What is the real custom of tipping in the USA ? Like who do you tip, or not and how much?

Question

I just moved to the USA and i don't want to seem rude.
So please give me your advice .
Thank you.

I tipped the hairdresser $ 12 on a $ 82 Bill .Was that ok ?

How about the ppl in the shops that pack my groceries in the bags ?They often ppl with handicaps or older ppl . Do i tip them ?And if how much ?

Answer 1

Use 15% of your bill as the standard, and then go up or down from there according to service. People who provide an individual service for you usually get this type of tip--servers at restaurants, hairstylists, etc. Delivery people generally get a bit less--10% or so.
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I don't tip the people at the grocery store, but you can try to if you'd like to. It's not expected, and they may tell you that they can't accept tips (same thing for people working retail, etc.)

Answer 2

Pretty much anyone who does a service for you expects to be tipped, except for those for who it is illegal to accept a individual gift, like postal workers and nurses. Most Health care related people can't accept a gift. Owners of any business would not take a tip.
The old rule was 10%-15% for a waitress or waiter. A buck a bag for the grocery store kid who puts your groceries in your car, or for luggage, at the airport, or the hotel.
One days pay for a worker in your home, or child full time child care.
Hairdressers, manicurists used to get one to 2 bucks, per visit, the shampoo girl a buck.
Now I understand everyone expects 20%, whether the service is good or not.
I tip 15%, if the service at the restaurant is good. A dollar a bag, period, whether grocery, or luggage. When the employees line up for their tips, like the multiple people at the hair salon, they get 15% of the cost of their individual service.
And these days, owners pocket tips.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

A tip, or gratuity, is a small amount of money given voluntarily as a token of appreciation for a service rendered. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "tip" is also considered by many to be an acronym: T.I.P. - "To Insure Promptness" or "To Insure Prompt" service. We tip our servers as a way of thanking them for good service. We might also leave a very low tip, or no tip at all, as a signal that the service was terrible.

People working in the hospitality industry, waiting tables, tending bar, carrying luggage, etc, depend on tips from their customers to make ends meet. But, you never tip the owner of an establishment - only the employees.

I've never considered tipping to be "mandatory", but to me, it's a simple way of letting someone know that I'm happy or unhappy with their service.

Want to get an earful of arguments on both sides of the fence about tipping? Visit the forums at The Original Tipping Page. You'll see (and can join in on) many arguments about why tipping should be banned, why tipping should be mandatory, why tips shouldn't be "expected," and why owners should just pay a decent wage.

Answer 4

Generally I tip 15% unless the server was really good then I make it more.
On a 82$ haircut I would have tipped about 10-15$ but some people don't tip hairdressers at all... actually some people don't get the concept of a tip.

Answer 5

"They don't even know that it is an acronym - T.I.P.S. means To Insure Prompt Service"

It isn't an acronym. There are very few acronyms from before WWII and virtually none from the 19th century. "Tip" meaning a gratuity was first recorded in 1755. They didn't do acronyms back then.

You should move to Australia. Tipping is not required here as people get paid a decent wage. You can tip if you get very good service but there is no obligation to tip anyone - even taxi drivers.

Answer 6

Most people think that tips are an obligation. They don't even know that it is an acronym - T.I.P.S. means To Insure Prompt Service. If your service sucks, T.I.P.S. are not in order.

The other side of this coin is that most of the people who have jobs where they can receive T.I.P.S. are underpaid and taken advantage of by their employers. They need the T.I.P.S. to survive.

I never put tips in jars on the counter. They don't come out to serve me, so I don't have to insure prompt service.

I live in L.A where the tax is 8-1/4%, so I simply look at the tax and double it to come up with my tip. This amounts to a nice tip of 16-1/2%. This is just a starting point. It can be adjusted up or down depending on the service.

Answer 7

No, you're not being rude:) This is something that you need to know. Hairdressers, waitresses, bartenders, and of course, it depends on how good you think their performance was....hairdressers get paid a decent wage, waitresses and bartenders tho, don't get paid much and depend on their tips to survive in the world.....10% for mediocre service and 20% for good service. Of course too, it depends on your financial status as well.....some that are well off, when they've had really lovely service, tip more than the 20%.....:) You're very welcome

Answer 8

15 % is pretty customary....never less than 10% for sure...but seriously...if they do a lousy job...let them know by the type of tip you leave. Likewise if they do a really good job...leave more than the 15%.

Answer 9

waiters and waitresses....bout 10 to 15 % if the service is good. if the service sucks they get zilch....

barbers or beuticians...usually a few bucks

I have a policy: I don't f** with people who fix my food or my hair.
Everyone else can kiss my A$$!