Appropriate Tipping In The United States Of America

Tipping in The United States of America is as expected as bowing when greeting someone in Japan. Here are some useful tips on tipping in America to avoid committing a massive faux pas.

Restaurants and bars

How much you should tip at a restaurant depends on these factors: the size of your party, the class of the restaurant and the quality of service:

• At restaurants and cafes, the general rule is to tip 15 to 20 per cent of your bill. If you spend a lot of money in a five-star restaurant and it lives up to your expectations, you should tip at least 20 to 25 per cent
• Sometimes, restaurants automatically include the tip in the bill. This particularly happens in tourist hotels and areas. Just because it's included, doesn't mean you have to accept it. If the service was below standard, tell the waiter/waitress to take it out of your bill
• The general tipping rule is a dollar (approximately 63p) a drink. So even if you order your own drinks from the bar, the bartender will expect a tip. If you order more than two drinks, you can pay a slightly smaller percentage. Give approximately $2 (approximately £1.27) for three or four drinks

Taxis

• Taxi drivers expect a 10 to 20 per cent tip

Tour guides and train porters

• If you go on a guided tour of celebrity homes and historic places and you think the guide did a good job, tip him/her $5 (approximately £3.17) or $10 (approximately £6.35)
• A standard tip for airport and train porters is $1 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy

Bellmen, doormen, concierges, hotel maids and cloakroom attendants

• $1 per bag is the standard tipping rate for hotel bellmen. Tip when he shows you to your room and again if he assists you upon checkout. Tip more if he provides any additional service
• A $1 tip to a doorman for hailing a taxi is appropriate. However, you may want to tip more for a thoughtful service, such as carrying your bags or shielding you with an umbrella
• For a concierge, the tip you should pay depends on the type of service they provided. Tipping $2 to $10 is a standard range. You may elect to tip for each service, such as making restaurant or theater reservations, or in one sum upon your departure. If you want to ensure special treatment from the concierge, you might consider a $10-$20 (approximately £12.70) tip upon arrival
• Maids are often forgotten about when it comes to tipping because they do their work when you are absent. For stays of more than one night, $1 per night is standard. Leave the tip in your hotel room in a marked envelope
• If you encounter a cloakroom attendant, a tip is unnecessary if there is a charge for this service. However, if there is no charge, or extra care is taken with your coat and/or bags, a $1 to $2 tip is appropriate

Parking attendants

• You can tip the parking attendant between $1 and $2 when your car is delivered

Disclaimer: If the service is bad, don't tip