What is the etiquette for tipping in New York? Who do I tip, how much and how often?

Question

I'm flying in from London this week.

Answer 1

Will you ever see them again? If you don't tip a taxi driver, expect to get verbally assaulted. If you feel a meal was terrible, or service was rubbish, tip 1 cent (it's an insult).

Otherwise, 10-15% for service staff (waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers, etc), possibly 15-20% if you're generous. I usually leave $1 for the first drink at a bar, then another $1 every 2-3 drinks (if I'm only buying drinks singly). Housekeeping... maybe a couple of dollars for a few nights but I rarely bother.

The US is a tipping culture. Everybody expects tips. Some professions even get taxed based on what tips they expect to earn. So Yanks tip overly generously.

But whatever you do, the golden rule is to only tip for ABOVE AVERAGE service. Don't tip for the sake of it.

Answer 2

EVERYONE in NYC expects a tip!
Doormen will get you in faster if you slide them cash, usually a 20, 50 if it's really crowded. 20% for food servers, bellmen a few dollars up depending on what they do for you- food delevery 2 or 3 dollars, unless you have a large amount of food, or order from a really expensive place, then more.
Cab drivers a buck or two
If you are drinking at a bar, I usually tip 5 bucks on the first drink and a dollar a drink...I never have an empty glass, so it works!
And when they give me a "house"drink, (free drink) I alway drop another 5 down.
Tippers always get the best service..but don't be obnoxious about it, just slide it down and smile at them..they work for peanuts here, and work hard to make sure you have a good time!

Answer 3

A note of caution for tipping cab drivers on a percentage basis - don't try and figure out the change and pay them in dimes and nickels! I haven't gotten actual coin change back from a cab driver in years. Always round up/down to the nearest dollar.

For most rides, if say the total is $8.50 then I would just give ten dollars. If it was $6.30, I would give $8.00.

That doesn't always work out percentage wise, but it does make tipping much easier.

If you go on a longer ride and the metered fare is over $15, then I would follow the same rule but start with $2.

I hope that makes sense!

And I rarely tip below 15% in restaurants. Or you can double the tax! Try and leave cash tips whenever possible, not on your charge card. If something is really wrong with the meal/service, feel free to speak up after your meal.

Answer 4

I live here. This is how it is -

Rule #1 - tip your bartender, and tip him (her) very well. After all, you'll be sitting there for a while and if you expect to get another drink, tip well. (If they like you you may even get a buy back). And never tip a bartender anything less than $2 no matter how much the drink was.

As for the rest -

Doormen - unless you're staying there, forget them
Taxi drivers - round up to whatever you have. they get paid enough. 10% or so is more than generous.
Waiters - 15% is the rule, but for exceptional service and/or in a nice place 20% is more common.
Maitre'd - Never tipped one in my life.
The guys standing outside Starbucks or the cash machine - nothing.

Answer 5

20% if the overall etiquette for tipping in a restaurant if the service is good....don't include tax of course........if service is poor adjust your tip accordingly;
$1 per drink still applies;
If staying in a hotel for 3 to 5 days you can leave a tip for the housekeepers in an envelope at the end of your stay....about $20....maybe and avg of 3 to 4 dollars a day....they deserve it;
Cab drivers are a different story......if they find you are from out of town they will drive you around too much so play it cool and act like you live there even with your British accent....don't ask them for directions....ask for directions before u get into a NYC cab....tip 1 or 2 dollars...they always overcharge anyway! Enjoy! A great town!

Answer 6

Tip 20% for good service at restaurants and 15% for average service. Never tip less than 10% unless you have an argument with the staff.

Tip taxi drivers 15-20% always.

Tip at least $1 per drink at a bar and $2 per drink at a nice bar.

If someone carries your bags at a hotel, they should get $2 per bag.

Housekeeping should get a few dollars per day.

Those are pretty standard rates. Don't give much less unless service is poor (especially in a bar if you want to get another drink in a timely fashion). Most of the people you tip need tips to survive. Although it may seem silly, giving a bartender a dollar to open a bottle of beer may be helping them finance their education. Tipping does what our government doesn't.

Answer 7

Tip your cab drivers! usually 15%-20%.
Waitresses same 15%-20%
Bartenders usually $1 or $2 if you only have a drink or 2, then do the 10%-15% if you have a tab.
Bag handlers $2 or so.
Tour guides $1-$5

Answer 8

interior the u . s . a ., specific professions (mutually with waiters) are grossly underpaid by way of using earnings (for waiters that's often 2.50 USD/hr). many of the earnings is expected to come again from the top, that's now between 15-20% of the bill finished. In different worldwide places, exceptionally eu ones, waiters are paid a residing salary which could meet uncomplicated residing circumstances and the fee of the salary is exceeded right down to the shopper as a pre-blanketed fee (mutually with pricing dishes in a cafe some euros larger). interior the U. S., waiters make in easy terms as much as you provide them because of the fact the fee on the bill does no longer incorporate the fee of provider (ie waiter's salary). wish this facilitates. -M

Answer 9

well if you are from london. it should make you tip more because new york will be sooooo cheap for you, with the exchange rate and all.

if a taxi cost under $10, then tip $1.00. if the taxi cost $15-20, then tip $3.00.

in the restaurant, it is easiest to double the amount of tax.

for example, the tax is $4.00, tip them $8.00

at a bar, tip $1.00 per 2 drinks.

tip the bellboy at the hotel $1.00 for 1 or 2 bags. if he helps you with your bags to the room. if you have over 3 bags, gthen tip $2.00.

PLEASE take a taxi to your hotel. DO NOT take any regular cars to your hotel, because they will SMELL that you are a tourist and try to charge you extra money...............