How To Know How Much To Tip in Restaurants and Bars

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Don't get indigestion trying to figure out who to tip the next time you dine out. Rely on these guidelines from etiquette experts.

To complete this How-To you will need:

General tipping guidelines
Your own judgment

Step 1: Know the general rule

Remember that tipping is voluntary --you are under no obligation to reward bad service. On the other hand, don't forget that many workers rely on tips to supplement low hourly wages, so don't stiff someone for no reason.

Step 2: Take care of your server

Tip your server 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax -- less if your service was unsatisfactory. If a sommelier helped you choose wine, tip them 10 percent of the cost of the wine or $20, whichever is less. No need to tip at a buffet unless a server brought you something, in which case 10 percent of the bill is sufficient.

Tip: Don't penalize your server for problems with your meal caused by the kitchen. Voice your concerns to the restaurant manager instead.

Step 3: Don't try to bribe the maitre d' in the hopes of getting a table without a reservation or cutting the line; it's considered bad manners, especially if you're obvious about it. But you can slip them a little something to try to ensure good service. And it's perfectly fine to reward the host with a $10 or $20 "green handshake" on your way out.

Tip: The trick to greasing a palm is to pass a folded bill, with the denomination visible, out of the sight of other patrons.

Step 4: Tip the attendants

Give $1 per coat to the coatroom attendant unless there's a fee, in which case there's no need to tip. Tip the restroom attendant at least 50 cents for each visit.

Step 5: Take care of your bartender

If in a bar, tip the bartender or cocktail server $1 per drink or 15 percent of the tab, whichever is less. Tip a bit more if the bartender had to make drinks involving blenders or shakers. And tip even if it's an open bar.

Step 6: When in Rome...

When traveling outside the U.S., check what is customary before dining out. Some countries automatically add a service charge to restaurant bills; others expect far less than the 15 to 20 percent that is the norm in the U.S. And in a few places, like Japan, a tip is downright insulting!

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HotHowTos
• etiquette
• tipping
• money
• giving
• proper
• waiters
• waitresses
• restaurant
• Bars

[youshutyourmouth]

you dont have to tip in Australia :)

[felixcruzazul]

wtf 20 dollars for wine serving fuck that just give me a corona

[jayja45]

10% for uk

[torontothegood]

'tip less if service is unsatisfactory'??? What da fuck?? why tip anything at all. muthafuckers!

[torontothegood]

i don't fuckin' tip. never have. never will.

[EurekaTrustson42]

@fosterslover I removed it.

[fosterslover]

@EurekaTrustson42

If you have some complaint about your food, take it up with the cook, not your well-meaning server. You have to understand that most waiters/waitresses don't get payed an hourly minimum wage because they're expected to cover the difference in tips. You don't have to reward bad service, but by not tipping at all, you're denying some hard-working people a livable wage. Sorry for the belated reply, but it annoyed me that this was voted the top comment.

[EurekaTrustson42]

@fosterslover Please, if you think people not paying spare change for tips are considered human scum, then you have not seen the true ugly side of humanity. I don't live in such romantic locations such as France where the food is worth paying the extra dollar, unlike America, where the food is disgusting, not to mention the service. Do not fear, I do pay my tips from time to time when I feel it is necessary. Do understand that the comment you replied is two years old, I was a bit immature then.

[fosterslover]

@EurekaTrustson42

If you like being viewed as human scum

[ewanfraser]

@Tihbialdunav

No, that's not the customers problem. That's something the server will have to live with. Credit cards are convenient. Look I'm not saying don't tip. I worked in restaurants for years in the US and in Ireland and Scotland. I know what its like to serve and we waited on. Look at yourself insisting on 20% tip and in cash. Its unreasonable. If you are a waiter, put yourself in the shoes of the customer. That will make you a better waiter.

[Tihbialdunav]

@ewanfraser , since you are giving advice here, you should know a credit card tip often doesn't reach the server. Many restaurant owners withhold apercentage of it, and so does the government. Always tip in cash.

[ewanfraser]

@Tihbialdunav Just cause you (and many people in the service industry) say it is doesnt make it so. Its a blatant ploy to make people feel bad for not tipping more. 15% is not only standard. It is reasonable. I often tip 20% for excellent service. But a routine transaction for service is, and has always been 15%