THE AVERAGE FOOD & BEVERAGE WORKER MAKES LESS THAN $3/HOUR

"DUMB PEOPLE DON'T TIP"...Read the abstract at the bottom of the page.

Don't play dumb!  Don't be cheap!  You know you have to leave a tip.  How much is appropriate?  Have you ever seen a millionaire waiter?...of course not!  Your tips provide good people the opportunity to be gainfully employed all the while making the world a better place for the rest of us!  I worked as a bartender for years...I know the value of a fair tip.  Workers don't get paid alot to do what they do in the service/hospitality industry...on the average, a server makes $3 or less per hour...we rely on your tips to make a living!  Tipping helps equalize the low wages each worker earns, to a level that sustains his or her cost of living.  In Europe, and other countries in the the free world, tipping is not customary...but, you know you have to tip here in the USA...don't be Euro Trash!  Don't play dumb!  Read the following guide and tip the amount stated for each occupation...DON'T PLAY DUMB!  American's that don't tip are just plain cheap with no class...you're the worst of all, because you know the poor server gets paid slave wages!...put yourself in the shoes of the person serving you.  How would you like it if you "waited" on somebody, made them feel like a celebrity, only to receive little to no compensation for services rendered?  If you've ever worked for tips, you know what I'm talking about.  We don't get paid alot for what we do!...we need your tips to survive!  God bless and God save the USA!

• Waiter/Waitress:  15%-20% depending on the quality of service.  15% MINIMUM up to and over 20% if the service was outstanding and you think they deserve it.  This is a hospitality industry, people, if you had a great experience...tip appropriately!+

• Wait Service at a buffet:  10%...yes it's self serve, but the staff still has to bring you drinks and keep your table clean.  Remember...they earn $3/hour!
  

• Hostess/Host:  Not neccessary...normally they get a % of tips from the floor service and or house.  Tip at your own discretion $10 or more if you get preferential seating...i.e. you didn't have to wait or got an awesome spot.
  

• Food delivery guy:  10%...the guy/gal brings food to you because you don't want to get it yourself...please tip accordingly.
  

• Bartender:  $1/drink or more for drinks that require muddling(mojitos, infused martinis, caipirinhas).  If you didn't have to wait long in a totally packed bar...tip more!  I worked as a bartender for years in the bartending mecca of the world, New York City, trust me on this...the bartender is THE MAN/WOMAN!  Take care of him/her and he/she will take care of you!  Also, if you're running a tab, the tip is 15%-20% of the total bill...more if you feel they deserve it.  If your drinks are extra strong...i.e. more alcohol content...tip more!  The bartender did not make a mistake by giving you a stronger drink, he wants you to enjoy yourself!  Cheers!
  

• Tip jars:  Like at a piano bar or a catered party.  Tip $1 or more for every drink(if it's a free bar).  If it's a regular cash bar...tip $1 per drink.  Tip the piano player $2 or more every half hour you're there and $5 or more for every song he dedicates to you.

• Bathroom Attendant:  50 cents or more...depending on service.  These guys do a job that nobody wants to do...respect that...take a mint, splash on some cologne or perfume.  I once went to a bar in the Philippines where the bathroom attendant started giving me a shoulder massage, mid stream!  I kindly told him to stop, thanked him for the effort and tipped him accordingly...f.y.i. it was a straight bar!

• Valet attendant:  $2 or more.  Ever see the movie "Ferris Beuller's Day Off"?...nuff said.

• Airport skycap:  $2 for the first bag. $1/extra bag.  You know you overpacked it!  It weighs a ton...tip the poor guy in his late 40's the appropriate amount before he breaks his back.

• Housekeeper/Hotel maid:  $2-$5/per day...yes, per day!  They make jacksh#t!  And to have to clean your disgusting bathroom everyday?!?  They deserve it.

• Concierge:  $5 for making reservations for you(restaurant, a show, etc...).  $10 or more for hard to find items and other unsual requests...a donkey show for your bachelor party would fit into this category.
  

• Cab driver:  15% of the total fair.  $1/bag if he helped you with it.  That $1 dollar could feed his family in his country for one week.

• Hair stylist:  15%-20% for any service.  Don't forget the shampooist!  That head massage is worth the price of a cut, dry and style alone!

