To Tip Or Not To Tip (And How Much)

Some situations are obvious tipping situations (waiter, bartender, food delivery, etc.), but what about the grayer areas (barbers, restaurant takeout, car wash)? Today we're discussing tipping on the 98 Country Morning Show. Here's a tipping guide and more:

I found a good article on tipping at WaitButWhy.com. It suggests the following factors should play a role in your tipping decisions:

1. Time: Pouring a cup of coffee takes less effort than making a latte.
2. Effort: Opening a beer takes less time than mixing fancy drinks.
3. Salary:  Some workers (like waiters & bartenders) usually make a minimal wage, with tips expected to make up the balance of their income.
4. Service:  While completely stiffing poor service is not cool, up-tipping for great service is cool.

According to EmilyPost.com, here are the suggested tipping guidelines:

• Wait service (full-service):  15-20%
• Wait service (buffet): 10%
• Host/hostess: No obligation for greeting you and showing you to your table, but $10-$20 for going above and beyond to find you a table on a busy night or on a special occasion.
• Take out food: No obligation, but 10% would be nice for a large, complicated order.
• Home delivered food: 10-15% of the bill, $2-5 for pizza delivery depending on the size of the order and difficulty of delivery.
• Bartender: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the tab.
• Tip jars: No obligation. Tip occasionally if your server or barista provides a little something extra or if you are a regular customer.
• Valet: $2-$5. Tip when the car is returned to you.
• Taxi driver: 15-20% of the fare, but minimally $1. $2 for the first bag, $1 for the second.
• Housekeeper: $2-$5 per day, left daily with a note marked "Housekeeping - Thank you."
• Hair salon: 15-20%, ask to be split among those who served you.
• Manicurist: 15-20%.
• Facial, waxing, massage: 15-20%

Here's what some 98 Country listeners have to say:

• DAVE: I tip based on level service 100% of the time.
• RENEE: Being a waitress made me a better tipper. Walking in someone's shoes will make you appreciate what they go through and what they have to do to make a living.
• JULIE: I always tip my massage therapist & hair dresser.
• JOAN: I'm a seamstress and I work hard -- should I be tipped?
• JERRY: Don't forget the mailman & garbage men.
• PATTY: I manage a restaurant, and always tell my servers that it's ALL about attitude. Create a wonderful experience for the customer and the tips will follow.
• JESSICA: Please don't forget hotel housekeepers.
• CRYSTAL: Having worked for tips myself, I tip 99.9% of the time. Unless I get bad service, I will give at least 15%. I start with the 15% and deduct 1% from it for each thing that they may not have done correctly. The amount of their tip totally depends on them. Very rarely will I give nothing. If you can't afford to tip then you shouldn't be going out in the first place.
• TIMOTHY: I was a cook at nice place waitresses got tipped for my good and quick food , and they never shared the tips.
• MATTIE: People that dont tip drive me over the edge!! Quit being a tight wad and tip the person if they made your food or brought you food! Did you make the food? Drive to go get it? No, so tip the people that did!
• MARY: I tip above and beyond!! I Always tip $20 no matter what my bar tab is. Our Friday night Happy Hour Bartender is fun, hard working and always on it!!
• CRAIG: My general rule of thumb is this. If they only do their job, I only pay the bill! I am a generous tipper for those that earn it. The one that really irritates me is when I travel, which I do for work, and order delivery to a hotel. They will often bring you your order. No napkins. No silverware. To a hotel. Think about that...