In the USA, many service workers earn less than the minimum wage because a part of their salary is dependent on tips. This is Uncle Sam's way of allowing "the man" to exploit the system, so don't be a chump! This is most evident in the restaurant industry (waiters, waitresses and bartenders). Now, that doesn't mean that you tip the counter person at McDonalds, but you will sometimes see a tip cup in a fast food joint or pizzeria. If you have a large or difficult order, feel free to drop a buck in the cup.
So, how do you know who and how much to tip? When in doubt, double the tax! The current tax rate in New York City is about 9% (8.875%), so doubling that amount (just under 18%) will land you in the middle of the recommended 15-20% (more so 20%). Of course, if you received exceptional service from a personable server, you can certainly tip more, especially around the holidays. So, don't be afraid to chub that number up to 25%! What about the cabbie or the bell hop? Here's a guide to tipping in New York City...
Waiters/Waitresses: Again, 15-20% (or just double the tax) for satisfactory service. You can find the tax amount below the subtotal of your check. Keep in mind that some restaurants, especially when you're part of a large group, will automatically include the tip in your bill. This is generally a 15% gratuity fee to protect the server from inadvertently getting stiffed. That does not mean that you can't add to it! Again, it's on the low end, so feel free to add on another 5% if the service was good. You can just leave it as cash.
Cocktail Waitress: $1-$2 a drink, $5 bucks for a round of drinks.
Taxi driver: Depends on the distance and amount of time you spend in the cab, but 15%-20% pus an extra $1 or $2 if they handle your bags. If you're taking a short trip ($5) give a buck.
Tour guide: $2-$5 (per person) if tips are not included (ask beforehand).
Airport Porter/Skycap: $1-$2 per bag (curbside), $2-$3 per bag if taken to check-in counter.
Hotel doorman: $1-$2 per bag/luggage or for hailing a cab.
Hotel bellhop: $2-$5 to bring luggage to your room (a buck or two more for several bags).
Hotel housekeeper: $2-$5 per night for multiple night stays.
Hotel concierge: $5 for making reservations or arrangements (theater tickets, tour, etc.). Directions and restaurant suggestions are free.
Handyman: If something needs to be fixed in your room, $2-$5, depending on response time or how serious and how long the repair is.
Room Service: 15-20% (or double the tax) is customary. Before you tip though, make sure the gratuity wasn't already included at the bottom of your bill (standard in many hotels).
Valet Attendant: This isn't too common for tourists since most don't drive, but you'll want to give them anywhere from $2-$5. Round up if it's raining or snowing.
Pool Attendant: $2 bucks for things like bringing you towels or a lounge chair.
Showroom Maitre 'd: $2 (preassigned seat) or juice 'em $20 or more to get seated where you want.
Coatroom attendant: Give them $1-$2 per coat when you pick them up.
Washroom attendant: .50 cents to $1 (at least $1 if they give you a comb or gum, etc.).
Hairdresser, Barber or Manicurist: 15-20%. $2 for shampoo or shave person.
Spa worker: 15-20%.
Bartender: This is a long one... There are a couple of options when it comes to taking care of the medicine man (or woman). If you're only planning to have a drink or two or it's your turn to buy a round of drinks for your friends, tack on a buck or two for each drink (one drink - $2 bucks, 3 or more = $1 a drink, but round up if the total is close to a round number), For example, you bought you and two other friends a round (3 drinks) and it came out to $16, round up and give a twenty. Don't be a douche and wait around for a friggin' dollar! Naturally, if your bartender was slow (a busy night doesn't count) or screwed up your drinks, give 'em a buck instead of two or round low for a round. Whatever you do, don't stiff your server, especially if you plan to hang around!
The other option for you more committed drinkers is to open a tab. This is customary when you're chilling in one spot and plan to order multiple drinks over a period of time or the course of the night or if you order something off the menu or just parking your ass at the bar to watch a game. In these scenarios, drop some cabbage in the vicinity of your beverage (not under the glass, but right in front of it) and leave it up to the bartender to decide whether they will take money from your little cabbage pile with each drink you order or keep track of your drinks and hit you with a grand total later. In either case, you will not tip your server until you are ready to leave. At that point you'll have to account for how many drinks you had or how much you spent and tip accordingly.
Is one option better than the other? You'll likely save yourself a couple of bucks if you open a tab, assuming you did some damage, but not so much if you only had a couple. Lets say you drank $40 worth of brewskies, you'll wanna drop a 10 spot, but if you ordered say 6 or 7 over the course of the night and gave $2 each time, then you'll likely to have forked out $12-$14 bananas when the night is done. In these situations, where you're making multiple visits over the course of the night, you can get away with alternating $1 and $2 tips. Unlike a tab, this greatly improves your chances of receiving a "buy back" since your server knows they're not gonna get burned by a cheapskate. What's a "buy back"? It's when a bartender hands you a drink and says "it's on me!". Some places have strict rules against this and some bartenders are more apt to do this than others, so don't go in expecting it, but don't forget it either when you're tipping throughout the night.
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