The options start at 18% and get higher from there.
20%? 22%? 24%? These are the startling tipping percentage choices presented to many South Florida restaurant patrons as we pay our bills in 2023.
Whatever happened to the 15% tip? Now, many servers expect at least 20%. And it’s not only wait staff who assume we will throw in a few extra bucks. There are also coffee counter workers, Uber drivers, restaurant kitchen staffers and airport shuttle bus drivers who hope to benefit from our generosity.
Many of these new high-pressure situations are causing confusion and anxiety. Computerized tip screens at checkout seem especially confounding: A study published last month in Modern Restaurant Management found half of customers felt “manipulated or tricked” by the tablet screens.
Etiquette and hospitality experts recommend we not stress out. Here’s their advice on how to handle the many gratuity uncertainties we consumers encounter each day, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic focused attention on the ongoing service-employee shortage and the low wages we have become painfully aware these workers earn.
If you enjoy participating in debates about restaurant tipping practices, check out the Sun Sentinel’s foodie Facebook page, Let’s Eat, South Florida, where strong opinions about when to tip and how much flourish.
Restaurants
Experts say 15% is still OK, even though it’s often not an obvious selection on tablet screens (in that case, search for a write-in option on the screen). They recommend a range of 25% for outstanding service to 10% for servers who did not give the meal their all.
Kevin S. Murphy, a professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, said the standard remains 15% for good service, but: “In recent years, tipping has seen an upward trend to 18-25% in an effort to offset labor costs and shortages.”
Yvonne Salas, director of Etiqueta Excellence Manners, an etiquette school in Pembroke Pines, recommends tipping 15% for satisfactory service and “always 20% and up if it’s a larger party (more than four guests).”
Here are Salas’s tipping suggestions for other types of food service:
Fast food and take-out: No need to tip, unless it’s brought out to the curb, then 10%.
Food trucks: 10%, “unless you order something specially adapted to your needs or got exceptional service.”
Bartenders: Peter Ricci, director of Florida Atlantic University’s hospitality and tourism management program, says some people tip $1 per drink, some as much as $5. “Some who purchase high quality/premium drinks in an upscale lounge feel obligated to give $10 or $20 for a round of drinks,” Ricci said. “Historically, a bartender provides an experience besides just the drink ordered. Further, they customize to the liking of the guest. This high-quality service deserves a tip in my opinion.”
Seth Wenig / AP
Don’t forget to tip your Uber driver! A UCF hospitality professor recommends at least 15%. (File photo)
Other categories
Lawn care: Salas recommends an annual gift of the equivalent of a week’s pay.
Dog groomer: 10%, but increase to up to 20% “if you have a difficult dog,” Salas said.
Delivery driver, Uber driver, Lyft driver: “If they did a good job, 15%-22%” Murphy said.
Valet: “If I am driving a Ferrari and I am at the Ritz, $20, otherwise $2 to $5,” Murphy said.
A “complimentary valet” at a hospital should get $1 or $2, Salas said. She agreed with Murphy that valets should get more money if you are leaving your fancy car at a luxury establishment. “It also depends on any additional help they have provided, let’s say I have forgotten my cell phone and they go back to get it for me, then my tip should reflect the additional service,” Salas said.
Flower delivery: For flowers and non-food items tip between $2 and $5, depending on the value of what is being delivered, Salas said.
Movers: “Lunch and $20,” Murphy said.
Hair stylist: Ricci said $5 to $20, depending on the amount of work done. The person who washes your hair should get $1 to $5. If the salon owner styles your hair, he or she should still be offered a tip, Salas said. “I would suggest asking her if it is all right to tip her. I personally have asked ‘Would you be offended if I tip you?’ Her answer was no, not at all and accepted the tip with a smile!”
Road service: This includes jump starting your battery or towing your car. Ricci recommends $5 to $20, depending on the extent of service, length of time you waited and professionalism.
Massage therapists/masseuses: 15% to 20%, said Samer Hassan, professor of culinary arts, tourism and hospitality management at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens.
Airport employees who help move your luggage from the conveyor belt to your transportation or push your wheelchair to your gate: $5 to $20, Hassan said.
Pedicure or manicure: $5 or $10, Ricci said.
Handymen: $5 to $50, depending on the extent of the job and length of time, Ricci said.
Joe Cavaretta/AP
Experts recommend cruisegoers take care of most tips before they board (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel).
Travel
Hotel doormen: Yes, some hotels still have doormen! Salas said they should get a minimum of $2 if they open the door for you or hail you a cab. She said porters should get $2 to $5 per bag.
Housekeeping: Salas recommends $2 to $5 per day. This should be “given daily because the service may not be provided by the same person during your entire stay.” She also said to leave the tip in an envelope where it will be easy to find, such as on the desk.
Concierge: $10 per service performed, such as making a dinner reservation. Amount could be increased depending on how challenging the request was, according to Salas.
Cruise ship employees: Ricci recommends pre-paying so you can “save yourself a big headache doing the calculations.” There will be occasions for additional tips, he said, such as if servers perform outstanding work. And if you have a butler or concierge, $100 for a 3-day, $200 for a 5-day, and more for longer cruises is acceptable, he said.
Airport shuttle bus: $1 to $10, depending on length of drive and service. “A very conversational and helpful driver, tip more!” Ricci said.
Curbside check-in at airport: $2 to $3 a bag, according to Murphy.
Awkward situations
Should you tip if you aren’t satisfied at a restaurant?
According to Ricci: “I do not tip if I have horrid service and also make a point to comment, use social media, and call the company/owner/operator/manager. I also tip 30% or more if the service is exceptional.”
What if the server is watching over your shoulder as you figure out the tip?
Ask him or her to walk away for the moment, Ricci said.
Should you leave a credit card tip or cash tip?
Murphy said servers prefer cash tips. But Ricci said some servers prefer card tips so their paycheck is bigger. “Cash vs. credit is an ongoing debate,” he said.
What if the friend you’re splitting the check with doesn’t want to tip the same amount as you?
Salas said each party does not have to tip the same amount. “It is their prerogative. You do what feels right for you, that includes adding to your part of the tip if you feel the server deserves it.”