how to tip : an insider’s guide
September 1, 2006 by Sifu
Coming from a service industry background I thought I would do a quick post on how and when to tip.
Many people just don’t know the when and why of tipping.
As an Urban Monarch, a man of style and class, I would hope that this is something you will take care in reading and learning.
Something to remember is this: In most states, waiters and bartenders do not make very much as far as an hourly wage goes. Waiters for the most part make about $2.15 an hour and bartenders typically make around $6.50 an hour.
Now I know that getting a tip is something that should ideally be a reward for good service. There is nothing worse then a server or a bartender that gives poor service and then still expects you to leave a tip. Many people follow the perfectly reasonable maxim
“Tip according to service”
With that said, always include tipping when determining what your bill is going to be. If you do not have enough money to tip your server/ bartender then you should not be out in the first place.
One very simple thing for you to remember is this:
Tip well and you will be remembered and taken care of.
Don’t tip and you will also be remembered, with full price drinks, bad service, and weak poors.
Two things to avoid:
1. Tipping with change. It’s just rude
2. Not tipping at least 15 to 20 percent of the bill. Alternately, leave a dollar for every drink.
Here is a short list of other people that should be tipped for their services and an estimate of how much:
TIPS UPON SERVICE RENDERED AMOUNT
Car Washer - $2 to $5, depending on level of service
Coat Check Person - $1 per coat
Furniture Deliverer/Movers - $10 to $20 per person
Gas Station Attendant - $2 to $4
Hairstylist - 15 to 20 percent of bill minus tax, extra for special service
Latte Maker - $1 into the tipping jar
Maitre d’ - $5 to $25 for special efforts
Masseuse - 10 to 15 percent of bill minus sales tax
Shoe Shiner - $2 to $3
Pizza Delivery Person - 10 percent of bill minus sales tax, $2 minimum
ANNUAL TIPS AMOUNT (ENCLOSED IN A HOLIDAY CARD)
Babysitter - One week’s pay
Doorman - A bottle of wine or box of chocolates
Garbage Collector - $15 to $25
Gardener - One week’s pay
Housecleaner - One week’s pay
Janitor - $15 to $25
Mail Carrier - $15 to $20
Nanny - One week’s pay
Newspaper Delivery Person - $15 to $25
Parking Attendant - $15 to $25
Personal Trainer - $20 to $50 gift certificate
Water Delivery Person - $15 to $25
[via ehow.com]
-Sifu
The last time I moved I put my tip for the moving men on the check I wrote out. It probably would have been better to slip each of the guys a $20 directly.
Ok not to get stuck on GAMBLING again but since I was at MGM last night its fresh on my mind. How about some Casino tipping guidelines..
Gambling:
Poker room - When you win a pot it is good to throw a dollar to the dealer. (In cash games.. in tournaments where you buy-in you don’t want to throw your playing money to the dealers)
Craps - Tip early by making a bet on the table for the dealers. You can place ANY bet you want and call it a dealer bet. You can do less than the mininum too. For instance at a 10$ mininum table you can make a 5$ dealer pass line bet. If the point hits they win 10 bucks. If you are on a super hot streak and up several hundred start placing odds bets on your dealer bets. Everybody wins.
Blackjack - I’m not really sure but I’d like to hear Cash’s suggestion on this.
You lucky man with an MGM in the hood.
Okay, I’d agree with the good vibes Crap tipping wise, it just feels cool saying “hard ways 8 for the boyz..” or whatever.
Personally, when I play Blackjack I don’t tip at ALL. The reason being the advantage play only gives you a miniscule advantage to begin with, which is quickly eaten up by any tips you may give.
Other friends of mine I’ve gone to Vegas with (who pretty much just stick to basic strategy) will usually tip the dealer after they get a blackjack.
When tipping at the blackjack table, it’s ALWAYS preferrable to the dealer that you place a bet FOR them in lieu of simply handing them the tip.
The reason?
You could get another blackjack which (in any legitimate blackjack scenario!) pays 3:2 and ends up being a larger tip for them. Also, if you have to double down or split, it’s customary to match that on the dealer’s tip so again, you’re doing them a (potential!) favor.
Even if you lose the hand, they always appreciate the gesture.
BTW; to place a bet for the dealer you just put another chip (it can be any amount up to your original bet) next to the betting circle, typically at the “1 o’ clock” position. He or she will move it if you place it wrong, just don’t stack the chips on top of your own, that won’t work.
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