15 percent — if only tipping was that easy.
It seems everyone these days is looking for a tip — the pizza boy, the cab driver, the guy who carries your luggage at the airport.
On my senior cruise in high school, it seemed I could not even get a soft drink without having to tip someone.
With all the different services I received while traveling, I felt totally in the dark on how and when to tip.
There are no real laws to follow when it comes to tipping.
You need to be prepared for all situations. The worst thing you can do is leave the bellboy hanging because you did not know better. He might “accidentally” lose your luggage next time.
The main thing to remember when tipping is, instead of getting what you pay for, you are paying for what you got. The tip you give someone solely should be calculated based on the degree of service you received.
One of the most common tipping situations concerns a waiter at a restaurant.
People have come up with shortcuts for tipping servers. I was taught to simply double the tax. The Web site www.tipping.org sells convenient tipping cards with a tipping chart listed.
The truth is, waiters and waitresses in America usually expect and deserve a 15 percent tip unless the service was extraordinarily horrible, according to the American Society of Travel Agents.
If the service is that bad, leave a minimal tip and see the manager.
Good waiters who extend excellent service should receive about 20 percent of the total bill, ASTA said.
When I think of excellent service, I think of two words: customer satisfaction. A good server works quickly and efficiently to make sure I have everything I need.
Always make sure gratuity is not already added to the check, especially with large groups. You can look at the subtotal for the bill to see if tip is added already.
Web site www.tipping.org recommends giving $1 to $5 to the pizza boy or other delivery people.
When traveling, make sure to carry change and small bills. At virtually every step of the traveling process, there will be someone waiting to lend a hand and receive a couple bucks in return.
At the airport or train station, there undoubtedly will be someone willing to haul your 70-pound bag through the terminal. The average tip for him is a buck a bag, said ASTA.
Parking attendants who do not total your vehicle usually expect a dollar or two upon delivery, said ASTA.
For taxi and limo drivers, ASTA recommends tipping 10 to 15 percent of the fare. More can be given if he “steps on it” and dodges through rush hour traffic to get you to your destination on time.
Do not forget your hotel maids. Although you usually do not see them work, they enjoy a tip as much as the next guy. According to ASTA, a dollar a night is sufficient.
You can leave the maid’s tip in a conspicuous place in a clearly marked envelope.
Taking a tour of Louisiana swamps? According to ASTA, the going tip rate for tour guides is $1 for a half-day tour and $2 for a full-day tour. Tip a private guide more, they said.
Tipping is not limited to America. It is a worldwide practice.
Tipping at least 10 percent for most services is a common practice in Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Honk Kong, Germany, Japan, Britain, France and even Saudi Arabia, tipping.org said.
The rule of thumb is if someone renders special service to you, you can show your appreciation with a tip.