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| The Family Reunion Tipping Guide |
Who and How Much… Gratuity Etiquette
Gratuity began as a purely complimentary practice but has evolved into an expected one, with many
nuances among the varying professions. Unless you have worked in certain service professions, it
would be difficult to know the standards of tipping in each industry.
It is customary to tip a variety of professionals who service your reunion needs. To feel comfortable
with your family reunion gratuity etiquette, use this as your ultimate tipping guide.
Gratuity began as an optional bonus, but nowadays it’s standard practice to tip all kinds of service
professionals, such as your waiter, taxi driver, and many others. Knowing how much to tip can be
tricky since gratuity guidelines vary among professions, not to mention there are several schools of
thought on the practice of tipping.
Members of older generations, such as your grandparents, may oppose it all together, expecting
service at a flat rate. And some will tell you not to let Grandma’s antiquated tipping standards
dictate your etiquette. However, if Grandma tells you to tip according to the service you get, do
follow this wise advice.
However, times have changed, and there some professionals who expect a tip on top of payment.
The amount of gratuity depends on the type and quality of service provided, though it is usually a
percentage of the bill’s total.
Tipping While Traveling
After hopping out of a taxi, limo or shuttle, it is common practice to tip 15% of the total fare. If the
driver spends more than a few minutes loading or unloading your bags or helping you in or out of
the car, a 20% tip is appropriate.
Tipping continues at the airport, so keep your small bills handy. Tip $1 for each heavy bag the
skycap checks in addition to the normal fee. If hitching a ride through the terminals on an electric
cart, tip the driver $2 per person.
It is never necessary to tip your flight attendant
Tipping at the Hotel
When arriving at your hotel, you may leave your car with the valet without giving a gratuity.
However, when the car is returned to you, tipping a couple of dollars is appropriate. If a doorman
transports your luggage from your car to the hotel lobby, $1 a bag is an acceptable tip. Double the
amount if the doorman carries the bags to your room. And a $2 tip is warranted if he hails a cab.
Bellboys are accustomed to the same tipping standards.
Many hotels offer concierge, in-room dining and spa services. When requesting dinner reservations,
event tickets, or general advice … expect to tip your concierge anywhere from $2 to $5. Gratuity for
room service and spa treatments are sometimes automatically added to the bill, so inquire
beforehand about the hotel’s billing practices. If gratuities are not included, it is customary for
room and spa attendants to receive a 15% to 20% tip. Maid service tips can vary from $1 to $5 a
day, depending on the mess created in the room.
Tipping Your Server
The customary tip for food servers, cocktail servers and bartenders runs between 15% and 20% of
the total bill. A server who keeps you waiting or gets your order wrong may dissuade you from
tipping within the standard range – or at all. But if you encounter poor service at a restaurant, ask
to speak to the manager. They usually offer disgruntled diners an apology or a complimentary
dessert, which may convince you to tip kindly.
However, if you still feel offended by the poor service, some will say don’t withhold gratuity
completely; instead, shave a few dollars off the tip amount. Tipping your server despite the poor
service will not only win you a few good karma points, it could also ensure you’re treated better the
next time you return. However, if your server has a bad attitude and you feel poor service is the
norm or deliberate, do not tip. To reward poor service with a tip is saying it’s ok to be rude not
care about your customers. At the end of the day, only those servers with a good attitude should be
rewarded with generous tips.
Some less common restaurant positions also depend on tips. Tip your buffet server 10% if any
drinks or silverware are delivered to the table. When picking up restaurant food to go, tip 10% to
the person who packaged your food (usually the bartender) if there were extended courtesies. If you
have restaurant food delivered, extend a 10% tip to the driver. No tip is required for a restaurant
host/hostess unless you ask him or her to take extra measures to secure you a table.
Tipping Other Professionals
Do not feel obligated to give gratuity just because there is a tip jar by the register. Remember:
Tipping is designed for service-oriented occupations. Don’t feel obligated to give gratuity if the
service requires little effort or attention from the worker. Still unsure about whom to tip and how
much… use this guide.
Barista: $1
Restroom attendant: $1
Coat check attendant: $1
Shoe shiner: $2
Shampoo or other styling assistant: $2 to $5
Car washer: $2 to $3 for a Car and
$3 to $5 for an SUV or Truck
Tire changer: $4 to $5
Emergency locksmith: $5
Tow truck driver: $5
Hair Stylist or color specialist: 10% to 20%
Car detailer: 15%
Manicurist, Facialist 15%
Pet Groomer: 15%
Pet Stter: 15%
Massage Therapist: 20%
Facing the public is no easy task, and unlike non-service jobs, service professionals must be cheery
and accommodating at all times. When you are provided with excellent service, don’t hesitate to tip
over the maximum guideline. But when you are faced with poor service, your tip amount should
still make you feel good about yourself and leave the impression that you are a good customer or
patron to those who serve your Family Reunion needs.
