Traveling. Eating Out. Getting to the Salon. These are all things on the Classic Woman’s calendar, however, with each activity there is also the delicate matter of tipping. The Classic Woman is well aware that tipping not only benefits the person giving the service, but is also a reflection on the Classic Woman herself. Therefore, it is crucial to know how much to tip and which services need one. The following guidelines are based on information from the Emily Post Institute and the web article “Basic Tips on Tipping: How Much and To Whom?” by J.D. Roth.
RESTAURANTS:
WAIT SERVICE (Sit Down): 15-20%, pre-tax.
WAIT SERVICE (Buffet): 10%, pre-tax.
HOST or MAITRE D’: No obligation for greeting or showing you to your table; $10.00 – 20.00 for going above and beyond to find you a table on a busy night.
TAKE OUT: No obligation; 10-15% for extra service (curbside) or for a complicated order.
BARTENDER: $1.00-2.00 per drink or 15-20% of the tab.
BARISTA: No obligation; may throw coins in a jar if Barista provides something extra.
COAT CHECKER: $1.00 per coat.
RESTROOM ATTENDANT: $0.50-3.00 depending on the level of service.
VALET: $2.00-5.00; tip when the car is returned to you.
HOTEL STAFF:
BELLMAN: A “smile” and a thanks when he opens the door; $1.00-2.00 per bag ($2.00 minimum) for carrying luggage; $1.00-2.00 for hailing a cab (add an extra $1.00 if it’s raining); $1.00-4.00 for going above and beyond the call of duty.
BELLHOP: $2.00 first bag, $1.00 additional bag; $2.00 – 3.00 for each additional service, such as room delivery.
CONCIERGE: No obligation for answering questions; $5.00 – 10.00 for tickets or restaurant reservations; $15.00 for hard to get tickets or reservations or 10-20% of the ticket price.
HOUSEKEEPER: $1.00-2.00 per person, per night; in higher end hotels, $3.00 – 5.00 per person, per night; tips are left daily with a note “Housekeeping — Thank you”. If staying one night in a motel, tips are not necessary, however, the $1.00 – 2.00 guideline is used for multi-day stays. Note: Housekeeping is not considered by most U.S hotel guests to be a tip-based service, however, it is much appreciated by the staff.
VALET: see Restaurants
ROOM SERVICE: $5.00 minimum (unless gratuity is included in check).
TRAVEL:
TAXI DRIVER: 15-20% of the fare, $2.00 minimum; $2.00 for the first bag, $1.00 for additional bags.
BUS DRIVER (not mass transit): $1.00 – 2.00 if he handles luggage.
CHAUFFEUR: 10-15%.
PORTER/SKYCAP: $2.00 for the first bag, $1.00 for additional bags; $2.00 for heavy items.
PERSONAL SERVICE
BARBER/HAIRSTYLIST: 15-20% to be split among those who served you.
MANICURIST: 15-20%.
SPA SERVICE: 15-20%.
MASSEUSE: 15-20%.
FACIAL, WAXING: 15-20%.
SHOE-SHINER: $2.00 or 3.00.
THE FINER POINTS OF TIPPING according to the Emily Post Institute:
Always treat servers with respect.
Leaving a generous tip doesn’t make up for ordering someone around or treating them dismissively. While tipping augments servers’ incomes and rewards them for a job well done, treating them kindly is just as important.
Try to carry some cash.
Some places it is not possible to put a tip on a card.
If you are in doubt about whether to tip, ask in advance.
In some situations, leaving a tip could be seen as demeaning. Taking the time to find out what’s expected can spare you an embarrassing moment.
It is acceptable to tip on the pre-tax amount of the bill.
For large parties this can be quite different than the total.
Tipping discreetly is classy.
Tipping is a private matter. Don’t act like a “big spender” and flash a lot of bills.
Money is the tip of choice.
Gifts should be reserved for the holidays to top-off the tips you have given regularly throughout the year.
