Tipping

[Dan's Brain]

This is the mainly aimed at the Americans in the audience here. Anyone here from the U.S.A.? I can't hear you!

Enough of that crap.

Anyways, for those of you unaware of my recent good fortune, I won a trip to Los Angeles from a bottle of coke. Thankyou, yes. This will be my first time leaving Australia, and that is all very exciting for me and for you as well, I'm sure. One of the major differences between our two cultures is the concept of tipping people in the service industries. We sort of do have tipping here, but nobody really expects to be tipped. It's usually limited to letting the pizza delivery guy keep your change, because you can't be fucked holding onto the extra shrapnel.

But is there a certain etiquette attached to tipping in the U.S.? For instance, I've heard people on TV saying that you're supposed to tip a certain percentage for certain services. And then there's the famous case of Mr Pink in Reservoir Dogs who refuses to tip, except in the event of extremely good service.

So what's the go?

[el badman]

The usual magic number is 10% of the total bill. However, in LA, well...it's LA so people might be expecting a bit more...

[JaoSming]

I do 10, 15 percent if they do a really good job

I hate tipping with a passion, i really do.

[benji]

15% is standard, not 10%. Don't believe these cheapskates! (Actually Reservoir Dogs is accurate, it's an eternal debate.)

I usually just round it up though.

Don't tip pizza delivery. Every place is already charging you for tip because too many people were stiffing.

Of course, some people disagree. And believe you should always tip everyone at high percentages by throwing money into the air yelling "Let it rain, motherfucker!"

[Oznogrd]

for me: i do about 1 USD for every 5 i Spent...sometimes a little less sometimes a little more. Theres a couple times ive been waiting hours on end for food etc. (im talking like 3-4 hours) where i didnt tip but otherwise..yeah...

Reservoir Dogs ftw.

[Andrew]

But is there a certain etiquette attached to tipping in the U.S.? For instance, I've heard people on TV saying that you're supposed to tip a certain percentage for certain services. And then there's the famous case of Mr Pink in Reservoir Dogs who refuses to tip, except in the event of extremely good service.

I guess everyone else has kind of answered this but I can tell you from experience it's one of those "When in Rome" things you've really got to keep in mind because as you said, it's not really the done thing here so we're not accustomed to doing it. If you're getting any money changed before you go over, it's a good idea to get some smaller denominations simply for tipping purposes, mainly for times when it isn't simply a "keep the change" situation.

[Its_asdf]

If its a poopy ass Chinese restaurant who are simply there to give you your food, I think 10% is more than adequate.

[benji]

Actually, if it's a buffet where they only bring drinks, etc. You're not expected to tip, but most people leave a dollar or two for the entire table.

And don't worry about tipping beyond restaurants, and even there, there are enough jerks who don't do it anyway they'll just bitch when you leave. (And become racist against Aussies.) The only place where people regularly do it is sit-down restaurants (10-20% range depending on service or dollar availablity for most people) and maybe baggage handling (like at hotel/airport/taxi/etc.). Or anywhere where people make the bulk of their take-home pay from tips.

If for some reason you're getting a haircut/tattoo or using a valet, those are the only other situations I could imagine it being standard practice in the US to tip.

I can't really think of any other places I regularly see people tip (I mean, theoretically you could tip anyone, but it's so uncommon at these places it'd seem weird) except maybe bars, but that's usually only rich people at higher end ones who are really just showing off their money more than tipping.

Oh, and at casinos. Make it rain for the dealers if you're dominating. (Motherfucker.)

(im talking like 3-4 hours)

What?

[NovU]

10% is usually enough, but more should be given if the service you got was satisfactory. I hate tipping taxi drivers so I tend to give them not much but for a nice haircut, I sometimes give a lot more. And for a hot waitress and good service like the one you get at the hooters, sky's the limit.

[Oznogrd]

benji im saying i've been to restaurants before trying to have a nice quick meal and had to wait 3 hours. It blew.

[el badman]

If for some reason you're getting a haircut/tattoo

I usually tip 10-15% as well for those.

Don't tip pizza delivery. Every place is already charging you for tip because too many people were stiffing.

It's just that you have those awkward moments with the guy standing by your door, obviously expecting something, so it feels kinda weird if you don't tip. But I agree that it shouldn't have to be done in those instances.

[benji]

benji im saying i've been to restaurants before trying to have a nice quick meal and had to wait 3 hours. It blew.

Yeah, I know what you said. I was wondering why you bothered to wait.

[Patr1ck]

Just make sure you tip the hookers.

[Dan's Brain]

Just make sure you tip the hookers.

yeah, well that goes without saying.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm probably going to go with the old "LOOK OVER THERE!" and run away quickly.