To Tip or Not To Tip: That should NEVER be a question

Okay, I get it. We are all college students on a budget. We all love a great deal, a cheap meal and any leftover cash is going to be spent at the bar thank you very much. But, my fellow students, as a server I have realized that many of you are just clueless about tipping. And without your tips, I won’t have money to spend at the bar either.

By Jill

Maybe it’s how you were raised or maybe you are just cheap. But if you are going to walk into any place that is offering you a service of some sort, be prepared to spend a few more bucks on the person waiting on you. If you are going out to a “splurge” restaurant- be prepared that the tip is going to be an extra chunk added on to the bill. Want the $30 dollar steak but don’t feel like tipping on it? Then please, that’s what Burger King and Denny’s are for.

In lieu of cheap tippers that I as well as other friends of mine in the service industry have come across–here are some of the guidelines when it comes to tipping. Click here For a full list of tipping etiquette for every service imaginable (and I mean everything).

Restaurants/Bars

Servers: 15-20% or more if the service is fabulous. Many people don’t realize that servers don’t make minimum wage. They make there salary in tips. If you are with a large group or are being extra picky then you should tip on the higher end of the spectrum since your server is accommodating your every whim.

Side note: if you had a bad dining experience, remember it’s not always the server’s fault. Always ask to speak to the manager rather than skipping out on the tip.

Bartenders: 10-15% depending on how difficult the drink is to make. Example: Corona-Not as time consuming as a Long Island Ice Tea which has many different kinds of liquor (thank god for that) and will take the bartender much longer to make.

Takeout: A couple of bucks on the order is fine, unless the person packaging up your food goes above and beyond- then give a bit more.

Late night munchies/Delivery Guy: These are the guys we love. The angels who bring us the grub when everything else is closed. If you are coherent enough to actually place the order, then being too drunk to remember to tip is NOT an excuse. 15% is customary but never less than $2.

Hair Salons

Hair Stylist/Colorist: 10-20%. $3-5 extra for last-minute service.

Shampoo or other assistant: $2-5 for each person. Hand the tip directly to the person providing the service.

Manicure or Facial: 15%

Airport

Porter or skycap: $2 per bag or more if the bags are heavy. If you arrive late and he helps you get to your flight on time (or in my case waves the overweight baggage fee) tip an extra $5-20.

Hotels

Doorman: – If he hails you a cab, $1-2

Bellman: If he schleps your bags, then tip $1-2 per bag. Give him the tip when he shows you your room. If he just carries the bags to the front desk and then disappears, save it for the person who carries the bags to your room. Upon checkout, tip whomever helps with your bags

Concierge: $5-10 for help with hard-to-get dinner reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for just plain advice.

Maid Service: I don’t know why but for some reason, many of my friends don’t think this is necessary. Uh hello, they are cleaning up all your crap! (and lord knows you left the contents of your 75lb bag all over the room). $1-5 per day typically, up to $10 per day depending upon how much mess you make. Tip daily because there might be a different maid each day. Leave the tip on your pillow. Err… on the side of being generous, and tip on the last day also

So there you have it. Next time you are getting your hair did for formal or are out to dinner with your gals sucking down diet cokes, you are now fully aware on how to tip properly. Now go ahead, make me proud!