The custom of leaving a tip at restaurants differs greatly from country to country and, on certain occasions, puts travelers in difficulty. For example, in the United States, while not a legal requirement, customers are expected to tip and there is a customary amount to offer to staff for their good service. In other countries, the rules can vary a lot. It is still a good idea to let the waiter know that you appreciate his work.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Give the Right Sum
Step 1. Leave at least 15% of the bill to the US waiter
The guidelines for regulating the amount to be given to the staff of a restaurant in the United States indicate the percentage of 15%. However, this is considered the minimum figure. If you leave anything less, the waiter is likely to be very offended.
- Be aware that leaving 15% of the bill is equivalent to declaring that the service was average or otherwise sufficient. You should increase the amount of the tip if you think the waiter did a better job.
- Consider leaving 20% for good service, 25% for great service, and 30% in cases where staff have done exceptional work.
- Some people think it is necessary to leave two dollars for each person at the table if the sum is greater than the percentage.
Step 2. Use math to figure out how much you need to tip
Some people find it difficult to calculate exactly 15% of an account. However, you can use some shortcuts and math tricks.
- To settle with the tip, you need to perform a simple mathematical equation. Some suggest rounding the bill to the nearest multiple of 10 before proceeding with the calculations.
- Move the decimal point of the account one place to the left. In this way, you are getting 10% of the total. If the American restaurant bill is then $ 55.00, 10% is $ 5.50. To get to 15%, take half of $ 5.50 and add it to $ 5.50. 15% in this case is equal to $ 8.25.
- To calculate 20%, move the decimal point one place to the left and double the value. For example, a $ 35.84 account becomes $ 3.58. But remember that it's 10%, multiply the value by 2 and you get 20%.
Step 3. Check if the tip is already included in the bill
In some cases, it is already noted in the account entries and it is not necessary to pay additional sums of money to the waiter.
- This type of bonus represents 15 or 18% of the bill, when it is already included. Some restaurants automatically calculate it for large group accounts. If on the receipt they issue you or on the menu you find the word "gratuity included", it means that you don't have to leave any more money.
- This is because, when even one or two people in the group skimp on the tip, the waiter cannot reach the basic amount.
- Large tables require a lot of time and a lot more work for the waiters. You should ask in advance or check the restaurant's website to find out if tips are included.
Method 2 of 3: Mastering the Rules of Tipping
Step 1. Reward the rest of the staff as well
If the waiter at your table isn't the only person serving you, it's customary to tip other workers as well.
- For example, if you have also been served by a sommelier, you should leave him 15% of the cost of the bottle of wine.
- You can leave about a dollar for each jacket you give to the cloakroom attendant and two dollars to the parking lot or garage guy if you left the car with them before going to dinner. You can also decide to give the waiter a small tip, if the restaurant is a buffet or if the table service includes only drinks; however, the percentage should range between 10 and 15%.
- Some places have toilet agents, who you should leave 50 cents or a dollar for. It is advisable to give a separate bonus to the head waiter. When you buy something at the counter, such as take-out coffee, you are not expected to leave a tip.
Step 2. Use a smartphone application for tips
You can download one that calculates the amount you should leave based on your account size.
- Most smartphones come with a calculator, so you can calculate the tip yourself, based on the percentage you have decided to give.
- There are also several dedicated websites. All you have to do is enter the amount of the account and the percentage you intend to leave as a tip.
- In some cases, a tax, similar to Italian VAT, equal to 5% is highlighted. Just multiply this value by three and you will get 15% of the bill.
- If you pay with meal vouchers, coupons, or other discount methods, calculate the tip as if you were paying in cash. Otherwise, the waiter would be harmed by the restaurant manager's efforts to lure you into his restaurant (by allowing you to pay with coupons).
Step 3. Keep in mind that tips are important
Some waiters literally rely on it to survive. First, tipping is part of their hourly minimum wage calculation.
- It is not uncommon for waiters' hourly wages to be just over two dollars, not including tips. This means that they are paid well below the minimum. Although each US state has a different base wage, federal regulations stipulate that a restaurant worker who can rely on tips receives a minimum of $ 2.13 per hour.
