How To Use Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is a normal -- and often expected -- part of today's service industries, but as a consumer you may not always be sure who to tip and how much. Here are some basic guidelines on tipping etiquette:

1. Tip for a job -- any job -- well done. There are no rules that are set in stone when it comes to tipping. If you're unsure if tipping is appropriate for the service performed, go with your gut instinct. Even if your neighbor doesn't tip the newspaper delivery person, if you think he does a great job, then go ahead and include a tip with your payment.
2. Restaurant tipping. A 15 to 20 percent tip is the usual amount that should be left for good restaurant service. Keep in mind that you should leave 15 to 20 percent of the total bill, before tax, and before any coupons or discounts are taken off. If you received bad service, it is appropriate to reflect your displeasure by leaving a lesser tip. But keep in mind that your server may have been having a bad day or the kitchen may have been slow. It is not the server's fault if the chef overcooks your food, so be sure to take all considerations into mind before you leave a reduced tip. If the service was really bad, it's best to talk quietly with a manager about the problem. And remember to check your bill -- most high-end restaurants automatically add in an 18 percent gratuity for larger parties, so your tip amount may already be added into the bill if you go out with a large group.
3. Beauty salons. Salon and spa tipping should generally be the same as restaurant tipping -- 15 to 20 percent. However, if you go to a high-end salon where there is a separate shampooist, it is customary to tip the shampooist a few dollars as well. If several people assist you at the salon or spa, you should leave a separate tip for each person (the stylist, the masseuse, the manicurist, etc.).
4. Furniture delivery. This is a tricky area, as most people are unsure what the proper tipping etiquette is for furniture deliveries. In general, a ten dollar tip per delivery person is appropriate for most furniture deliveries. Since you most likely won't know head of time how many delivery people will be coming to your house, have at least 4 ten dollar bills on hand. Tip a little more if the delivery men do extra, like set up a bed or put together a piece of furniture. If the delivery men are unprofessional, don't feel as though you have to tip them.
   
5. Flower delivery. What do you do if some unexpected flowers arrive at your door and you don't have any cash? Since a flower delivery is usually for a gift, it is not mandatory to tip. However, if you have a few dollars on hand, it's appropriate to tip the delivery person a couple of dollars.
6. Bars and coffee shops. Generally, if you receive good service, you should leave a tip of 10 to 15 percent of your total bill at a bar or a coffee shop. If you aren't running a tab, it is appropriate to leave your bartender a dollar tip per drink. And what about those dreaded "tip jars" that you see on coffee shop counters? This is a matter of personal opinion, but if you are given change, it's a nice gesture to toss it into the jar, provided you received really good service.
7. Taxis. Use the 15 percent tip rule for taxi cab drivers, too. You should leave a tip of 15 percent of your cab fare -- and leave a little more if the driver does something extra, like helps you with your bags.
8. Quick tip calculating . Lousy at math? Some people carry small calculators or tipping charts to figure out the amount that they should tip. You can also try this quick tip: If the bill is $42.00, just figure out what 10 percent of 42 is ($4.20) and double that to get $8.40. $8.40 would be a 20 percent tip -- in this case you could leave anywhere from 8 to 9 dollars for really good service.

In general, think about the service performed -- and how well it was performed-- and always tip accordingly.