The Art of Tipping: A Global Guide
Tipping, or leaving a gratuity, is a common practice to show appreciation for good service. However, the customs and expectations can vary dramatically around the world. What's considered standard in the USA might be surprising in India, and vice-versa. A tip calculator is a handy tool to navigate these situations with confidence, ensuring you leave an appropriate amount every time.
Tipping Etiquette in the USA
In the United States, tipping is deeply ingrained in the culture and is often a significant portion of a service worker's income. Minimum wages for tipped employees are often lower than the standard minimum wage, with the expectation that tips will make up the difference.
- Restaurants (Sit-down): 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard. It's often easiest to find this pre-tax amount on your bill before any sales tax is added. 18% is a common default, with 20% or more for excellent service.
- Bartenders: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the total tab.
- Food Delivery: 10-15% of the bill, or a few dollars for smaller orders.
- Hairdressers & Barbers: 15-20% is typical. If you're using a coupon or a discount, it's customary to tip on the original price of the service.
- Taxi/Rideshare: 10-20% of the fare.
Using a split bill calculator is also common when dining with friends to easily divide the total cost, including the tip.
Tipping Customs in India
In India, tipping is more discretionary and less standardized. While it's not always expected, it is widely appreciated as a gesture of thanks for good service. There is often a "service charge" included in the bill at many restaurants, which is not the same as a tip (it's part of the restaurant's revenue). If a service charge is included, an additional tip is not necessary, but you can still leave a small amount for exceptional service.
- Restaurants: If no service charge is added, a tip of 7-10% is customary. Some diners prefer to leave a round cash amount, like ₹100 or ₹200.
- Hotel Staff: Small tips for bellhops (₹50-100) and housekeeping are appreciated.
- Food Delivery: A small tip of ₹20-50 is a nice gesture.
- Taxis/Auto-rickshaws: Not usually expected, but rounding up the fare is common.
A gratuity calculator can still be useful in India, especially in tourist areas or high-end establishments where tipping is more common. For more on local customs, resources like the Times of India often cover lifestyle and etiquette topics.