Our culture doesn't seem to have a definitive set of tipping guidelines. As a result, tipping is a frequent source of confusion and awkwardness.
While most of us know that it's appropriate to tip our server at a restaurant, the tipping etiquette isn't always clear on whether to tip the hotel concierge, funeral chaplain or dog groomer.
If you leave a tip, how large should it be? Is 20 percent an across-the-board solution? Will your tip leave you looking like Donald Trump or Ebenezer Scrooge? Are there situations where tipping isn't necessary?
This list of tipping suggestions from Bankrate should help you answer these questions as well as give you specific gratuity guidelines.
Cash for the hotel staff
Thomas Farley, a New York-based manners expert for WhatMannersMost.com, says be prepared for a variety of tips at hotels. If the hotel is a five-star property, the service expectations are greater and the tip should be, too.
Farley's suggestions:
- Hotel porter toting your bags: $2 to $3 per bag.
- Room service with gratuity included on the bill: $2.
- Room service without gratuity included: 20 percent of the charge.
- Toiletry/towel delivery: $2.
- Doorman if he hails your cab: $2 to $5.
- Concierge after guest's request: $5 to $15, depending on how difficult the task is (like procuring sold-out theater tickets).
- Housekeeping: $2 to $5 per day.
Etiquette coach and trainer Constance Hoffman, of Social and Business Graces Inc. in Los Angeles, says, "Don't leave the maid's tip on the nightstand as that has sexual connotations. Instead, put it on the desk or a counter."
