When using services in the United States, such as serving, delivery, or cab rides, you should tip generously. Learn why tipping is so important in the USA and what to look out for when making a tip.
Tipping is an essential social custom in the United States. However, the extra money for good service is not only about recognition; for some service workers, it is a matter of survival.
The reason for the enormous importance of tips in the USA is the often low base salaries of service staff. Many a server, bartender, parking attendant, or bellhop could not pay his rent or buy food for themselves and their families without your 15-20 % tip.
Therefore, tipping in the USA is not a "can do" as in many parts of Europe, but a definite "must." You should always have some extra dollars in your pocket when traveling through the USA to appreciate the work of the American service staff.
When you visit a restaurant in the USA, a tip of about 20 % is recommended. However, the exact amount is at your discretion. In practice, American tips vary between 15 % and 20 %.
If you find a service very poor or even unfriendly or bad, you can lower your tip to 10 %, but you should not leave this uncommented.
Service staff or service providers you should tip in the US include:
According to a FOX Business survey, housekeepers and childcare workers get the most tips on average in the United States, followed by gardeners and teachers. Bringing up the rear in the survey are garbage collectors and mail carriers.
The most popular way to tip in America is in cash. This allows the service staff to take their money home directly instead of having to wait days for a card statement. However, it is also possible to tip by credit card.
If you want to pay a tip with your credit card after a cab ride in the USA, for example, you simply enter your tip amount using the display after swiping the card.
In restaurants, it's a little more complicated because here, you first have to authorize your payment and then wait for the "restaurant copy" of your bill to enter your tip amount there.
Anyway, no matter how you tip, it's appreciated and much needed.
Studies on tipping habits in America indicate that tips are often discriminatory: for example, service workers receive different amounts of tips based on age, gender, ethnicity, or body type. It's essential to be aware of these "discrimination traps" and make sure you're being fair.
Match your tip to your relationship with the service person: How often have you interacted? How friendly and reliable are they? If you have a close personal relationship, such as with an au pair, a lavish bonus equal to a week's pay and a unique gift may be appropriate. If you're tipping from the heart, make it a lovely gift: write a card, get dollar bills that are hot off the press, and have a kind word of compliment ready.
Also, tip early if you're employing a service person for an extended period of time. This can be particularly important before holidays like Christmas, as tips are crucial for buying Christmas gifts or booking trips to see family.
Beware: some restaurant chains automatically add a gratuity. Do a quick check of your receipts for the "Tip is not included" notice before paying your 20 %.
If the tip is already included, it will usually say "gratuity" with the appropriate percentage. Here, you can still decide if you want to raise this to 20 %.
It is not just a rumor that many stingy customers have been chased down the street in the USA. With their "tipping culture," Americans have no sense of humor! You won't make friends if you skimp on tips during your vacation in America.
In the worst case, you could be exposed as a "tightwad," "stingy," "cheapskate," or "skinflint" in front of the entire restaurant. So if you were unhappy with a service, talk it over with the person in question rather than wordlessly withholding your tip.
Chances are, after a frank discussion, you will receive an apology and generous restitution, after which you can tip with a clear conscience.
For certain people, tipping is not appropriate or even prohibited in the USA. These include, for example:
While with professionals like doctors and lawyers, it's only considered an insult when a tip is passed across the table, with police officers and government employees, it can even be considered an attempted bribe and get you into serious trouble.
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!