question about proper tipping

[la miss]

Do you tip the guy at Home Depot who helps you carry big bags of mulch and soil etc. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to tip them and how much. Thanks for help :)

[onegirlcreative]

nope. i don't. that's part of their job.

it's different these days, and nothing insults me more when i go to a dairy queen or starbucks and there's a tip jar right next to the register. sorry, i was a waitress for 5 years and i spent at least 30 minutes or longer with each customer/table, schlepped their food and drinks during that time frame and put up with their crap. so the fact that these people are getting tips for basically doing their job is insulting. not only that, these people make more than minimum wage an hour so it's just ridiculous.

when i was a waitress, here in the backwards state of colorado, the minimum wage for a waitress is like $2.13/hour or something absurd like that, so we depend on those tips to sustain us.

so no, i don't tip for someone helping me out to my car at home depot or making my ice cream at dairy queen. they need to actually "wait" on me and serve me drinks, salad, dinner, dessert, coffee, clear my dishes, etc. to warrant a tip.

but that's me.

p.s. i'm not cheap either, because i always tip 20% when going out.

[frick&frack]

no, I don't. but I think it depends where you live. I think in large urban areas like NYC they tip most people. I only tip wait staff at a restaurant (normally 20%), & someone who delivers food (10%).

[digby723]

I never tip anyone who carries things out to my car because it's part of their job description. When I had to do it in my job I was never offended when I didn't receive a tip since I never expected it. If offered though I took it, I'm a college student, I'm not about to turn down 10-20 bucks just for carrying something out on a dolly and helping someone put it in a car lol!

[sjunky13]

if someone is lifting more than one bag of mulch, say 5 or more. Yes tip them. Its hard work and they get paid like 8 bucks an hour.

[Gimmethebag]

I never have cash on me, so if there isn't a tip line on my receipt slip I am not giving a tip. If there is a tip line, I tip minimum a $1 (even for a $1 drink) or 20%+.

The only exception is I will take cash out specifically for travel: bellman and the cleaning ladies at the hotel are tipped.

[Vintage Leather]

My Guidelines for Tipping (take them as you will - all amounts are in USD - figure out the conversion rates before you travel)

Always tip bellboys, porters and baggage wranglers between 1-2 dollars per suitcase (more if it's heavy).
Tip between 10-20% at a restraunt, depending on the quality of service and if the gratuity is calculated with the bill or not.
Tip the bartender - also 10%. More if you want faster service for your second drink!
Tip your hairdresser if you love your cut.
Tip food delivery people around 10% - higher if extrodinarily prompt (quoted 40 min, and it arrives in 15...)
Tip furniture and appliance delivery people $20-40 per person - depending on the quality of service and the number of items being delivered. (a couple of items less than an entire home)
At a hotel (or your condo), tip the concierge if he procures reservations, tickets, the perfect cobbler who can do work at the last minute... the little necessities you didn't think you needed.
Tip the florist for delivery $3-5 depending on the size.
Tip the maids at an upscale hotel ~$5 per day - but only as you are leaving and if their service was extrodinary.
The Barrista and all those people with tip jars - only if they are remarkable at their job (if they draw espresso as Michelangelo painted. Of course - don't go to a coffee shop where the barrista doesn't draw pride in his or her work.)
Likewise, a contractor who does an amazing job - under budget and under schedule - I would give a bonus equal to about 10% of the original contracted amount - even if it isn't in the contract (I've only paid a bonus to a contractor once - under time and under budget is remarkable service!)
Cash christmas gifts for the waste management providers, postal worker, paper delivery (if they don't leave a mess when they pick up items, if they find lost packages or deliver promptly, if the paper lands near the door - in short - if they do their jobs well)

As for someone who loads something in your car - what level of work did they do? Did they rearrange your car, optimize your loading, or carry something that an ordinary person couldn't? Did they save you money or hours of time? One time I purchased a floor model on a patio chair, and the young woman working there disassembled it so that I could fit it in the trunk of my car, and not need to pay a delivery fee. If they did, then I'd tip about $5. If they just hauled mulch out and lifted it in your trunk - that is covered under their ordinary duties.

