9 Tipping Rules You’re Breaking

One question has plagued American customers for decades: How much should I tip? With the rise of countertop tipping tablets, this question has taken on new life, leaving more customers asking: Do I really need to tip for this? Some of us feel indoctrinated into American tipping culture, where there is pressure to tip for everything. Others have given up altogether and often forgo tipping, citing “tipflation” woes. 

Unfortunately, there is no definitive set of rules for tipping in America (that would be too easy). To navigate the complexity, we turned to etiquette and personal finance experts about the “rules” too many customers break. Are you guilty of any? 

Not Tipping Your Baristas

Baristas might have one of the most important jobs in America because, after all, who are we without our morning coffees? Show your appreciation by tipping your barista — but how much depends on your order. It’s one of the most divisive questions on Bankrate’s tipping survey, with 22% of Americans claiming to “always” tip baristas, 23% saying they “never” tip, and the rest falling somewhere in between. 

According to real-life baristas, a tip is warranted if the order is complicated, but for a plain drip coffee, you can probably forgo leaving the extra dollar. Additionally, if you’re picking up an order for a big group or have special requests, you should give them a better tip, around 10% to 20% of the pretax total, according to a former Starbucks barista.

Skimping at Sit-down Restaurants

A good rule of thumb for sit-down restaurants is to always tip between 15% and 20%. National etiquette expert Diane Gottsman agrees with these guidelines, explaining that, at a restaurant, “part of your experience is going to be gratuity.” However, according to a recent survey, most Americans (nearly 60%) tip 15% or less for an average meal at a sit-down restaurant, and only a quarter of those surveyed say they’d tip 20% or more.

Tipping for poor service at a restaurant or bar is a gray area. It's important to note that, according to American labor laws, servers are legally allowed to be paid less than minimum wage if they earn enough in tips to make up the difference. Those servers are relying on your tip as part of their income. Even if the service is terrible, etiquette expert Elaine Swann of the Swann School of Protocol says she wouldn’t go less than 10%, because a lot more than just the server’s actions are at play in a restaurant, such as a backed-up kitchen, improperly cooked food, loud music, etc. However, if the server is downright rude or hostile, this might be one time where you’re justified in not tipping.

Tipping at Fast-Casual Restaurants

Tipping etiquette is slightly different for fast-casual restaurants where you order and wait for your food at the counter. According to Bankrate, tipping is unnecessary at fast-food establishments, but fast-casual is another gray area. Maryanne Parker, the founder of Manor of Manners, also adds that it is optional, however, if you are delighted with your service (maybe the staff gave you extra toppings in your burrito or accommodated special requests for your salad), consider leaving them a tip of around 15%.

Not Tipping for Takeout

If you’re picking up a to-go order at a typical sit-down restaurant, a small tip is appreciated because the staff still puts in effort to prepare, check, and package your order. A good restaurant takeout tip is between 5% and 10%, leaning toward the higher end if you made any special requests or added extras. This is another divisive tipping topic. According to Bankrate’s recent poll, 35% of Americans “never” tip for takeout food, while 32% tip “always” or “most of the time.”

Not Tipping Your Bartender

If you’re sitting at a bar for a cocktail, a tip of one to two dollars per drink is recommended. However, if you also order food, Gottsman says you should bump that up to 15 or 20% of the total tab, just as you would pay in a sit-down restaurant. This is because the bartender is acting as your server, and sitting at the bar doesn’t release you from your tipping duty. 

Dismissing Your Delivery Driver

According to Bankrate’s survey, only 50% of people who order food delivery (directly through restaurants or via apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats) tip their driver. According to Gottsman, tipping at least $5 for delivery is the right thing to do. If the order is large (pizza for the entire office) or complicated (baked goods for a bridal shower), you might consider tipping 15% of the order cost. “If they have really worked hard to get it to you,” says Gottsman, deliverers should be compensated appropriately. The same goes for any delivery, not just food. Whether it’s flowers, furniture, baked goods, or alcohol, leaving a tip is a kind gesture that deliverers count on as part of their expected wages.

Forgetting Tips on Vacation

Remember, restaurant workers aren’t the only hotel staffers who work for tips. What would a vacation be without the drivers, tour guides, and hotel staff who work to make it memorable? The tipping amount depends on the type and quality of service. Most experts agree that around $5 per night is appropriate for hotel housekeepers. Anyone who handles your luggage should also be tipped (door attendants or bellhops) at a rate of $1 or $2 per bag (or up to $5 at a luxury hotel), and a similar rate is appropriate for valets. Tour guides should be tipped around 15% of the overall cost of the tour. Don’t forget to tip at spas, golf courses, charter boats, and other vacation activities. 

There are a few instances in which you might not tip, including all-inclusive vacations and cruise ships. These packages often include a set gratuity in your overall bill, so you can tip less than usual. Additionally, there is no need to tip the hotel concierge unless they’ve gone above and beyond or provided you with discounts or extra services, such as booking excursions.

Not Tipping Taxis

In almost every instance, if someone else is driving you, they should be tipped, but 37% of Americans “never” or “only sometimes” tip taxi or rideshare drivers (such as Uber or Lyft). Etiquette experts agree that 15% to 20% of the fare is an appropriate tip. If the driver offers extra amenities such as bottled water, hand sanitizer, phone chargers, etc., don’t be afraid to tip more to show your appreciation. This rule also applies to shuttle bus drivers at airports or hotels. They should be tipped a few dollars and a little extra if they handle your luggage.

Tipping for Home Services

This is a rare occasion when you don’t need to tip for services. Plumbers, electricians, cable installers, landscapers, and other professionals who come to your home to repair or improve something do not expect to be tipped. In fact, many are not allowed to accept tips. Of course, if they go above and beyond, you could give them a small tip to show appreciation, but it is uncommon. Despite this, surprisingly, around 10% of Americans always tip for these types of services, and 41% tip “most of the time” or “sometimes.”

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