Tipping Etiquette: Do's, Don'ts, and General Rules for Tipping in Different Lines of Work
Key Highlights :
As the pandemic has shifted the tipping pendulum in both directions, it's become more difficult for customers to know when and how much to tip for services. From small cafes to rideshare companies, it's hard to know what the norm is these days when it comes to all things gratuity. That's why we're turning to those who work in professions where tipping is an option to help us out.
If you work (or have ever worked) in a profession where receiving a tip for your services is an option, we want to hear from you, and we want to know as much as you're willing to tell us about your tip expectations. Here are some hypotheticals so we can best explain what we're looking for:
Let's say you work at a small cafe as a barista, with counter service only. Are there certain beverages or items that wouldn't warrant a tip — like a drip coffee or a grab-and-go pastry — or is a tip expected across the board?
What about counter-service restaurants, like Chipotle or Panera Bread, for example? Are tips a required addition, a case-by-case occurrence, or rarely necessary?
Maybe you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, where tips are purportedly getting lower and lower. Do you expect a tip for each trip? If so, what's a "good" tip vs. an "average" one?
Perhaps you deliver food or groceries through services like DoorDash or Instacart (or a local restaurant) where, like with most restaurant jobs, tips usually end up comprising most of your paycheck. Are there ever circumstances where you wouldn't expect a customer to tip you?
Or, maybe you work for a small local business like a bakery, farmer's market, or florist. Any customers paying with a card are given the option to tip via a tablet; are there specific instances when you think tips are expected vs. just the customer going above and beyond?
These are just a few of the professions for which tips are an option. If you're a hairstylist or beautician, nanny or babysitter, if you clean hotel rooms or homes, or if you do any of the other myriad jobs for which tips are an option, we want to hear your tipping do's, don'ts, and general etiquette for your customers when it's time for them to pay.
When it comes to tipping etiquette, here are a few general rules to keep in mind:
• Tip according to the quality of the service. If the service was excellent, a tip of around 20% is generally expected.
• Tip according to the cost of the service. If the service was expensive, a higher tip may be appropriate.
• Tip according to the complexity of the service. If the service was complex (e.g. a haircut or a massage), a higher tip may be appropriate.
• Tip according to the circumstances. If the service was provided during a difficult time (e.g. a pandemic or a natural disaster), a higher tip may be appropriate.
• Tip according to your budget. If you're on a tight budget, a smaller tip may be appropriate.
• Tip according to your own discretion. If you feel that the service was above and beyond, you may choose to tip more.
No matter your profession, it's important to remember that tips are not required, but they are appreciated. It's always a good idea to be aware of the tipping etiquette for the profession you're in, so that you can be sure to give the proper amount of gratuity.
If you have any do's, don'ts, or general rules for tipping in your line of work, we want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts on tipping in your profession in the comments below or through this anonymous form, and your expertise may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post. Your answers will help customers navigate a wide array of scenarios so we can all be a little more respectful and confident the next time we tip.
