In a trip to the United States, one must get used to certain rules that may seem strange to those arriving from other countries. One of the most important occurs when paying in restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels, or hair salons, where the tip is part of the consumption and can increase the final expense.
The amount is not the same across all sectors, and there is no single rule for calculating it. The percentages depend on the service received, and in some establishments, the tip is already included in the bill. Therefore, knowing these differences allows for better budget management and avoiding overpayment.
Is it mandatory to leave a tip in the United States?
Although there is no general law requiring consumers to leave a tip every time they receive a service, in many sectors of the United States, it functions as a deeply ingrained social practice, mainly because most workers depend on that money.
Waiters, hotel staff, taxi drivers, hosts, and other customer service employees are part of the groups where this additional payment is common. Therefore, leaving a restaurant with table service without leaving anything can be interpreted as a signal that the service was poor, to the point that the worker might ask the consumer what they did wrong.
In any case, before leaving a tip, one should check the receipt, as some places automatically include a concept identified as "Tip" or "Gratuity", especially under certain circumstances. When it is not included, the receipt usually has a space for the customer to write the amount. Tips can also be paid by card, although many advise giving it in cash so that the worker can receive it instantly.
It is important to note that not all businesses expect this type of payment; for example, in fast food establishments or places where orders are placed directly at a counter, it is not usually applied with the same logic as in a restaurant with table service.
Recommended Percentage Guide by Sector
The amounts vary according to the type of service and establishment, so it is best to know the most common references in the United States to avoid always calculating the same percentage and losing money.
For standard service, the recommendation is between 15% and 20% of the total bill, but it is most common to leave 20% in dining establishments. When the service is considered extraordinary, many people tend to leave a percentage of 25% in gratitude. However, it is always necessary to check first if the bill already includes the additional charge before adding another amount.
In bars, there are two common ways to calculate it, as in cases where the consumption is low, one can leave between $1 and $2 for each round or drink. On the other hand, if paying a full bill, it is also common to leave between 15% and 20% of the total, as in dining establishments.
Although much of the service is self-service, there are also cases where a tip is left. If an employee brings drinks or attends to the table, it is common to leave between 10% and 20%. When almost everything is the customer's responsibility, one can leave $1 or $2 per diner.
For taxi rides, the percentage is usually 15% of the fare. The same calculation applies to valet service, although the amount may increase when the service was particularly good.
In these establishments, it is recommended to leave a higher percentage when the customer is satisfied with the result. Most people tend to leave between 20% and 25% of the total service value.
For treatments in spas or aesthetic clinics, the recommended range is between 15% and 20%. This calculation can be made on the final price of the procedure received.
One of the most common situations occurs when a hotel employee transports luggage to the room. In these cases, it is recommended to leave between $2 and $5, depending on the number of bags and the service received.
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