four times
the cost the restaurant pays for the raw goods.

Based on comments here, a lot of posters are cheapos
and probably should confine their eating to at-home.

 

[Onomea]

I pretty much agree with my uncle, above, but won't be calling anyone a cheapo, myself.

The point about some restaurants, generally the more higher end ones, adding in the tip beforehand is accurate, so look out for that. They still leave space, or a line on the credit card receipt, for you to add even more money. Don't do it. If they want to calculate the tip and insist upon it, leave it at that.

The standard I used growing up was 15%. I typically tip 20% nowadays because I have the money and I know waiter/watressing work is generally minimum wage.

While I would not do it today, I have left two cents as a tip for bad service. In my case on a credit card. This was forty plus years ago in NYC, in a well known, somewhat snooty, tourist trap, (O'Henry's), and the waiter was a lazy jerk. He came to my table and bounced the penny off it, cursing. I asked for the manager, who apologized to me, and said the waiters were union so he could do nothing. (I was maybe 22 at the time... Looking back, "Well done, young self!")

I have US credit cards that I use in Japan that have no foreign transaction fees. I prefer credit cards to gift or cash or debit cards because if lost or stolen, your obligation is zero if used by a miscreant. (At least that is how mine work. Plus, I get points to use for air travel, hotels, etc.) Might ask around in preparation for you US trip if you Kiwis have similar credit card deals. I would think so.

I also always leave a few bucks, generally three, on the hotel bed for the maids who clean up my hotel rooms. My mother taught me that. Most maids in hotels are hard workers, and it is a thankless job, on the whole.

If hotel staff carry my bags, I tip. Generally three bucks or so, but five if a lot of luggage. With hotel valet parking, I tip nothing dropping the car, and three or so bucks when it is retrieved.

It is a good idea if staying in hotels to have a pocketful of one dollar bills. Lotta service help around.

Also, if airport rental car bus drivers help with bags, I give 'em a coupla bucks. If not, I don't.

Also, don't be shy about saying, as you hand someone you wish to tip, e.g., a ten, "Give me back seven." Sometimes they will say they don't have change. If so, your call.

The main thing to remember, I think, is it is really up to you. Tipping is expected, generally, from/for service people, but always bear in mind you are the boss. They are your temporary employees. I think best to be kind, and just, but no need to put up with any **** either.

 

[Wise_A]

Holy hell, some of you guys are cheap.

Sit-down restaurant, table service, etc, 2-3 people: take the first number and double it unless the service was noticeably bad.

10% is what you give when the service was truly poor. 15% is "meh, you weren't really trying". Their manners were okay, but it wasn't exceptional and/or the service was average-to-poor, but you could see they were overworked/stressed.

I try and avoid the credit card for tips, simply because I figure it's taxed somehow. If you pay in cash, just leave everything tucked into the little folder or on the tray. If possible, hand it directly to the server and say, "I don't need change back." If you pay with a credit card, and you want to tip in cash, give them the card in the little folder, sign it when they come back, and you can leave the cash in the little folder when you leave. Or I guess you can give them the cash and the card together, and tell them the cash is for them. I dunno, I've never tried that.

The only thing that seems socially-weird is handing the tip directly to the server. Which is odd in itself, because it's not weird to tip for a haircut that way (barbershop or Super Cuts-esque place, I tip $5 on a $12-$17 cut; lately I've got coupons to a place, so I'm paying like $7 and tipping $5).

Now, you may see tip jars out at other places--burger joints, pizzerias, ice cream shops, and so on. Frankly, screw those guys--and I used to be one of those guys. If it's someplace I go all the time, I drop a buck in every now and then. If the service blows me away--like say, you manage to make a milkshake that doesn't suck--maybe a buck and my coinage. Otherwise? Piss off.

Speaking of which, KC, if there's a Five Guys in the area when you come here--you must stop for a burger.

Cheeseburger, ketchup, mustard, grilled peppers and grilled onions. The fries can be hit-or-miss, depending on the location and the time, but the burgers are awesome.

 

[jimmyj]

I "Tip" 20% of the bill no matter what.
If the service was bad or great, at least 20%.
(this might be one reason I have always been "Poor).
Jimmy

 

[arjay]

I agree with Jimmy,tip 20%,most servers work very hard for little money

 

[Kevin J.]

I agree with Jimmy,tip 20%,most servers work very hard for little money

Having had family members working in the service industry's tipping is their bread and butter (pun intended). 20% is the norm.

 

[BearBio]

Generally, 15% for decent service. 10% for less than stellar. Down from there. 20% (or even more) from good-excellent service or where we are regulars.

 

[JSR III]

I tip 20% for a regular restaurant meal. I also tip my barber. I don't tip at sub shops where the meal is merely delivered to the counter and the prices are high anyway.

When I helped a girlfriend at her restaurant, they only paid the waitress like $2.00 an hour but she made about $500 a week in cash tips. The restaurant taxes the wages but it is up to the server to report the tips. The woman in this restaurant never reported anything.

Bell hops, porters, doorman, chambermaids will all get a tip when I travel.

If the service is bad or the server is snooty then I usually give them the following tip:

Seabiscuit in the fifth at Belmont........

 

[HARDWARE]

i love subsidizing restaurant labor. the employees evading taxes on it is just a bonus.

i once read an interview where a restaurant owner said the industry only netted some ridiculous figure like 3% or something.... lol. no wonder theres so many restaurants around.

that being said, ive never cheeped out on anybody. i even tip on carry-out orders.