Tipping
Tipping in the USA is not a voluntary gesture, but a fixed part of income. Many service workers earn only $2–3/hour base wage and rely on tips. Not tipping is a major faux pas.
Tipping Table
| Service | Expected Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (service) | 18–20% (before tax) | 15% = below average, 25% = excellent |
| Bar | $1–2 per drink | Or 15–20% on bills |
| Taxi / Uber / Lyft | 15–20% | Via app for Uber/Lyft |
| Hotel Housekeeping | $3–5/night | Leave on the pillow |
| Bellhop | $2–3 per bag | |
| Valet Parking | $3–5 | When retrieving the car |
| Tour Guide | $5–10 per person | For full-day tours: $10–20 |
| Hairdresser / Spa | 15–20% | |
| Delivery Service | 15–20% | At least $3–5 |
Important Rules
- Fast Food / Self-Service: No tip needed (Starbucks, McDonald's, Chipotle)
- Counter-Service with Tip-Screen: Many cafes turn an iPad to you with 15/20/25% options. Here tipping is optional (but 10–15% is nice)
- Automatic Gratuity: For groups of 6–8 people, 18–20% is often automatically added — stated on the bill
- Credit Card: When paying by card, enter the tip on the bill (line "Tip" or "Gratuity") and calculate the "Total" amount yourself
Achtung
Not tipping or tipping too little in the USA is NOT acceptable — it's like not paying the waiter. Even with mediocre service: at least 15%.
