What are the rules for tipping in America? A US traveller’s survival guide.

[Concerned American]

so it's not a federal statute as the other poster claimed, thanks.

The federal statute's minimum is $2.13/hr for tipped employees. States are free in raise that minimum, but they are not at liberty to reduce it. The same holds true for the federal minimum wage of $7.25 for employees that do not receive the recognized percentage of tips.

 

[ShahdagMountains]

Rules for tipping. If you get good service, then you tip. If you don't, then you dont.

If you don’t, they pull a face.

 

[rightwinger]

Tipping is out of control
After decades of a traditional 15 percent tip, servers are offended if they don’t get 20

The price of a restaurant meal has almost doubled. That increase in tip should be enough

 

[Unkotare]

Servers should be paid a reasonable wage based on their value to the restaurant and leave it at that. This little begging the patron for more is insulting to everyone involved. "Oh please master, might I have a bit more? I'll fill your water."

 

[ScorpioRising007]

As British travellers discover on a first visit to the US, tipping is deeply embedded in the culture. And it is all too easy to breach etiquette.

The matter was thrust into the spotlight again recently when an American server shared their displeasure with a specific group of diners on Twitter.

“Lmao I f***ing hate Europeans sometimes on god,” wrote user “brecht apologist” on the social media platform. “This table just left $70 on a $700 check after chilling for HOURS. My manager even asked about their service and they were OVER THE MOON about my service so he explained the customary tip is 20% and they were like ‘ok.’ and left.

Cue a quickly escalating debate beneath the original post, with Europeans, and Brits in particular, keen to explain that, in fact, US tipping culture is not just alien to us, but completely baffling.

So join me, reader, as I attempt to unpack the myriad rules that apply when it comes to obligatory tipping across the Pond.

What are the rules for tipping in America?

A campaign to make 20 per cent the bare minimum for restaurant meals is having some effect

www.independent.co.uk

It use to be in the US a 10% tip was fine. That changed when COVID hit. I still tip 10% when I go out to eat sometimes a little more. I very rarely can afford to eat out these days, a luxury for the rich.

 

[Redfish]

It use to be in the US a 10% tip was fine. That changed when COVID hit. I still tip 10% when I go out to eat sometimes a little more. I very rarely can afford to eat out these days, a luxury for the rich.

but you pay for the internet and a computer. so this stupid message board is more important than eating?

 

[Concerned American]

It use to be in the US a 10% tip was fine. That changed when COVID hit. I still tip 10% when I go out to eat sometimes a little more. I very rarely can afford to eat out these days, a luxury for the rich.

Customary tips in the US have been at least 15% since the 80s, but I have noticed that restaurants are promoting 18-20% on their bills in the past ten years or so. I'm solidly set on the 15% benchmark for good service.

 

[rightwinger]

Customary tips in the US have been at least 15% since the 80s, but I have noticed that restaurants are promoting 18-20% on their bills in the past ten years or so. I'm solidly set on the 15% benchmark for good service.

Servers act offended if they don’t get 20 percent

 

[Ava]

Oh be aware, there are places that will include the tip in the final bill typically around 18 percent.

I don't go back to those places. They'll just have to accept my 20% tip for above and beyond "standard" service. I admire the restaurant policy makers that enjoy and employ that kind of server.

 

[Papageorgio]

Service charge is included in the prices.

But it seems to be an obligatory thing in the States. Like an extra tax.

Not if you don’t pay it. I tip at restaurants but very few other places. That is my standard and never has anyone chased me down for not tipping and neither have they said a word. So I am unfamiliar of what you are claiming.

 

[hondo 50]

This dumb thread is still going. No one figure it out

 

[Zebra]

On my very first trip to the US, still trying to figure things out, after drinking my coffee, somewhere in the South Street Seaport, and walking out, the waiters followed me outside, and literally dragged me back inside, all the while informing me of the tip l should have given them.

strange ....