How much should we tip whilst on Holiday in California?

Question

My wife and I are going on a trip touring around California and Las Vegas I am hoping to obtain some advice on tipping so that we can be suitably prepared. I have already found questions and answers here which refer to us Brits as lousy tippers, what should we know about tipping so as not to cause offence?

What is the best way to judge without tipping too little or too much? I expect meals are fairly easy to tip as a percentage of the bill but what about hotel staff like porters, parking valets and bar tenders? When tipping a valet do you give the tip when you drop-off the car, when you collect it or both?

This is to be the first time we are are driving in the US too, so is tipping expected at petrol stations and again to what amount?

Answer 1

Petrol, ie gas stations, will for the most part, be self-service. We don't tip store clerks. If you per chance have a service station with a "full-service" island and a "self-service" island, it's very nice to tip a buck if they wash the glass and check the oil after you paid your bill.

At the minimum, tip 10% for so-so service at a restaurant. If it is terribly, terribly bad, leave a message by leaving 5 cents on the table as you walk out. Wait staff at a restaurant works for less than minimum guaranteed salary. 20% is the usual offering and round up the bill. If it is $10.50, leave the 50 cents plus the $2 and they will think you're about right. If you pay by credit card, tell the wait person you will be paying at the cash register. It's always better to do that at the register with your card from your hand.

At the hotel, a $1 will do for the porter. Tip a valet when he delivers the car. $2 if he holds the door open for you.

Taxi, tip 20%. At the bar, if seated at the table, tip 50 cents to a buck per drink, especially if it's a pretty waitress. At the bar counter, throw a buck into the tip jar when the bartender observes you only occasionally. I'd never go over $2 in that situation.

Tip for shoe shine. And, I hate it, but when there's a restroom attendant, tip there even if they don't do anything.

In short, if it's like a handshake, it's a buck. If it's like a footman, $2.

Answer 2

Waitstaff should be tipped 15%-20% of the total bill before any discounts. If the service was REALLY terrible, and it's on the part of the server (instead of the kitchen or other staff) you can get away with 10%.

Generally - at petrol stations, tipping is not expected, and some can not accept them. HOWEVER, if they go out of their way for you (changing a tire or something), I'd try to slip them at least $5 - depending on what they do.

Hotel staff is a little more difficult, so I'll break down the best I can:
Porters/Bellhops - $1-$2 per bag (more if the bags are oversize or heavy)
Bartenders - $1-$2 per drink per round (more for more expensive or difficult drinks) If I'll be at the bar for any length of time, I tend to tip heavily on my first round, so I get better service for subsequent rounds.
Valet - $1-$2 each time, generally when you pick up the car.
Housekeeping: $5 a day for each day you stay, but leave it every day instead of at checkout because the same staff is not always on every day. If you leave a larger than normal mess for any mishap - leave at least $10. (I left $20 one time because I tracked in TONS of sand from the beach and it just got EVERYWHERE.) .
Restroom attendents: leave 'em a $1.

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip!

Answer 3

I SO know how you feel. I come from New Zealand where we don't tip and I went to the USA for a month. I can't guarantee this is all accurate but I'll tell you what I learnt firsthand...

With bartenders, you tip $1 per drink. They'll often give you change in dollar bills so if you don't have one, just give them one of your change. With bellhops its $1 (or $2) per bag. I never used valet but I think even people in the US argue about when you're meant to tip then? Sorry I can't help you with that one, but I did read a discussion on it not so long ago where people from the US were arguing about that one, so you're not alone with the confusion :)

I never tipped at petrol stations but I did my own gas.

Restaurants are a little more complicated then they should be...just tip 15% if you're unsure. 10% if the service is horrible, 20% if its good. Sometimes with the receipt they'll even print out what the tip would be for each percentage. If you're paying cash then its all fine, but heres something - if you're using credit card, you need to write what you're tipping on the receipt they give you. If you're tipping with cash, you need to write "cash" on the receipt under the gratuity, because if you leave it blank then someone can come by later and write a tip on and charge you for it. It may seem obvious but it was something I'd never thought of. Hope some of that helps!

Answer 4

As waiters and other service personnel are paid minimum wages, they are dependent on your tip and expect it. You can still express your level of satisfaction by tipping over or under - standard expectations are around 10 to 15% in restaurants. Bartenders expect the same - save some money by putting up a tab rather than paying for each drink.

Hotel check-in staff get nothing, porter get 2-3$ per bag or suitcase, valet parking assistants get again 10-15% at pick-up.
Filling stations these days are rare where you get serviced, I always go to the self service area to avoid tipping.

Go with your common sense - if a grumpy man waves you half hearted in the direction of your motel room - don't tip.

Have a great trip, it's a beautiful country!

Answer 5

Waitstaff should be tipped 15% of the bill, more or less depending on quality of service. Hotel porters (bellhops) should be tipped $5 plus $1 for each piece of luggage at a nice hotel. If you are staying at a first-class hotel for any length of time you may also consider leaving a tip for the maid, anywhere from $1 a night to $5 a night depending on the quality of the hotel and duration of the stay. $2 is standard for tipping a valet attendant, and should be given when picking up the car only. It is customary to tip bartenders $1 for each drink served in US cities. At petrol stations it is no longer customary to give a tip. Since most stations now offer both self-service and full, and since full-service petrol is more expensive, a tip is not required.

Please remember that the hourly pay for most of these workers is considerably lower in the US than it is in Europe. Most of them depend on tips to support themselves, and knowing this may help you resent it less. (I was just as worried about NOT tipping when I vacationed in Europe).

Answer 6

Its ridiculous to suggest tipping should be automatic anywhere. If you tip for any kind of service where is the motivation for the person to improve.

If they provide a service you are happy with give them 10% - if they provide that extra bit more consider consider 15%. if they are mediocre dont tip and tell them why - politely.

I`ve never had any problems with this approach in 33 yrs of international travel much of it in the US.

Never tip at a petrol station - its self service. Consider a tip if they offer any other help or good advice.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

15 % is the least you should tip , but most restaurants include the service charge. As for bellboys etc....... I should say $10 - $20 should be ok. Have a nice trip!

Answer 9

Dont give them anything, if they need extra money, they should do there job well and ask for a pay rise, or sell a kidney on ebay!