Tipping in America

It has never been 10%. My mum's family lived/lives in New York and we used to visit. I texted mum to be sure and she says that back in the 1980s and 1990s it was 15% standard (or just double the sales tax) or 20% for good service. Sometime in the 2000s it went to 20% as standard. Now some people are trying to push 25% as standard but they are mostly, as the youth here say, delulu.

When places went to touch screens they started putting tip options in on everything and there's quite a lot of backlash. It used to just be a tip jar on the counter at the coffee shop, not an option on the payment screen.

And yes, there is a segment of servers who love the tip system as they make out very, very well. Some high end restaurants were trying no-tip policies, and Covid made them go back to tips as no one would work for a flat wage. If you are at a nice restaurant, especially where people drink, you can really make a lot of money. On the other hand, if you're working at a diner or similar, you're not getting massive tips on people's coffee and eggs.

The consensus of North Americans (I include Canadians here as while they are not as huge tippers as Americans, they do tip) is that if you can't afford the tip, you can't afford to eat there.

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I haven’t been to the USA in 20 years but I do remember that eating out was cheaper than in London so adding on the tip didn’t seem too bad. Presumably if wages are so low, the price of the goods themselves are also still lower.

Don't tip housekeeping at the end of stay. The cleaners may not work every day or may be shifted around. The person getting one big tip at the end of a stay may not have done the work.
Leave the tip in cash each and every day. Somewhere obvious like the pillow. We usually write a "thanks for your work!" note so they are sure it is for them.
Ffs, I am amazed anyone needs to be told this.

I've only been to the US once and that was years ago. Knew about tipping in bars and more than we normally would in restaurants so that was fine albeit a bit stressful trying to get it right and feeling really awkward in bars. Never heard of tipping in the hotel room. So you can be amazed if you want to but it isn't obvious to me.

The first time we went to the US we didn't realise about tipping housekeeping and about halfway through our stay got a knock on the door from one of the staff asking if there was a problem with our room. We were a bit confused as the room was always spotless. Then did a bit of googling and was mortified. Tips from then on.

Just stick your do not disturb sign on and only have house keeping do your room once or twice rather than daily.
Top $2-3 instead of 5.

I've never tipped the housekeeping in the US and been many times

We have just returned from Florida. We have travelled across the USA a lot over the years.
Up until this year, New England was the most eye opening experience for tipping.
A Standard 20% was added to the bill and then requested an additional 7, 12 or 15% on top.
To be honest the actual customer service has declined dramatically. I honestly begrudged tipping for what was actually very mediocre service but they know you are going to tip so no need to even try.
A real disappointment.

If you’re on a tight budget Flashfood and too good to go might be useful.

American here. Except for when we went to Disney World, we have always taken care of our own bags. As for housekeeping, the problem with tipping at the end is that the housekeepers don't always have the same rooms, so on a five-day stay, you could have the same housekeeper for four of them and the day you check out, a different one, who has now gotten all the tip for themselves. Since we always need extra towels/washcloths etc., we tip daily and leave a note asking for the extra towels, etc. needed. I usually only tip a few dollars a day, but we also don't stay in super five-star hotels either.

I would love to see tipping taken out of the equation here, but it seems it would be a difficult road. Since Covid, restaurants have had to really up their pay rate for waitstaff. Many/most around here advertise $15-18/per hour. BUT, the waitstaff still want a 20%+ tip on top. Smaller, family restaurants haven't upped their wages like the chains and since their prices are usually more reasonable, and the place smaller, we tip more there than other places. But, I freely admit that it bugs me now to have places expect a 20%+ tip when the bill is always $100+ for food that was 1/3-1/2 cheaper pre-Covid, and you see the waiter having 5 tables. Most patrons spend about an hour and a half or less at a restaurant around here, so the wait staff are making bank and none I know or have talked to want to get rid of the tipping, even if they were to make $20-22/hour.

If you're paying for family-sized hotel rooms in NYC and Boston I really doubt that USD100 is going to put much of a dent in your budget.

For goodness sake @User74893677 you are getting your flights for free. If you’re worried about an extra $100 on tips then may I respectfully advise that this New York trip is not for you.

of course you are being unreasonable to think it's ok not to tip.

if you travel, be respectful of other cultures and social norms. it's not that difficult

Wait staff are often on tip wage which can be as low as $2.13.

Restaurants that do that are greedy as Hell in my view!

Tipping in the US is getting out of hand, even self service machines ask for a tip - don’t add it!

Hotel generally you’ll be fine not tipping unless the concierge brings your luggage to your room. Even so, if you confidently smile and wish them a good day, they won’t stand and demand a tip. But I’d say take your own luggage or tip. Luggage storage - it’s a no from me. Housekeeping is up to you. Considering most hotels charge a daily resort fee now, I consider that the tip money.
In restaurants it’s customary to tip 20%, same with Taxi’s.
In coffee shops, again I never do & know locals who only tip on occasion of exceptional service or when the outlet is rammed.

I completely disagree with this. If you can't afford the tip, you can't afford the restaurant, cab or hotel. No matter how nice you are, the employees can't pay their bills with sincerity and respect.

I hate the tipping culture too but it's absolutely expected in America. The going rate is 20% these days and I've heard that some waiters will confront you if you give less than that.

New York in April is too cold for picnics! If you're intending to cook please also be reminded that their fresh produce costs significantly more than in the UK.

Some restaurants also add service fees to the bill.

ktla.com/news/local-news/restaurants-are-now-twice-as-likely-to-charge-a-service-fee-but-where-does-the-money-go/

The employees only offer their help because it's assumed you are going to pay them, and you definitely have the option to refuse and carry your own luggage. You can even refuse housekeeping services and tidy your own room, if that's what you want to do. It's just like any other person who is trying to sell something. I assume you're able to decline offers to sell you something you can't afford in your home town, right, even if the seller is disappointed?

I tip whatever round number is around 20% but if that means the total bill comes to a strange number like $34.47 then I round down, not up, so I might be tipping more like 19.5%, not 20.5%. In general, as long as I tip above 18% I feel comfortable. There has been a move to convince people that 20% is the minimum tip in the USA, (i.e. what you tip for "meh" service) and that the correct tip for Good Service is 25% or even 30%. There has also been a backlash to this effort as people find it makes eating at restaurants so unaffordable that they just don't bother to go to restaurants.

Minimum wage in New York State has gone up over 70% in the last decade. It's currently $15.50 (16.50 in NYC).

In Massachusetts it's gone up 66% to $15.

A PP asked about the chef etc when tipping in a restaurant… When you tip in a restaurant the server “tips out” so their coworkers- the bussers, chefs, dishwashers, hostess etc all receive a portion of the tip.

@User74893677 I hate to break it to you but you won’t be keeping the costs down by buying groceries in the US! Groceries are EYEWATERINGLY expensive in the us. Honestly it's insane