Where to tip while traveling and how much in which place: a list
Tipping culture was once a simple process, but it has become a confusing and sometimes heated debate.
What is the ideal percentage? Is it worth tipping an Uber Eats driver or a Starbucks barista? Is it ever okay not to tip? Here's what experts say, according to Nationalpost.com.
During the pandemic, attitudes toward tipping began to change. The service sector was the hardest hit, says etiquette expert Suzy Fossati, and people wanted to show their appreciation to these workers. Blais Comeau says that people had more money at that time because they couldn't spend money on previous outings. In addition to workers risking their health during this time, people were more likely to leave larger tips than before.
Should customers tip in the new environment?
Fossati believes that employees "picked up" on requests for tipping in non-traditional places, and the idea stuck. Now, she says, it's up to consumers to decide whether they want to continue the practice.
But if every service provider starts asking for tips, it will be hard for consumers to know when to tip, experts say.
How much should customers tip?
The tricky part of the conversation around tipping is knowing when and how much to tip in non-traditional places. Blais Comeau reiterates that tipping is not mandatory in certain areas of work, but "if someone is outside of an economic sector where tipping is not part of the custom, you can offer it."
Another option, says Blais Comeau, is to start tipping in cash again.
Should you tip in a particular place and how much, if at all?
List of places:
- Restaurant/bar/pub: tipping is mandatory - at least 15 percent
- Takeaway: tipping is required - at least 15 percent
- Uber: mandatory tip - from 10 to 20 percent
- Taxis: tip is required - 10 to 15 percent, preferably in cash
- Uber Eats/food delivery: a minimum tip of $5 is required
- Grocery delivery: tip is required - $5-$20
- Massage: Tipping is required - 10 to 20 percent, but not for medical or insurance purposes
- Hairdresser/barber/cosmetologist: culturally acceptable gratuity - 15 percent
- Hotel doorman: culturally expected tip - $2-$5
- Bellboy in hotel: culturally expected tip - $2-$5 per bag
- Hotel cleaning: culturally expected tip - $5-10 per day
- Coffee shop: optional tip - "keep the change"
- Grocery store: no tip is required.
Earlier, TravelWise told you why you should tip and how it can positively affect your vacation.