Tipping in USA - Whats is expected?

Question

Am travelling to LA and Las Vegas in October, and do not know when a tip is expected and also how much would be the expected amount??
Can anyone give me any guidelines?

Answer 1

Tipping American Style 101

Food:
Fast food like McDonalds, Burger King.... No tipping required.

Delivered food or room service - 20% or $2.00 which ever is greater.

Buffets, where the drinks are served, but you get your own food - $1.00 per person

Sit down restaurant - Nothing for bad service and ask for the manager, 10% for poor service, 15% for O.K. service and 20% for good service. If they are the best you ever had and do a something special you can go higher.

Other services:
Skycap - $1.00 each small bags, $2.00 for large, a bit extra if the do something extra like cut in line for cab, or make anything else go smooth

Bellhop - same as skycap

Cab driver - anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 depending on fare and if he did anything extra. Some drivers will offer you some great tips of places to go and more important places not to go.

Hair styler - Depending on what you have done. Man's simple hair cut a couple of dollars, ladies cut & dry a bit more, full treatment $5.00 to $10.00

While some folks don't tip the maid in the hotel, trust me it's money well spent!!! Two dollars a day, will raise the service level big time! Need a little extra shampoo, you won't have to ask twice.

General rule of thumb, anyone who provides a service gets tipped (excluding airline employees, police, fire and medical).

While it is not required you tip, if you don't you are personally hurting that person's ability to make a living. Service jobs are paid at a lower scale, the tips are considered part of the wages.

What does, is encourage good service. Bad service hits the person where it counts.. in the pocketbook.

Answer 2

It's usually recommended to tip your server between 15 and 20 percent at restaurants. Other people who provide personal services (cab driver, bellhop at the hotel, etc.) are usually tipped, as well. The word 'tip' was originally an acronym, standing for 'To Insure Promptness.' If your server or service provider has done an excellent job, let them know with a great tip! If not, leave a more modest tip. Most people in such positions depend on tips as a major portion of their pay.

Answer 3

On top of what the others said, when you are in the casino, tip 10% of your winnings. If you cash out at the cage, tip 10% to the cashier. Everyone lives on tips in Vegas. Cocktail waitresses are bringing you free drinks, so always tip her. At the slot machines and tables under $1 a hand or pull, tip a dollar for drinks. High limits deserve higher tips. The better you tip, the better service you will get...faster drinks, top shelf liquer etc.

No matter what service you are tipping, the more you tip, the better service you will get. Bellhops will remember you or tell others and you will get faster service. Just dont go throw money around. If it is waranted, tip what you think is appropriate based on service, time it takes to receive your food or drinks, their apperance (not looks), and attitude.

Answer 4

A good tip is 15% of the total bill (before tax)
A great tip is 20%
Big spender in Vegas? -- Then it's 25% and over!

P.S. The history of the word "tip" comes from Britain and means "to insure promptness" which was very important when you are in the pub and waiting for a pint.

Answer 5

Generally, when you go to a sit down restaurant you are expected to give a tip. The customary tip is 15% of the total bill. 10% if you get bad service. 20% if you get exceptional service.

Answer 6

Now, while eating out I'd suggest ten to fifteen percent of the check, that's usually what is expected. As for the bell boy, five dollars is acceptable. A valie, you don't have to, but five dollars is acceptable as well. At a very classie bar I'd suggest a dollar for every two drinks, at a normal, or average bar, a dollar for every four drinks. This is how I go by it and I don't even get to visit the large cities.

Answer 7

Here's a few guides about tipping in Vegas: http://govegas.about.com/od/atozinde4/f/basictipping.htm
http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/stay/planning-information/basics.jsp?page=money-and-tipping
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Nevada/Las_Vegas-836630/Local_Customs-Las_Vegas-Tipping_Money_Matters-BR-1.html
http://gamblingmagazine.com/managecategory.asp?c=560&n=123

And here's a GREAT site that pretty much covers tipping anyone anywhere for anything!
http://www.tipping.org/
(You have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for the forums and stuff as they are remodeling!! )

PS: Can you pack me in your suitcase and take me with? Sounds like a blast!!!!!

Answer 8

The tip should be at least 15% of the total cost of service.

Answer 9

15% standard - which is a range of 10% for not-so-good service to 20% for great service. Applies to all service industries.

Answer 10

Can I be the 30th person to repeat 10 to 15%.