Tipping is more common than ever these days\u2014you likely see an option to tip at coffee shops, takeout counters, and in all sorts of delivery apps\u2014but is it required? And if so, how much should you leave? It can be confusing to navigate tipping across different industries, so we\u2019ve gathered insights from a variety of experts to pin down tipping best practices in today\u2019s day and age.<\/p>\n
The following is a comprehensive guide to tipping in 2023, including everyone from servers to tattoo artists. (Spoiler alert: When in doubt, 20 percent is a safe bet.)<\/p>\n
Many workers in the food and beverage industry rely heavily on tips to make a living\u2014because they\u2019re often considered \u201ctipped employees<\/a>,\u201d their hourly wage can be as low as $2.13. For this reason, tipping is especially important when you go out to eat, and you should budget it in as a mandatory part of your meal.<\/p>\n A tip of 18 to 20 percent of your pre-tax bill is standard for waitstaff. \u201cI’ve found that sometimes customers don’t realize tipping makes up a large percentage of income for hospitality and food and beverage workers,\u201d explains Julia Kesler Imerman, Founder & Owner of Daily Chew<\/a>. \u201cI always recommend 20 percent, and even going over that a bit more if you receive better than expected service.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not totally pleased with your service, consider talking to the manager to find a resolution instead of withholding a tip.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re not ordering food, it\u2019s recommended to leave a small tip for the bartender who serves you. \u201cIf you get drinks and leave, I recommend $1 per drink,\u201d recommends Amanda Richards, a bartender in Rhode Island. \u201cIf you hang out at the bar and get entertained, leave 20 percent, like a meal.\u201d<\/p>\n Tipping isn\u2019t necessary at your favorite coffee shop, as baristas are paid (at least) minimum wage, but it\u2019s always appreciated. Bankrate<\/a> recommends leaving 10 to 15 percent (which generally shakes out to just $1 or $2), especially if you have a complicated order or received great customer service.<\/p>\n Thanks to an abundance of delivery apps, you can get all sorts of food brought straight to your door, including takeout, groceries, and more. While there are \u201cdelivery fees\u201d for most of these services, that money doesn\u2019t go to the driver, so you should be leaving a tip for the person doing the hard work.<\/p>\n GrubHub<\/a> recommends leaving $5 or 20 percent for your delivery driver\u2014whichever is higher. You should also consider adding a few extra dollars for large or complex deliveries, as well as when the weather is bad. If you aren\u2019t willing to brave the rain\/snow\/cold to pick up your food, it\u2019s nice to offer a little \u201cthank you\u201d for the person who does.<\/p>\n If you order pizza from your favorite local joint, be sure to tip the delivery driver. It\u2019s common to give $3 for orders under $20, or 10 to 15 percent on larger orders. (This is different from app-based food delivery, as pizza shops typically pay their drivers an hourly wage.)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re simply picking up a takeout order from a restaurant, there\u2019s no need to tip, according to etiquette expert Emily Post<\/a>. However, if you have an overly large order (think: food for an entire office luncheon) or use curbside delivery, a 10 percent tip is appropriate.<\/p>\nRestaurant Servers<\/h2>\n
Bartenders<\/h2>\n
Baristas<\/h2>\n
Food Delivery Drivers<\/h2>\n
Pizza Delivery<\/h2>\n
Takeout Counter<\/h2>\n