Money Saving Tips on Tipping

There was a time when tipping was not as complicated as it can be today. In our society there are so many rules and expectations that it is sometimes difficult to know what is expected when it comes to gratuities. Who gets them and how much is appropriate? In some cases it is quite obvious who gets a tip, however in other situations the lines become blurred. It is important to know when a tip is expected and how much should be given to save money during your day-to-day outings. Here we look at some common issues surrounding tipping, reducing confusion and saving you more money.
 

First you have to determine who gets tips and how much is considered appropriate. Naturally unless your gratuity is included in your bill, you have the final say in how much you are comfortable tipping but the following guideline can be helpful when you are in doubt.
 
Hotel Staff- If you are traveling for business or leisure and hotel stays are a part of your trip, expect to shell out some cash to hotel staff. Depending on the level of service offered, your tips could be minimal or expensive. If you are staying at a top-notch property and using the amenities offered, anticipate tipping the hotel porter ($2-3 per bag), room service ($2 if gratuity included, 20 percent if not), housekeeping ($2-5 per day).
 
Wait Staff- It is fairly important to understand tipping of wait staff as many of these individuals earn most of their income through tips. Remember that the server is not the person cooking the meal, therefore your tip should not represent how you felt about the meal in general, rather the service. Depending on the type of restaurant you are dining in, the gratuity should range from 13-20 percent of the bill. If you are part of a large group who has languished over the meal for some time, consider tipping twice the amount. In many cases, tips are shared by all wait staff, it is considered polite to leave some type of tip, even if the service was not exactly stupendous. It is up to you if you want to tip for takeout or add to tip jars.
 
Salon and Spa Staff- Like wait staff, many salon and spa employees base their income on their tips. It is recommended that you tip 10-15 percent for massage therapist, 10-20 percent for the hairstylist and 15 percent for treatments such as manicures and facials.
 
This covers some of the basic situations when tips are expected, however there are dozens of other scenarios where a tip would be appropriate. Remember it is up to you what you feel comfortable tipping and in many cases your tip should reflect the level of service you have received.