In today’s world, it can feel like everything and everyone is gunning for your hard-earned cash (thanks a lot, inflation). Grabbing a snack at the gas station? Expect to tip the employee just for spinning the iPad around. Ordering a coffee to go? Yup, you’ll be greeted with the dreaded 15% or 20% tip option on the screen — and the money probably isn’t even going to the barista that actually made your drink.
When it comes to tipping, some nuance is required. Many service workers — including hairdressers, drivers, and servers — rely on tips as a significant part of their income. That said, it’s not always necessary to tip for everything — especially if no tangible service was provided.
With tipping customs varying greatly around the globe (you generally don’t tip servers in Europe, for example), it can take some finesse to figure out just how much you should be tipping in the U.S. We’ve got you covered with all the details.
1. Restaurant Servers
Servers often have to rely heavily on tips, as their base wage can be quite low. For sit-down dining, tipping 15-20% of the total bill before taxes is standard practice. If you feel like the service was exceptional, you can always tip more. But generally, tipping 18% is considered pretty generous. For buffet settings, 10% is usually a fair amount.
2. Hairdressers and Barbers
Tipping your hairdresser or barber is a way to show appreciation for their skill and attention to detail. Generally, a tip of 15-20% is standard, but this will also depend on the quality of service and the complexity of your hairstyle. If multiple people attended to you, such as a colorist and a washer, consider dividing the tip among them.
3. Food Delivery Drivers
Delivery couriers for services like Doordash and Grubhub often use their own vehicles and have to cover expenses like gas and car maintenance. A tip of 10-15% of the bill is standard — with a minimum of $2-$5 — especially under challenging conditions like bad weather or difficult-to-navigate locations.
Related: What Is the Cheapest Food Delivery App?
4. Bartenders
Tipping your bartender not only acknowledges their service but also their skill in making drinks. A common practice is $1-2 per drink, or 15-20% of the total tab. If your bartender provides exceptional service or concocts a particularly complex drink, tipping on the higher end is always appreciated.
Related: Costco Superfans Reveal Their Favorite Kirkland Brand Liquor
5. Taxi or Ride-Share Drivers
For taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, a tip of 10-15% of the fare is customary. Consider tipping more for drivers who help with luggage, provide an exceptionally smooth ride, or navigate through traffic efficiently. If you aren’t able to tip, consider leaving your driver a 5-star review, as this can help with their ratings and overall ranking.
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6. Hotel Staff
This includes various roles like housekeeping and bellhops. For housekeeping, $2-5 per day is appreciated, and for bellhops, $1-2 per bag is customary. For concierge services, if they go above and beyond (like securing hard-to-get reservations at a popular restaurant or helping you snag tickets for “Hamilton”), a tip of $5-20 can be a nice gesture and will definitely be appreciated.
Related: Enchanting Historic Hotels in Every State
7. Coffee Shop Baristas
While tipping baristas is not mandatory, dropping some spare change or a few dollars into the tip jar is a kind gesture — especially for baristas who remember your regular order or craft a particularly elaborate beverage. That said, you aren’t expected to tip baristas, so don’t feel pressured to do so every time.
Related: 5 Things You Should Never Order At Starbucks
8. Spa and Massage Therapists
For services like massages, facials, or other spa treatments, a tip of 15-20% is standard. This acknowledges the therapist’s skill and the level of personal care involved. The same goes for tattoo shops and other industries where a service is provided by a skilled specialist.
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9. When Picking Up Take-Out
If you’re picking up a takeout order from a restaurant and no extra service, like table service, is provided, tipping is not required. I repeat, NOT required. So the next time you’re picking up food at a restaurant and the employee does nothing but hand you the order, don’t feel bad about not leaving a tip.
10. Fast-Food Restaurants
At fast-food counters like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, or Chipotle where you order and pick up your food at the counter, tipping is not required. The same goes for self-service establishments, including cafeterias or buffet restaurants, where you do the work yourself. While tipping is not expected at these spots, you can always leave a few bucks in the tip jar to show your appreciation.
11. Professional Services
For services provided by professionals like doctors, dentists, lawyers, or accountants, tipping is not standard practice. Can you imagine sliding a $20 bill across the table to tip your lawyer? You’d probably get in more trouble than anything else.
12. Retail Workers
In most retail environments, such as clothing and grocery stores, electronics shops, gas stations, or bookstores, tipping is not expected. Retail employees typically receive a regular wage for their services, and the retail industry does not generally operate on a tipping model.