• Manicurist:  15%-20%...this is a nominal fee for the amount of relaxation you will experience.

• Facial: 15-20%...don't agree?...pop your own zits!

• Au pair or Nanny:   One week's pay plus a gift from the child/children.  Mrs. Doubtfire loves your kids!  Love her back with cold hard cash...how many diapers did YOU change today?!?

• Babysitter:  One night's pay plus a small gift from the child/children.  She has soooo many better things to do...teach her the value of a good night's/day's work.

• Day care provider:  $20-$75 per staff member plus a small gift from your child.  Yet another job that's invaluable to you...do you know how many psychos are out there that would love to take care of your kid?!?
  

• Live-in-help(butler, chef, maid):  One week to one month's pay.  These folks are closer to you than most family members...take care of your family!

• Private nurse:  A thoughtful gift from you.

• Housekeeper/cleaner:  One week's pay plus a small gift from you.  Why are you drinking that beer after work?...because your house is already clean.  Tip accordingly!

• Nursing home staff:  Flowers or food for the entire staff.  Money is not neccessary unless a staff member is extra close to your mom or dad.
  

• Barber:  Cash or gift equivalent to one hair cut.

• Personal trainer:  Cash equivalent to one session or a gift.  And they're also your personal therapist!
  

• Massage Therapist:  Cash equivalent to one session.  Don't offer a "Happy Ending"!
  

• Dog walker:  Cash equivalent to one week's pay plus a small gift.  Your dog loves this person more than you could ever imagine. 

• Pet groomer:  Gift or cash equivalent to one session's fee. 
  

• Pool cleaner:  Cost of a cleaning divided between the crew.  Desperate housewives don't forget the pool boy!

• Garage or parking lot attendants:  $10-$30 or a small gift.  They do this so you won't have to take a cab home from your parking spot on the other side of the planet. 
  

• Newspaper delivery person:  $10-$30 or a small gift.  Subtract $1 for every newspaper found on the roof(just kidding).
  

• Mail carrier:  A small gift.  They won't "go postal" if you get them a bigger gift.  I always take care of my postal workers...they do sooo much for my ebay business.  Please note:  U.S. government regulations prohibit gifts above $20 in value.

• Package carriers:  A small gift.  Most delivery companies discourage cash gifts. 
  

• Superintendent:  $20-$80 or a gift.  Who you gonna call when you're toilet is backing up?...Crapbusters?...no...The SUPER!

• Doorman:  $15-$80 per doorman or a gift.  I bet you don't even know your doorman's last name!  Thank him kindly, especially for ALL those packages you couldn't sign for!
  

• Elevator operator:  $15-$40 per guy.  They push buttons, they hold the door, they ask you about your day.  Good people!

• Handyman:  $15-$40.  You think you can do a better job at putting a 1000 piece IKEA desk together yourself?!...be my guest!  Not only can the handyman can...he does it in less than 3 days!
  

• Gardener:  $20-$50 or a gift.  Leaf blowers are fun but I'd rather play Guitar Hero 2!
  

• Teachers:  A gift...NOT CASH.  No amount of money will raise your kid's math grade.  He just can't summate fractions!

• Garbage/recycling collectors:  $10 or more per crew member for private companies.  Municipal service must be checked locally for regulations.

"The Effects of Race, Education and Income on Tipping Behavior" by Clorice D. Thomas-Haysbert, Asst. Professor Howard University. Hospitality Management Program. Management Department. Washington, D.C.

The following was a study done by an Assistant Professor at Howard University, Washinton, D.C. for The Howard Press.  The study is archived and can be retrieved at the official website of The Howard Press. Journal of Foodservice Business Research:  Volume 5:  Issue 2. ISSN: 1537-8020

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to find out if African Americans do tip less frequently than Whites and if income and education influence the relationship.  Respondents were asked about the frequency of tipping and the reasons for tipping.  The results suggest that race was a significant factor in the frequency of tipping servers, bartenders, luggage handlers, taxi drivers, and parking attendants.  However, income and education tend to nullify these results.  Overall the results suggest that while race may be a factor in some service transactions, much of the race effect be nullified by education and income.

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