Tipping Tips: Who, when and how much

In these days of now 2017, confusion is rampant. But there isn’t anything much more confusing than when to leave a little bit of extra cash and for whom to leave it. For us “privileged millennials,” or “poor, starving college students” if you prefer, this has become a more serious question.

Overall your general rule should come down to how much good karma you want.

“Tipping doesn’t say as much about the server as it says about you,” said David Ramsey,  radio financial guru. “Have you ever carried one of those trays? No? Then shut up.”

(For Dave Ramsey’s full tipping segment, click here.)

Harsh, but true. A lot of different types of people work their lives away to make our lives better. General rule number two — if you can’t afford the tip, you can’t afford the meal/service.

Some of us or our peers may be working the tables for tips to pay tuition, we all should know they work off tips. But how much? And what about fast food places, the lady who does your hair or your Netflix-and-chill buddy? Here’s some tips on how to tip.

Tip One: don’t tip your Netflix-and-chill buddy, that’s illegal.

Food Service

Normally fast food places are a safe place to not tip. Some will have tip jars, but don’t feel obligated unless they have cool comparisons. It’s like a Twitter poll that matters. If you don’t like the current minimum wage, tipping is a great way to help. As an added bonus, sometimes if you tip they’ll sing their appreciation.

Restaurants hold to the standard 15 percent of your check, you decide if you want to include tax or not. This standard should be your baseline, good service may increase your tip. Buffets are still restaurants. Even if the server doesn’t bring your food to you, they do clean up during and afterwards. Often a table at a buffet is more work to clean than a normal restaurant.

“I think it’s understood that 15 percent is the minimum but 20 is the ‘impress your date by being a charitable tipper’ minimum,” said Logan Jones, Statesman Sports Content Manager.

Hosts, bussers, cooks and etc are normally covered by higher wages or split tips from the wait staff. It’s never inappropriate to ask if you’re wondering who to tip.

Delivery drivers are a 10 percent minimum, but 15-20 percent for a difficult delivery.

Graphic by Emmalee Olsen

Daily Services

If you’re not starving enough to go get a massage, 15-20 percent again holds true. This stays the same even if you go on a regular basis.

Your barber or hairdresser also deserves 15-20 percent. If you get your hair washed at the salon or barbershop, a $2 tip is appropriate for the person who shampoos your hair, but there is no need to combine these tips if your hairdresser cuts and washes your hair.

Anyone who touches and makes your feet look better should be given a 15 percent tip. Even if you think the lady doing your nails or your pedicure is talking about your stinky feet behind your back, tip her 15 percent.

Other services

These next few services you may only run into on your spring break trips, so as you plan now, plan to tip these people.

Hotel maids should be left a bit of money every day as the maid who cleans your room on Tuesday and Wednesday may not be there when you check out Thursday. $2-5 is the appropriate nightly rate for maid service. Even if you put the “do not disturb” sign out for three days until you leave, you should leave enough to cover every night you were there. Leave more if you trashed the room.

Going swanky for your next vacation? Anyone who handles your baggage (i.e. bellhops, SkyCap, cabby or hotel doormen) should be paid $2 minimum, and an extra dollar for every additional bag.

Washroom (bathroom for those who don’t speak Canadian) attendants should be given about a dollar at least. Remember, they keep the bathroom not smelling like one.

Cruise lines all have their own policies on tipping, however, all-inclusive does not exclude you from tipping. Check the cruise line’s website before you leave to make sure you have enough cash on hand for room service and the one or two people who will make monkeys and dragons out of your towels daily.

Generosity is key

Always remember these two general rules — be generous, and don’t go if you can’t afford the tip. We do live in America, and it’s a large part of american culture to tip. In the words of “Adam Ruins Everything” comedian Adam Conover “If you don’t do it, you’re an a–hole.”

Richard considers himself a bit of an authority on tipping as he worked in food service for far too long.

— richard.poll@aggiemail.usu.edu

@richard_poll