Food Service
Barista
No tip required, though many suggest throwing coins into the tip jar.
Bartender
$1/drink (or 15% of total bill). Pre-tip for better service.
Delivery person (including pizza)
10%, $2 minimum (also, also)
Maitre d?
$5-$25 for special efforts
Takeout
No tip required unless something special is done (also, also)
Waiter
15% for adequate service, 20% for exceptional service. For poor service, leave 10% or less. It?s okay to leave nothing for exceptionally poor service, but only if you?re sure it?s the waiter?s fault.
Hotel Staff
Bellman/Porter
$1 to $2 per bag, $5 minimum. (Or, just as many places say $1 bag, $2 minimum.)
Concierge
$5-$20 depending on the service. $20 if he does something exceptional. Nothing for directions.
Housekeeper
$2 to $5 per night, paid daily or as a lump sum at checkout. (Most sites suggest you tip daily.)
Parking Valet
A wide range of opinions. Everyone agrees that you should pay when your car is retrieved. Some say to pay when it?s parked, too. Most sites say to tip $2, though some suggest $5.
Room service
$5 minimum (unless gratuity is included in check)
Travel
Bus driver (not mass transit)
$1 to $2, if she handles luggage
Cab driver
10%, $2-$5 minimum
Chauffeur
10-15%
Gas station attendant
Nothing. Or $2-$4. There?s no agreement. (I?ve never seen anyone tip a gas station attendant ever.)
Porter/skycap
$1 per bag. $2 for heavy items, or if porter brings luggage to counter.
Personal service
Barber/Hairstylist
Again, little agreement: 10-15%, 15-20%, etc. One person recommends $5 to each individual who shampoos or blow-dries your hair! (also)
Manicurist
15%
Spa service
15-20%
Masseuse
10-15%
Shoe-shiner
$2 or $3
Other
Building superintendent
Varies ?read more.
Coat checker
Most sites recommend $1 per coat, though one said $2 to $5 upon retrieval.
Furniture deliverer
It depends. Most of the time $5-$20. Some recommend simply offering cold drinks. (also)
Grocery store bagger
One site recommended $1-$3, though I?ve never seen one tipped in my life.
Mover
$10-$25 per person (also)
What about tipping at holidays? Tipping service people with whom you have regular contact can build goodwill. I found these recommendations:
Holiday Tips
Babysitter: one week?s pay
Doorman: bottle of wine or box of chocolates
Garbage collector: $15 to $25
Gardener: one week?s pay
Housekeeper: one week?s pay
Janitor: $15 to $25
Mail carrier: $15 to $20 (up to $20 non-cash)
Nanny: one week?s pay
Newspaper delivery person: $15 to $25
Parking attendant: $15 to $25
Personal trainer: $20 to $50 (tip discreetly)
Some points regarding tipping etiquette:
If you use a coupon or gift certificate, calculate your tip based on the total before discount.
Tip above the norm if:
Service is exceptional,
You?ve been a burden, or
You are a regular client.
Don?t tip if it?s not deserved. Poor service should not be rewarded.
In some circumstances, if you offer an initial tip ? especially a large initial tip ? you?ll get better service.
If you take up a restaurant table for a long time, tip extra.
Tip discreetly.
When in doubt, tip.