MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Tipping question in America.

Tipping question in America.


Do you tip based on total or sub-total???

I have been living here for several years but I rarely go out.

Yesterday was one of those 'rarely' times and was wondering about tipping.

Our bill was $72 pre-tax, $78 post-tax... I left $16 tip.

Is this a good amount for good service?

It's about 31% pre-tax... 21% post-tax.

Our server was very nice and arranged for my date to have her dessert decorated with her name and hearts design... but I didn't like any of food (I knew I wasn't going to and its not the server's fault) it's all fake food like pre-made, not really made from scratch at the restaurant... it was a Cheesecake Factory location.

Thanks in advance about the tipping question.

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I always give the same tip. “Don’t take any wooden nickels” :-)

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I tip post tax. I do wish services and merchandise were just listed with the tax included in the US. It would make things easier in my opinion.

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21% is an Extremely good tip.

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The main rule is, multiply whatever your bill is by 0.15 (15% of sales tax) and add it to your bill as the tip. Very simple. If there are variations, that's probably due to either being in a city/tourist area, where things are more expensive, or someone is exploiting you.

Another good tip: get an app on your phone so you can calculate the cost real quick.

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Thanks. That sounds easy.

I do feel some anxiety about it though, but I've seen people not tip at places at all like when getting a haircut.

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Tipping is only done in 3 places in the US: a sit-down restaurant (not necessary at fast-food places), in fancy hotels with bellboys helping you out (this is more common for the rich), and when the food delivery guy brings your order to the door. I've heard of people tipping parking valets, but most people don't use them unless you're parking at a hospital (some security guards double as valets) or at some fancy event/hotel that has valet parking. Tips for that are based on whatever you feel like giving them, though usually it can be anywhere between $5-$20, based on how well they treated your car.

I've never heard of tipping at a hair salon. Now I have seen tip jars in many establishments, but that's more of an optional thing, or it's for donations to some charity. You don't have to put money in there if you don't want to.

There was one incident, many years ago, where my mom tipped some people at the airport, but it was a highly unusual situation. Back then, she owned two dachshunds named Fritz and Leisel, and she had taken my half-brother (who was a kid at the time) on a plane flight somewhere, and the dogs were brought along because she couldn't find anyone to dog-sit them at home. Neither dog liked it in the cargo section of the plane, and apparently Fritz managed to break out of his kennel and was found running around loose in there when the plane landed. The poor luggage guys had a terrible time trying to catch him. When mom heard the plane announcement over the airport intercom ask for the owner of one black and tan dog to come claim their pet, she knew there was trouble. What was hilarious was, Fritz had managed to completely evade the two poor luggage guys trying to round him up, but the moment mom was brought in and called for him, he ran right over and jumped into her arms, lol. She gave each of the two guys who had chased him $20 for their trouble.

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