Tipping Etiquette. Who do I give to and how much?

Canadian ignorant to the American tipping procedures.

What % do I give to cabbies, waitresses, buffet servers.

Does the valet get tipped at drop off and pick-up or just once?

Who else should a tip?

I want to try to not get labeled a ';cheap Canadian'; on this trip.

Tipping Etiquette. Who do I give to and how much?

Great attitude DavidBrent, much appreciated and I%26#39;ve oft not found Canadiens to be bad tippers, do not despair!

from the Inside pages -

Inside United States: Tipping %26amp; Etiquette

Reminder and Warning: This information is highly contested, confusing by nature and is by no means official. Visitors to the US are advised to verify these matters against other sources of information.

Restaurants with table service: Tip 15% of the bill, based on the quality of service. If you receive exceptional service, 15-20% is customary. 15% - 18% is often automatically charged for a large party (six or more). In the U.S., tips are expected in restaurants - servers are given a very low wage in the expectation they will receive a tip from each table.

Unlike many countries, service is usually not included in the bill with the exception of large parties (typically six or more people). If you%26#39;re with a large party, be sure to check your bill just in case. If the tip is included, the breakdown of the bill will read ';gratuity';, which means that a tip is already included. If the tip is on the bill, but you cannot figure out if it was a 15% or 18% tip included and you wished to tip 20%, ask what the percentage of tip was and feel free to make up the additional amount. As always, if you feel you did not receive 15% service, inform the management before paying your bill and have it adjusted to the adequate amount.

In most states, a meals tax is applied to the bill and is clearly indicated as such on the bill or check. In those states where the meals tax is 5% (Massachusetts as an example) or 6% it is simple to calculate the tip by rounding the tax up or down to the nearest dollar and then multiplying by three.

For buffet restaurants with limited table service, a tip of 10% to 15% of the bill is still recommended because the servers typically work harder keeping the buffet line stocked and clean. Also, the minimum tip should be $1 per person, do not leave only 75 cents for a $5.00 buffet. As always, if you feel you have not been well-served, adjust the gratuity down. If a tip has been added to your bill beforehand because your party was 6 or more, but the server was inadequate or rude, inform the manager immediately before you pay your bill that you want the tip adjusted.

Counter service/fast food restaurants often have tip jars out, but you are not required to tip. If the service is exemplary or unusual requests are made, then tips are expected.

Other optional tipping situations common to travelers include:

Hotel housekeeping/maid service: $2-3 per night up to $5, more in high-end hotels. Also more if there are more than 3 people in a room or suite. Leave the tip on your pillow with a note that says thank you. If you have additional items delivered to your room, such as extra pillows, hangers, luggage racks, tip the person who brings them $2 or $3.

Concierge: For general advice and restaurant reservations tipping is not expected. However, for any special, individual, or unusual service, it is appreciated.

In-suite dining waiter: Always read the bill, if there is a tip included, it will be on the bill breakdown. Ask the server. The policy of having the gratuity included in the bill is not the norm anymore. A service charge or convenience fee goes to the hotel, not the server. If there is no gratuity added, tip the server 15% - 18%.

Bellman/porter: $1-2 per bag.

Taxi Driver: 10-15% of fare, based on service.

Hotel limo driver for a ';comped'; ride from the airport, $10 - $20

Drink Server in a casino or bar: $1-$2 per drink. Some tip $5 for the first drink to make sure the waitress ';remembers'; them and returns often...

Valet Parkers - when picking up car: $2 - $5.

Dealers at Table Games in the Casinos: 5% of bet amount at end of session, or occasional bet for dealer in amount of your normal wager-dealer can show you where to place bet. You could announce ';I have a $xx bet for the dealers, where do you want it?';. The bet is usually placed in front of the player%26#39;s bet. If you%26#39;re concerned about having your bets rated for comps, place the additional bet on top of your own and tell the dealer that part of your bet is in play for the dealer and as long as your hands keep winning, keep toking the dealer with the winnings from that portion of the bet. The initial bet amount would be $1 - $5.

Slot machines host : $10-20 if they make a hand payout (over $1000).

