We often rely on everyday services such as taxis, restaurants and takeaway delivery. Whether it's a long-term arrangement or a one-off interaction, tipping is a great way to show our appreciation and to let the service provider know that we highly value their efforts.
But how much should you tip? What should you consider when deciding whether or not to tip? How do you know if you’re tipping too little or too much?
In this article, we aim to answer these questions and provide a comprehensive guide to tipping for different services, from taxis to takeaways. We provide helpful tips on how to determine the right amount to leave as a gratuity, as well as the etiquette and customs that are associated with each type of service. Read on to discover how you can make sure those who provide essential services feel appreciated and respected.
Taxis can be a great option when you need transportation quickly and conveniently. Tipping taxi drivers is a great way to show our appreciation for the service they provide.
Ideally you should tip at least 10-15% of the total fare (or a few extra dollars) for a short distance cab ride or around $2-$3 plus 10-15% for a ride longer than 8-10 miles. In certain countries such as the US, you can even tip your driver with a credit card. Be sure to check out the tipping policies of the country you’re in before you leave your tip. Alternatively, you can also leave a tip in cash as most taxi drivers prefer cash payments.
When eating out in a restaurant it’s polite to leave a tip of 10-15% of the total bill. This is the most common tipping custom, however, tips may be higher for good service or if the restaurant is particularly pricey. Typically you can just leave the tip in cash directly to the waiter or waitress, or you can leave it on the credit card you paid with.
For food orders coming to your home, tipping the delivery driver is always a nice gesture. If you feel the driver has gone above and beyond their duties, you can tip a bit extra. Generally you should tip around 10-15%, but also consider the price of the order and the distance the driver had to travel.
When you pick up takeaway orders from a restaurant, the usual custom is to leave a tip of 10-15%, if you are paying with a credit card. Alternatively, you can leave the tip in cash directly to the person taking your order.
When hiring either a one-off cleaner or a scheduled service, such as housekeeping, the standard tip is around 10-15%. This is usually enough to show your appreciation to the cleaner and also cover the cost of supplies and extra equipment if needed.
Sometimes there are other services you may need that may not be as common, for example, a babysitter. The first thing you should do is to ask around and find out what the usual expectations are as everyone has different standards and expectations.
If there’s no standard amount, or you’re still not sure, you can simply factor in the hours, difficulty of the task and their qualifications or level of expertise. For instance, if you hire a pet sitter, you should consider the needs of the pet, the special skills the pet sitter may possess and any extra effort they rendered.
In conclusion, tipping is a custom that is widely practiced across different industries and services. While standards do exist in certain situations, it’s important to have an understanding of local customs and take into account relevant factors before tipping in order to show your appreciation in the most appropriate manner. Tipping should also depend on the quality of the service and how much it is appreciated.
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