In short, tipping is a way of showing someone you appriciate them. You should tip if your service is incredible, and should be in relation to the amount they have done.

[~Fabulousity~]

I got some takeout from one of my fave Italian Restaurants on Friday, you know the curb side pickup, and was wondering if I was supposed to tip for that. I didn't call ahead I walked in and ordered my food and would have been perfectly fine sitting there waiting for it but its not set up so customers can sit inside and wait.

[la miss]

Vintage Leather wow what a great list.

Thanks for you input ladies!

[Pursegrrl]

I wouldn't tip for that, but that's just me. I consider that part of their job.

Restaurants/bartenders/baristas I tip generously, however.

[annemerrick]

What about at Sonic??? Do you tip???

[talexs]

Yep, I always tip them anywhere between $5 and $10, I didn't know that was part of their job, is it? But then again I tip everyone, I figure why not, Starbucks, Dairy Queen, little cafes I can't imagine they pay well so I like to think throwing $5 or so in their little tip mug helps a bit. And I always tip at Sonic, I figure they're rolling around on those damn skates and they are always so freakin polite, they deserve it. I was never a waitress, bartender, or anything like that; I just figure these people work hard so they deserve it.

[exotikittenx]

No, I would not tip for that.

[Allisonfaye]

I think I have noticed some Starbucks removing tip jars lately. Am I the only one who has noticed this?

[sillykitty]

Not to be argumentative, but I disagree w some of these. My opinions in bold. I live in the LA area for reference. Non-metropolitan areas might be different.

Originally Posted by Vintage Leather

My Guidelines for Tipping (take them as you will - all amounts are in USD - figure out the conversion rates before you travel) Always tip bellboys, porters and baggage wranglers between 1-2 dollars per suitcase (more if it's heavy). Tip between 10-20% at a restraunt, depending on the quality of service and if the gratuity is calculated with the bill or not. Less than 15% tip is not generally acceptable if you have received good/standard service. Poor service is another issue all together. Tip the bartender - also 10%. More if you want faster service for your second drink! I've worked as a bartender and cocktail waitress. Standard is either $1 per drink or 15%-20%, which ever is more. Tip your hairdresser if you love your cut. Tip food delivery people around 10% - higher if extrodinarily prompt (quoted 40 min, and it arrives in 15...) Tip furniture and appliance delivery people $20-40 per person - depending on the quality of service and the number of items being delivered. (a couple of items less than an entire home) At a hotel (or your condo), tip the concierge if he procures reservations, tickets, the perfect cobbler who can do work at the last minute... the little necessities you didn't think you needed. Tip the florist for delivery $3-5 depending on the size. Tip the maids at an upscale hotel ~$5 per day - but only as you are leaving and if their service was extrodinary. I tip $3/day generally. If I make special requests, extra towels etc. or the room is messy or used by more than 2 people I up it to $5. I ALWAYS tip each day because your maid might change. It would seem unfair if you have a new maid your last day who receives a windfall and the maid who did all the work received nothing. I also tip for ordinary service as maids tend to be quite low paid. The Barrista and all those people with tip jars - only if they are remarkable at their job (if they draw espresso as Michelangelo painted. Of course - don't go to a coffee shop where the barrista doesn't draw pride in his or her work.) Likewise, a contractor who does an amazing job - under budget and under schedule - I would give a bonus equal to about 10% of the original contracted amount - even if it isn't in the contract (I've only paid a bonus to a contractor once - under time and under budget is remarkable service!) Cash christmas gifts for the waste management providers, postal worker, paper delivery (if they don't leave a mess when they pick up items, if they find lost packages or deliver promptly, if the paper lands near the door - in short - if they do their jobs well) As for someone who loads something in your car - what level of work did they do? Did they rearrange your car, optimize your loading, or carry something that an ordinary person couldn't? Did they save you money or hours of time? One time I purchased a floor model on a patio chair, and the young woman working there disassembled it so that I could fit it in the trunk of my car, and not need to pay a delivery fee. If they did, then I'd tip about $5. If they just hauled mulch out and lifted it in your trunk - that is covered under their ordinary duties. In short, tipping is a way of showing someone you appriciate them. You should tip if your service is incredible, and should be in relation to the amount they have done.