I haven’t really thought about when or where I tip. For curiosity I checked with AI about “tipping etiquette.” Now I find out I’ve been doing it wrong… not really, that non-person resource is not always correct.
Take a look and see where you fit in. My comments are in italics.
Food & Dining
- Sit-down restaurants: 15% is the absolute baseline for acceptable service, but 18-20% is the standard expectation for good service. For truly exceptional service, 22% or more is customary. Tip on the pre-tax amount.
- Bars: $1 per beer, or $2 per cocktail. For complex or craft drinks, 20% of your total tab is appreciated. - I question this as beer cocktail prices can vary from town to town quite a bit. Is this Fort Scott prices or Kansas City prices? Do I tip $1 for a $3 beer and a $7 beer?
- Food Delivery: 10-20% of the order total, or a minimum of $5 for smaller orders. Add a few extra dollars during bad weather.
- Takeout/Pick-up: 10-15% is discretionary and a nice gesture for the kitchen staff, but it is not mandatory. - I am awful about this one. I simply do not think about tipping a place that I call, I go in to get the food and I don’t know if the cook gets the tip. When I remember I drop a little, but not a lot.
Personal Services
- Hair & Nail Salons: 15-20% of the total service cost. If you are getting a blowout, manicure, or color from different people, tip each provider individually. I tip on the service, but when buying product also I don’t include the cost of the product in the tip calculation.
- Spa Services: 20% is the standard rule of thumb for massages, facials, and other spa treatments. - I agree with this. However, I just got to thinking. I absolutely love a good massage. They do me as much or more good as a chiropractic visit. I remember to tip the massage therapist, but I have never thought of tipping a chiropractor. Should I?
When to Skip
Do not feel pressured to tip in the following scenarios:
- Fast-food restaurants, food courts, and self-service coffee shops where you walk up to the counter. - I disagree here. I’ll drop a little here too. If each customer did it would add up, even if it is $ .50. Especially somewhere like Sonic where they bring the food out to you.
- Drive-thru windows. - Same as above; drop a couple coins.
- Retail stores where an employee merely hands you a product.
- Checkouts with pre-programmed iPad screens where no personalized service is provided.
What do you think? Do I have it wrong? I’ve always thought I was kind of generous, then I learn of services and situations that I do not tip and feel a little ashamed.