- Some waiters have to share or pool all tips at the end of the evening or contribute to those of the bartenders, thus lowering their income.
- You are not legally required to leave a bonus; however, if you don't, you are very rude to the waiter.
Step 4. Leave small amounts for really poor service
You don't get any benefit from being rude, but if you've been getting really bad service, you shouldn't feel obligated to tip all the way.
- First, try to talk to the waiter about what is making you dissatisfied, so that you can give him a chance to fix it. Tipping is meant to recognize good service.
- If the waiter ignored you, behaved badly, or brought you the dishes too late, you can avoid giving him the entire bonus. Evaluate whether what you received matches the dishes you ordered, whether the food was hot and fresh, how attentive the waiter was, how quickly he cleared away the empty plates and was courteous.
- You should kindly and constructively explain the lack of a tip when paying the bill. Some think they still need to tip 10% even when service has been poor.
- Make sure the bad experience is really attributable to the waiter. For example, the kitchen may not have prepared the dishes on time or the owner has not hired enough staff.
Step 5. If the service has been excellent, tell the waiter
You can make his day better by informing him that his job was not only good, but flawless. Why not let them know?
- Write a small note on the bill to let the worker know what he was very good at.
- Even better, call the manager or owner and tell them how happy you are.
- Always treat the waiter with courtesy, kindness and address him with a smile. These people already have very stressful days and certainly don't need customers to take their frustrations out on them!
Method 3 of 3: Tip in Other Countries
Step 1. Make sure tips are accepted
In many public places in the United States they are not only accepted, but also encouraged because they represent a substantial part of a waiter's salary. In other countries, however, they may not be allowed and even considered an insult!
- There are places where customer bonuses are not allowed. For example, in "all inclusive" resorts it is not recommended to leave them, because the service is included in the total cost of the holiday.
- If you find yourself at a group party paid for in advance by someone else, such as a wedding banquet, chances are the guest has already tipped.
- Even in such situations, however, it is by no means forbidden to leave a few extra tips, if you can afford it. The waiter will appreciate your gesture.
Step 2. Tip rarely in Europe
The habits of the old continent regarding tips are not the same as those of the United States. In America the customer is expected to give a bonus, but in Europe this expectation does not exist at all.
- Start by looking at the restaurant menu to see if service charges are included. If not, you can leave an amount equal to 5-10% of the account. In some countries it is considered unusual to leave higher tips.
- The difference in this approach is that European waiters are better paid than American colleagues; this means they don't rely on tips to survive and view the bonus as a small unexpected bonus.
- It is better to leave the tip in the hand of the waiter than to put it on the table. In some London restaurants you can read on the menu that an optional 12.5% tip is recommended.
Step 3. Act cautiously in the rest of the world
Habits are very different depending on the country you are visiting. It is worth researching local customs and traditions before starting the trip.
- In the Middle East, tips are welcome even if they are small. Some governments, such as Dubai, impose a service charge of 10% of the restaurant bill. Tipping is often included in Egypt, but you can leave an additional 5-10%.
- In Israel and Jordan, the tip is included in the bill.
- In Canada the situation is similar to that of the United States, therefore it leaves bonuses of between 15 and 20%.
- In some Latin American states, such as Chile, the bill includes a 10% tip.
- In Mexico, cash payment and a 10-15% tip are preferred.
- In Australia you should leave an amount equal to 10-15%.
Step 4. Avoid tipping in most Asian countries
In some places it is frowned upon. Check local customs to make sure your gesture isn't considered an affront.
- There is no tipping culture in China; however, you can leave it in fine hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners.
- In Japan, a club owner can feel insulted, considering your gesture as a demonstration that you think you are not paying his waiters enough.
- In some Asian countries, however, it is correct to leave it. In Thailand, you can give the equivalent of one euro to the waiter.
Advice
- The custom of tipping also applies to take-away orders, so remember to leave it.
- The "tip cans" are spreading more and more in small takeaway businesses (ice cream parlors, cafes, pastry shops). In that case, staff spend very little time with customers, but don't get a reasonable salary from their employer. In these circumstances, a small tip is much appreciated.