Click here for www.FamilyTreeCharts.com
Gratuity began as a purely complimentary practice but has evolved into an expected one, with many
nuances among the varying professions. Unless you have worked in certain service professions, it
would be difficult to know the standards of tipping in each industry.
It is customary to tip a variety of professionals who service your reunion needs. To feel comfortable
with your family reunion gratuity etiquette, use this as your ultimate tipping guide.
Gratuity began as an optional bonus, but nowadays it’s standard practice to tip all kinds of service
professionals, such as your waiter, taxi driver, and many others. Knowing how much to tip can be
tricky since gratuity guidelines vary among professions, not to mention there are several schools of
thought on the practice of tipping.
Members of older generations, such as your grandparents, may oppose it all together, expecting
service at a flat rate. And some will tell you not to let Grandma’s antiquated tipping standards
dictate your etiquette. However, if Grandma tells you to tip according to the service you get, do
follow this wise advice.
However, times have changed, and there some professionals who expect a tip on top of payment.
The amount of gratuity depends on the type and quality of service provided, though it is usually a
percentage of the bill’s total.
Tipping While Traveling
After hopping out of a taxi, limo or shuttle, it is common practice to tip 15% of the total fare. If the
driver spends more than a few minutes loading or unloading your bags or helping you in or out of
the car, a 20% tip is appropriate.
Tipping continues at the airport, so keep your small bills handy. Tip $1 for each heavy bag the
skycap checks in addition to the normal fee. If hitching a ride through the terminals on an electric
cart, tip the driver $2 per person.
It is never necessary to tip your flight attendant
Tipping at the Hotel
When arriving at your hotel, you may leave your car with the valet without giving a gratuity.
However, when the car is returned to you, tipping a couple of dollars is appropriate. If a doorman
transports your luggage from your car to the hotel lobby, $1 a bag is an acceptable tip. Double the
amount if the doorman carries the bags to your room. And a $2 tip is warranted if he hails a cab.
Bellboys are accustomed to the same tipping standards.
Many hotels offer concierge, in-room dining and spa services. When requesting dinner reservations,
event tickets, or general advice … expect to tip your concierge anywhere from $2 to $5. Gratuity for
room service and spa treatments are sometimes automatically added to the bill, so inquire
beforehand about the hotel’s billing practices. If gratuities are not included, it is customary for
room and spa attendants to receive a 15% to 20% tip. Maid service tips can vary from $1 to $5 a
day, depending on the mess created in the room.
Tipping Your Server
The customary tip for food servers, cocktail servers and bartenders runs between 15% and 20% of
the total bill. A server who keeps you waiting or gets your order wrong may dissuade you from
tipping within the standard range – or at all. But if you encounter poor service at a restaurant, ask
to speak to the manager. They usually offer disgruntled diners an apology or a complimentary
dessert, which may convince you to tip kindly.
However, if you still feel offended by the poor service, some will say don’t withhold gratuity
completely; instead, shave a few dollars off the tip amount. Tipping your server despite the poor
service will not only win you a few good karma points, it could also ensure you’re treated better the
next time you return. However, if your server has a bad attitude and you feel poor service is the
norm or deliberate, do not tip. To reward poor service with a tip is saying it’s ok to be rude not
care about your customers. At the end of the day, only those servers with a good attitude should be
rewarded with generous tips.
Some less common restaurant positions also depend on tips. Tip your buffet server 10% if any
drinks or silverware are delivered to the table. When picking up restaurant food to go, tip 10% to
the person who packaged your food (usually the bartender) if there were extended courtesies. If you
have restaurant food delivered, extend a 10% tip to the driver. No tip is required for a restaurant
host/hostess unless you ask him or her to take extra measures to secure you a table.
Tipping Other Professionals
Do not feel obligated to give gratuity just because there is a tip jar by the register. Remember:
Tipping is designed for service-oriented occupations. Don’t feel obligated to give gratuity if the
service requires little effort or attention from the worker. Still unsure about whom to tip and how
much… use this guide.
Barista: $1
Restroom attendant: $1
Coat check attendant: $1
Shoe shiner: $2
Shampoo or other styling assistant: $2 to $5
Car washer: $2 to $3 for a Car and
$3 to $5 for an SUV or Truck
Tire changer: $4 to $5
Emergency locksmith: $5
Tow truck driver: $5
Hair Stylist or color specialist: 10% to 20%
Car detailer: 15%
Manicurist, Facialist 15%
Pet Groomer: 15%
Pet Stter: 15%
Massage Therapist: 20%
Facing the public is no easy task, and unlike non-service jobs, service professionals must be cheery
and accommodating at all times. When you are provided with excellent service, don’t hesitate to tip
over the maximum guideline. But when you are faced with poor service, your tip amount should
still make you feel good about yourself and leave the impression that you are a good customer or
patron to those who serve your Family Reunion needs.
Click here for www.FamilyTreeCharts.com