Many Americans believe tipping culture is getting out of control. In the post-pandemic world, more workers expect tips, which has left some people feeling like they're forced into leaving a little extra money.
With tipping expectations more widespread, it has become difficult to get ahead financially . However, it’s important to remember that many workers rely on tips for their income.
Regardless of how you feel about it, here are the people you should absolutely tip.
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1. Restaurant servers
Most folks expect to tip in sit-down restaurants. Restaurant servers are legally allowed to make below the minimum wage in many places, with the expectation that they will make cash tips that push their take-home pay higher.
The general rule of thumb is that you should tip between 15% and 20%. Many servers are students or those starting out in life, and it’s possible your tips will help them get out of debt or start to build some savings.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Bartenders
A good rule of thumb for tipping at the bar is $1 to $2 per simple drink and $3 to $5 per drink for mixed drinks. If you end up opening a tab for the evening, it’s customary to tip 15% of your final bill to your bartender.
Bartenders who go above and beyond by being especially attentive or honoring special requests likely have earned a larger tip.
3. Delivery drivers
With the rise of grocery and food delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, you probably order takeout more often than in the past. That likely also means you're tipping delivery drivers.
With inflation and rising food costs, delivery drivers report tips being down from previous years. However, the expectation remains that you will tip between 15% and 20% of your total bill.
If you order a large amount of food or the weather is bad, consider tipping more to reward the added effort.
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4. Hotel staff
If you stay in hotels, bring along cash for tipping. At a minimum, you should be prepared to pay the bellhop $2 to $3 per bag and more for heavy bags.
Tip the housekeeper who cleans your room each day $1 to $3 per night of your stay. Because the cleaning staff rotates, you should tip the staff each day with an envelope on the desk labeled “housekeeping.”
Depending on your stay, you may encounter room service, towel delivery, concierge service, or a doorman. All of these folks deserve tips.
5. Airport staff
Curbside check-in is great for when you’re running late for your flight or just want to skip the long lines at the counter to check your bag.
For this convenience, you should be prepared to pay $5 per bag or more if you have oversized luggage or heavy bags. Think about tipping your shuttle driver $3 to $5, especially if the driver helps you with your bags.
6. Beauty salon staff
Tipping at salons is a longstanding tradition. It’s actually considered bad etiquette not to tip your stylist or barber for services.
Tipping between 15% and 20% is standard, but consider more for special services. This tipping standard also extends to other beauty professionals, such as estheticians, nail technicians, and massage therapists.
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Uber, Lyft, and taxi services all fall under the transportation umbrella. You should plan to tip when using these services.
Tips for transportation services are typically 15-20% of your total. If you’re using an app, there is often a suggested tip listed for you already.
Also, add more than usual if the driver is picking you up during bad weather or rush hour.
8. Tattoo artists
Just like other talented service providers, it’s polite to tip your tattoo artist. Typically, you'll visit a specific tattoo artist because you appreciate their style and artistry. Tipping them is a sign of your gratitude.
A tip of 15% to 20% of the cost of your tattoo is a good place to start.
9. Mail carriers
If you've lived at the same address for a while or are looking to spread some gratitude for the delivery of your mail, it’s OK to thank your mail carrier with a small token of appreciation.
However, be aware that government employees cannot accept gifts exceeding $20 per occasion and $50 for the calendar year. So, stay under that limit.
In addition, the U.S. Postal Service says carriers are prohibited from accepting “cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash.” So, give a gift instead.
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10. House cleaners
If the same person regularly cleans your home and does a good job, a 10% to 20% tip is customary. If you have a cleaning team, a flat rate of $5 to $15 per person is suggested.
Other people prefer to give a larger, one-time tip around the holidays. This might be equivalent to the rate you would pay for a single cleaning.
11. Valets
There are some conflicting ideas about when you should tip a valet. Some tip at the beginning after you give them the keys, and others wait until they pick up the car.
Whatever you decide, you should tip your parking attendant $2 to $5 to park and/or retrieve your vehicle.
12. Baristas
While baristas are often paid more than waitstaff, they likely aren't making much more than minimum wage. Even though the etiquette guide says it’s optional, you may want to be generous about tipping your barista.
That is especially true if you are a regular or order complicated drinks. If you want to leave a tip, $1 per drink is well-received by baristas, but adding the extra change to your order is also fine.
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Bottom line
Tipping isn’t mandatory in most places, but generosity is almost always well-received. Many workers struggle to stop living paycheck to paycheck in today’s climate of inflation, and tips can make a big difference to their bottom line.
So, remember to factor in the cost of tipping when going out to eat, booking a trip, or scheduling a service. Try to be generous to those who are serving you.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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