Spa : For a massage or other treatment, 10% - 20%. Ask if the tip has been included, some spas will include a gratuity on your final bill. Most spas will provide you with an envelope to leave at the reception desk for the person who gave you your treatment. Also, if you wish to leave a small gratuity for the spa attendent who showed you around the Spa and got you situated, it is well appreciated, $2 to $5.

Hairdresser/manicurist etc. : 10% - 20%.

Showroom captains: $1-2 for the person who seats you, more if you asked for ';special'; seating - $20 for a requested booth or table, more for one up front. Unfortunately this is where the fine line between tipping and bribery meet...

Tipping Etiquette. Who do I give to and how much?

Some of that info is accurate while some of it is absolutely ridiculous. Ignore what its says about tipping dealers - its insane.

';Servers'; at buffets are basically panhandlers - they don%26#39;t so anything to warrant a tip. Throw %26#39;em a buck or two at most.

Maids aren%26#39;t performing a tipped job. There are a lot of bleeding hearts on this forum who will try to guilt you into leaving a big tip for them. They feel better about not leaving a tip by inducing others to do it for them. If you%26#39;re feeling generous, a buck or two is the max.

I imagine open wide gets great service. Dealers, Maids, Waiter%26#39;s and valets live off tips.

In the early 80%26#39;s it was customary for adults who travel to leave $1 PER person, per night for the housekeeper. That%26#39;s over 20 years ago, so please take inflation into account and I know this is common practice in the Maritimes and Quebec also. You came here for advice, unfortunately you may get too much of it!

In the early 80%26#39;s it was customary for adults who travel to leave $1 PER person, per night for the housekeeper. That%26#39;s over 20 years ago, so please take inflation into account and I know this is common practice in the Maritimes and Quebec also. You came here for advice, unfortunately you may get too much of it!

Hello kettle- I%26#39;m the cat and I%26#39;m calling you black. Bleeding hearts on here- with a picture of hilary- very interesting....

As far as the dealers- it is at the players choice on what to do. If you are betting say $10 on each bet- you may want to bet about 10 $1 bets for the dealer over the course of 60-90 minutes of play (Dependind on how you are doing).

As far as the waitress- They basically do more than the cocktail waitress- both bring your drink, but at least the waitress at the buffet is taking away your dirty dishes. She is basically doing everything for you other than you going to the buffet and selecting what you want. You should tip 10-12% on the buffet as appose to 15-18% for normal sit down restaurants.

I actually tend to agree alittle bit on the maid part.

I would not lable the cabbies as a straight percentage- say the fare is $6.30- a 70 cent tip will get you a screwed up look.

Foxywood is right about all the typical tipping procedures.

The buffet servers normally do get about $1 per person. They really don%26#39;t do a lot, and they aren%26#39;t the ones cleaning/stocking the buffet line. The majority of the time I can%26#39;t even find my server. All they do is get drinks and chat with their friends.

You absolutely tip maids, and foxywood%26#39;s info is correct, but they do tend to make a lot more than other tipped employees. I know many casinos start at $15 an hour, unlike dealers and servers who make minimum wage.

Many years ago I was a maid in a high end place as a teenager and I never saw a tip (years later I figured out the supervisors stole it as I was 16 and none of us ever saw it and supervisors checked rooms before they handed them out) - so since I never got nothing - I don%26#39;t tip much and these are not waitress job or dealer jobs where they make less than minimum wage. Waitresses and dealers do depend on your tips for a living and I do tip them well. Dealers I do more than place a bet - I tip win or lose, If I%26#39;m winning they get significantly more and for wins on a slot machine that are significant into the thousands I have tipped up to a few hundred. I believe in what comes around goes around so just IMO - some of this is what you feel comfortable with and it%26#39;s not set in stone. If someone is a B#**# I might not give them anything on the casino floor.

What would most consider as an appropriate tip for the driver of a limo that I%26#39;ve hired? (The assumption is that the driver is merely an employee of the limo company rather than the owner/driver of the limo). I will be arriving in town late next week and will be hiring a limo to take my party of three from the airport directly to Bellagio. No extras, just three guys with minimal luggage to handle.

I%26#39;m with foxy and midgetmama on this . . . and I respect you, David, for wanting to be appropriate.