Recently, I was dining at a trendy Manhattan restaurant with 2 of my friends. Once I received the bill, I noticed there was an 18% tip listed. What happened to the standard 15% tip for small parties and an 18% tip for larger groups (i.e., 5 people)? Even though I would have left the waiter an 18% tip anyway because he provided excellent service, the restaurant’s tipping policy is in poor taste. Needless to say, I won’t be revisiting that establishment.
Checkout USA Today and Conde Nast Traveler for some excellent tipping advice.
Savionaires should be very good tippers. The following is a listing of services and corresponding minimum rates to insure prompt/proper/polite service:
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Barber – $3
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Bartender – $2 per drink or 15% of the total bill if you run up a huge tab
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Chambermaid – $1 left on the bed pillow daily
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Chauffer – 15%
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Coat check or washroom attendant – $1
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Doorman or skycap – $1 per luggage
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Hairstylist – $5 plus $1 to the person who shampooed your hair
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Maitre d’ – $5 or 5% of your bill if he pulled strings to sit you at the best seat in
the house or if he put your name on a full reservations list -
Starbucks and other coffee shop staff -$1 per cup
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Taxi driver – 15% if the fare is at least $10, otherwise $1 plus the change
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Valet parking attendant – $2