To tip or not to tip, that’s the question

July 12, 2023

By Kim Komando

Have you noticed that someone is asking for a tip everywhere you look? That fancy-schmancy payment popped up at coffee shops. Now, they’re at self-checkouts, stadiums and even fast-food joints. My plumber even had the option to tip him 20%! I’m glad I didn’t. The ice maker leaked all over 45 minutes after he left.

Hey, I’m all for people making the most money for doing a job well. But when it comes to tipping, where do we draw the line?

Gratuity gone wild

We can thank the pandemic for bringing tipping more front and center. Plus, today’s tech has made it super-easy to nudge customers into tipping through automated payment screens.

Inflation also plays a huge role. Businesses are trying to keep costs low — and tipping is a way to increase workers’ wages without actually handing out raises. 

Know the secret

Imagine you’ve just got a snazzy new haircut. Your stylist hands over an iPad, flashing three tipping options: 18%, 20% or 25%. Now, you don’t want to be tagged as a “stingy tipper,” so the lowest option is out. But, oops, the highest one feels like a bit of a pocket pinch. So, what do most people do? 

Research says most of us play Goldilocks and go for the “just right” middle option! When presented with three choices, most people pick the middle amount for their tip. Now, isn’t that a tipping trick worth remembering?

We’re not talking about cow tipping

Here’s a quick list of how much to tip when appropriate.

• Restaurants: 20% (fast food restaurants are optional).
• Bars: $1 per beer or glass of wine, $2 per cocktail.
• Coffee shops: $1 per drink.
• Delivery drivers: 15-20% of your order.
• Salons: 20% of your service.
• Hotels: $2 to $5 per bag for porters, $3 to $5 per day for housekeeping.
• Taxi drivers & ride share (Uber, Lyft): 15-20% of the fare.
• Movers: $10 per person for a 2-hour move, $20 for a 4-hour and $40 for an 8-hour.
• Babysitters: 15-20% of total pay.
• Lawn care: Between $20 and $50 at the end of the season.
• Your favorite YouTube or Twitch streamer: Check if they have a Patreon or other paid option. If they accept one-time tips (like YouTube’s thanks button), $5 would make their day.

Bottom line: It’s easy to get annoyed by the number of times you’re asked to tip. If you receive fantastic service somewhere, tipping is a welcome gesture. But if the service wasn’t so great (or you’re paying for something that never asked for a tip before), it might not be necessary.