How much is the standard tip? I thought 15% but I have read 20%. Which is it? Has it changed?

Question

How much should I tip for a standard tip? I know excellent service gets a generous tip but how much for just regular service?

Answer 1

15% is acceptable. However, 20% is standard. Service industry people are overworked and underpaid. An extra 5% is really not going to make you broke and if it does, you probably can't afford to dine out. Besides, it's easier to do the math quickly in your head if you want to calculate the tip quickly if you base it on 20%. I know it is hard to justify a 20% tip if you are not totally pleased with the service, but, just to be classy, leave the $20 and let the manager know that you were disappointed by the service. If you do that, you are sure to have a better experience the next time.

Answer 2

The IRS assumes as a lowest benchmark a minimum average tip rate of 8% for income reporting purposes. The standard minimum tip rate of 8% is in practice adjusted by the IRS in accordance with local demographics and statistics. This seems to imply that about half the people tip 0% and half tip at 15%, at least as far as the IRS is concerned.

I do not subscribe to this thought process that it's become more common to tip at 20%. It's a percentage - as the cost of everything goes up, the dollar value of the tip percentage goes up. Deal with it.

I typically tip at 15% (not including the meal tax). I'll round up or down as I think appropriate. For an average meal in a suburban area, a buck or so in either direction isn't a big deal. Extremely rarely I tip less than 15%, and I figure that's just good corrective feedback for the waitstaff in question. Sometimes I tip up near 20%, either because the service was great, the person just came across as very personable and nice, or because it was an insignificant rounding up to do so.

Answer 3

15% is still the rule of thumb, but it's becoming more of a minimum expected. I do 15% if I was basically okay with the service, but if I really liked the service - if the staff was especially helpful, etc, then I tip 20%. I do know people who always do 20% unless they were pissed off, and then they'll only do 15%.

On a really small bill (like at a cafe, etc), I'll almost always do 20%, because 15% is often such a tiny amount that it's embarrassing.

Answer 4

Standard tip is 15%. If service is exceptional, then 20% and up.

Answer 5

According to etiquette websites, 15% is the bottom line and you go up from there, depending on the service--the better the service, the higher the percentage. If the service was bad enough to go down less than 15%, you should be speaking to the manager about the less-than-ideal service. I have noticed, too, that the nicer you are to your server during the service (please and thank you and all those simple, respectful pleasantries) garner you far better service than the expected tip...when I treat servers as humans and not as "lowly servants", they EARN that tip and, of course, I over-tip them. But I never over-tip them in order to treat them like garbage--I have seen that, too...it is actually sad that there ARE books and websites telling us how much to tip when our consciences should be guiding us on such matters...sorry about rambling on, but your question touched a nerve...

Answer 6

i'm white. Race does no longer impact me as quickly as I be certain to tip. I made my very own rule of tipping 25% of the entire invoice. as an occasion, on a $12 invoice i'd tip $3. I used to artwork in the eating place marketplace and that i understand waiters and waitresses earn a meager hourly fee -- with something of their earnings derived from tips. I understand the job isn't common. i understand a tip isn't required. however the reasoning why I tip is twofold. First, it particularly is a sturdy thank you to declare thank you for solid provider. Secondly, once you're remembered as a solid tipper and you dine on a similar eating place normally, the staff would be extra in all hazard to furnish you above normally happening provider upon your return. i'm uncertain why maximum human beings do no longer tip. In some eating places it particularly is added into the invoice until eventually now you pay for huge events.

Answer 7

It use to be 10%.. now it is 15%. Who raised it? Probably the servers... When I served I simply did the best I could and was happy with anything. NOW servers need us to supplement their income and I refuse to do so.

I chose to work for that little money and did not expect tips to make or break my life. I depended upon ME, not my tips. I guess now servers feel different. Now I choose to HAVE money rather than spend it.... something others could do as well if they simply CHOSE to.

I have heard that tipping is 20% now . I just give what I want and don't pay attention to %'s. I am a coin/currency collector and usually give some collector coins as part of the tips.

Answer 8

15% is standard....though if it's someone you've known for years (Barber, etc) then 15% would be an insult. Tip well and people will return the favor.

Answer 9

20% for good service. Drop it if the service is poor.

Answer 10

15% if it's average, 20% if it's great.