Tipping is a custom that is more complicated than it seems! CNBC recently got in big trouble after its video on how to save money by leaving less tips went viral. People were not happy with the message!
Whether you’re in favour of tipping or not, many working people depend on the custom to make ends meet. By definition, tipping is a supplement, a gratuity offered to commend the quality of the service offered by someone. While tipping is not enforced by law, it is deeply enshrined in social convention. Restaurant employees are paid less than minimum wage, and also have the obligation to declare 8% of the revenue from tips, no matter how much that may be. Thus, a certain moral obligation exists to offer them a tip.
Tipping doesn’t only exist in the restaurant industry, which often raises questions. How much should you leave, and to whom should you leave it? Let’s dive a little deeper.
Tipping in Restaurants
When eating at a restaurant, it is customary to tip 15-20% of the total bill, including tax. If the food was sub-standard, remember that the waiting staff is not responsible for that. You should judge them on the service, not the food.
If you’re in a fast food restaurant or café, the staff behind the counter is generally not paid the typical service wage (less than minimum). They are paid the “real” minimum wage, so tipping is entirely discretionary.
Bartenders should generally be tipped about $1 per drink, regardless of the value. For large bills, apply the 15-20% rule.
For delivery, it’s customary to tip 10% of the bill.
In the Service Industry
Some jobs are not salaried in accordance with tips, but there is still a deeply-rooted custom to tip these people. Massage therapists, hair dressers, estheticians and other jobs where the person is directly involved with you generally receive a tip for a job well done. If you know you’re going to be returning there because you liked the service, leave a tip. Otherwise, keep your money and go elsewhere next time.
As for taxi and Uber drivers, usually a 10% tip is acceptable. They might deserve more if they went out of their way to take care of your luggage or if they saved you time by taking a shortcut or any other way. Keep your money if the driver got lost or took a detour intentionally.
Other Industries
Grocery Deliveries: tipping $1-5 per delivery (depending on the size) is usually acceptable.
Coat Check: you should leave $1-2 if the coat check is free. Otherwise, tipping is discretionary.
Movers: it is customary to tip each person a small amount, ($20-50, depending on the size of the move). If it’s your friends helping, use your judgement: often pizza and beer is considered enough. If it's a team helping you move, the money can go to each individual or to the foreman, who is then responsible for distributing it.
Paper Delivery: if your paper is carefully placed in front of your door each morning (as opposed to haphazardly thrown onto your property), consider giving them a tip of at least a yearly gift.
Other Countries
In the United States, Russia and Mexico, tipping practices are similar to here.
In France, Italy and Spain, service charges are added to the bill in restaurants. You can add an extra 5% if the service was truly exceptional.
In South America, it’s usually recommended to leave about 10% of the bill.
In Japan, Corea and China, don’t tip! It's not part of the culture like it is here.