In the September 17, 2014, The Daily Campus had an article on “UConn Drivers Address Low Tippers, Discourteous Dorms”.  After reading this article, it is apparent that food delivery drivers are frustrated with the monetary tips they are receiving when they deliver food to students.  Several drivers estimated the average tip on campus at around two dollars, while drivers who deliver to homes in Mansfield or elsewhere see a 150 percent increase for an average tip of roughly five dollars.

 

Many international visitors are astonished to discover that Americans working in restaurants, hotels, tour guides, taxi and limo drivers, bus drivers and tour guides, barbershops, beauty salons are all expecting an additional revenue source called “the tips or gratuities”. Since the service sector wages are rather low, these workers are expecting an added incentive to produce better service. For example, most waitress and waiters make the lowest possible hourly wages; many are not even receiving minimum wages because the understanding is that the amount of the tip will compensate the difference between the minimum wage and the actual work.

 

Many years ago, an international student took a taxi from Kennedy Airport to our campus, some 150 miles away and the taxi fare was $275 dollars, including the toll charges. The taxi driver was very courteous, talking to the student about the student’s home country, stopping at two rest areas along the way and even helping the student unload his luggage. The student quickly realized all the extra service he was receiving and thought he would be generous.  At the end of the trip, he profusely thanked the driver,    shook the taxi drivers hand and generously gave the taxi driver a $5.00 tip which infuriated the taxi driver who used some “unspoken words in his native language” and sped off leaving the international student puzzled. The international student could not figure out why was the taxi driver so upset?  In his country, a five dollar tip was very generous but this was not obvious to a New York taxi driver from the Bronx!

The international student could not possibly have known that an American taxi driver expects at least a 20% tip for all the additional service he provided the student.  This additional service included:  stopping twice, so that student could relieve himself the first time and for getting food the second time, loading and unloading travel suitcase that weighed at least 100 pounds each. The taxi driver was expecting at least a $50 tip.

 

First Lesson:  Before entering a taxi, always ask for an estimated cost for the trip. This will prevent an embarrassing situation later on.

On another occasion, an international student was taking a special tour bus to Niagara Falls and the bus driver was very pleasant, telling the people on the bus about the sites they were viewing, stopping the bus at the various restaurants and rest stops along the way.  The bus driver was very courteous and pleasant fellow. At the end of the trip, the bus driver informed the people on the bus that tips would be appreciated as the cost of the tour did not include gratuities and that he would appreciate any tips. The student did not  carrying any cash, just a credit card and his bank book, so when he got off the bus he gave the bus driver a big hug, shook his hand and thanked him.  Usually, bus tour operators receive at least 15% of the tour price or at least, $1-$2 for a half day tour, $3-$4 for a full day tour or $5-$10 for a week tour (this is per person).  

  

Second Lesson: Always carrying some cash, usually twenty dollars, single and five dollar bills, with you when you travel.

 

Here are some other suggestions on tipping:

 

1         At restaurants, always tip on the pre-taxed amount and not the post amount of the bill. Some restaurants try to help you and provide you the amount of the tip for 15%, 18% or 20% but this amount is based on the post amount of the bill which includes the tax. Use your own figures.

2         If you hold a table for two serving periods, more than two hours, you should double tip the waiter because he would have gotten more money if you only sat for one serving period.

3         The hotel maid should receive $3-5 a day for cleaning your room.  You usually leave the tip on the pillow.  Hotel maids are one of the lowest paid individuals who work in a hotel.

4         People who handle your baggage at the airport, train station or hotel usually get $1-2 a bag.

5         Barbers received $2-3, Hair stylist or color specialist 10-20% and $3-5 for extra service, manicure or facial 15%.

6. Tipping on gift certificates or coupons is always based upon the normal price of the good or service.
7. Tip jars.  You see these everywhere from Starbucks to fast food restaurants, pizza parlors to donut shops. The rule of thumb is that if they do not bring the food to your table and keep your drinks refilled then you do not have to tip.

 

You earned your money and you have the right to reward people who serve you well but always remember the person who is serving you, she or he has reward expectations of their service to you.

 

Bob Chudy