Avery Collins
Tipping culture varies across the world. In the United States, tipping is expected and is often factored into a service worker's compensation. In other countries, such as Japan, tipping is considered offensive. In Europe, tipping is not expected but is appreciated. The percentage of the tip also varies depending on the type of restaurant and the level of service received. For example, in fine dining establishments, it is customary to tip between 18% to 25% of the total bill. On the other hand, in fast-casual restaurants, 10% is considered polite, especially if staff bring food to the table. At breakfast, opinions vary on the appropriate amount to tip, with some sources suggesting 10%, while others recommend 40%. When in doubt, it is always better to tip more rather than less to show appreciation for good service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage to tip for breakfast | 10-20% |
| Percentage to tip at a restaurant | 15-20% for lunch, 20% for dinner |
| Percentage to tip for fast-casual restaurants | 10-15% |
| Percentage to tip for takeout | 10% |
| Percentage to tip for coffee | Less than $1 |
| Percentage to tip for a drink | $1 for beer, $2 for cocktails |
| Percentage to tip for fine dining | $1-3 for valet, 20% for wait staff |
| Percentage to tip for delivery | Minimum $1, 15% otherwise |
| Percentage to tip for hotel breakfast | $2-3 per day, $5-10 for the whole stay |
| Percentage to tip for a museum tour | $1-2 |
| Countries where tipping is mandatory or highly recommended | US |
| Countries where tipping is not expected but appreciated | Europe |
| Countries where tipping is considered offensive | Japan |
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What You'll Learn
Tipping etiquette in the US
Tipping culture has become an integral part of American culture, with many service workers relying on tips to make a living. While tipping is expected in the US, it is not always clear how much to tip in different situations. Here is a guide to help you navigate tipping etiquette in the US, with a focus on breakfast:
Breakfast at a Restaurant
If you are dining at a restaurant for breakfast, it is customary to tip your server. The general rule for tipping at restaurants is between 15% and 20% of the total bill. However, some people tip up to 25% for excellent service. If you are dining at a high-end restaurant, you may also encounter additional service charges on your bill, which are not the same as tips and may not go directly to the server. When in doubt, ask your server about these charges.
Breakfast Buffet or Counter Service
If you are eating at a breakfast buffet, where you serve yourself, tipping is not necessary. However, if there is a staff member preparing food for you, such as cooking eggs to order, it is polite to tip $1 per order or $2-$3 per day if you encounter the same staff member regularly. If you are ordering at a counter and the staff brings your food to the table, a 10% tip is considered appropriate.
Coffee Shops
Most coffee shops will have a tip jar, and it is customary to tip a small amount, usually less than $1. If you order a complicated drink or receive exceptional service, you may consider tipping $1 or more. If you receive change, you can also start a habit of putting that change into the tip jar.
Hotel Breakfast
If you are staying at a hotel that offers a free breakfast, tipping is not always necessary, especially if it is a buffet-style service. However, if there are attendants who refill the buffet, clear plates, or bring you coffee or eggs to your table, it is considerate to tip them. You can give $2-$3 per day or a larger amount on your last morning to show your appreciation.
Other Breakfast Options
For breakfast options like takeout or fast-casual restaurants, a 10% tip is generally considered polite. If someone goes out of their way to provide excellent service, you may want to increase the tip to show your gratitude.
Remember, while tipping is not mandatory, it is highly recommended in the US. Service workers often depend on tips as part of their compensation, and tipping is a way to show your appreciation for their hard work.
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Tipping for hotel breakfast
Tipping culture varies across the world. In some countries, like the United States, tipping is expected and often factored into a service worker's compensation. In other countries, like Japan, tipping is seen as insulting and can be interpreted as a bribe. Therefore, it is always good to research local customs before travelling.
When it comes to tipping for hotel breakfast, the amount you should leave depends on the level of service provided. If it is a buffet-style breakfast where you serve yourself, a tip is not usually expected. However, if there is an attendant who is tending to the buffet, making sure everything is replenished, and cleaning up, it is considerate to leave a tip. Some people suggest leaving $2-3 per day for the attendant, while others suggest $5-10 on the last morning of your stay. If there is someone at the buffet making eggs to order, it is customary to tip $1 per order.
If the hotel breakfast includes table service, where a server takes your order, brings your food and drinks, and clears your plates, the tipping etiquette is similar to that of a regular restaurant. In this case, a tip of 15-20% of the total bill is generally considered appropriate. If the service is particularly good, you may want to leave a little extra, upwards of 20%.
It is worth noting that tipping is entirely voluntary, but it can make a significant difference to those in the service industry, especially in countries like the United States where workers may depend on tips to make a living.
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Tipping at a counter vs table service
Tipping culture varies across countries and even within countries. In the United States, tipping is commonplace, and the general advice is to tip between 15% and 20% at restaurants. However, the percentage can vary based on factors such as the type of restaurant, the level of service, and even the time of day.
When it comes to counter service vs table service, the tipping expectations differ. For counter service, where you order and collect your food from the counter, tipping is not typically expected. This includes fast-food restaurants, counter-service restaurants, and takeout orders. While tipping is not required, counter-service workers will appreciate any tip given for exceptional service. These workers are likely already earning a full hourly wage, so the tip is purely a bonus for their efforts.
On the other hand, table service at a sit-down restaurant usually warrants a tip. This is because, in addition to taking your order and bringing your food, servers may also offer recommendations, refill drinks, and provide overall hospitality to enhance your dining experience. The standard tip for table service is around 15% for lunch and 20% for dinner, especially during busy periods. If you have a large or complicated order, it is considerate to tip on the higher end of the range.
It's worth noting that some restaurants include menu items like "Beers for the kitchen," which allows customers to tip the kitchen staff who are often behind-the-scenes. Additionally, some counter-service restaurants may have a tip jar, and while not mandatory, customers can choose to contribute, especially if they've received excellent service or are frequent visitors.
Ultimately, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service. While there are general guidelines, it is a personal choice, and one should tip within their means and based on their experience.
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Tipping customs outside the US
Tipping culture varies significantly across the world. While tipping is mandatory or highly recommended in the US, it is not expected but appreciated in Europe and considered offensive in Japan. Here is a list of tipping customs outside the US:
United Kingdom
In the UK, tipping is less obligatory. While a service charge may be included in your bill, tipping between 10% and 15% is appreciated in restaurants. In pubs, rounding up the bill is generally considered sufficient, and tipping is not expected.
France
In France, while a service charge is typically included in the bill, it is customary to leave small change or round up to the nearest euro. Tipping is not obligatory but will be appreciated for good service.
Australia
Tipping is generally not mandatory in Australia, but it is becoming more common in tourist areas. A tip of around 10% is appreciated for exceptional service.
China
Tipping is not traditional in China and is still not expected, although it is becoming more accepted in tourist areas.
Japan
In Japan, tipping is generally not expected, as excellent service is the standard. However, in certain situations, such as when taking a taxi, it is common to round up the fare.
Mexico
Tipping culture varies in Mexico, with tipping being more common in bigger cities and tourist areas. A tip of around 10% is generally considered appropriate.
Canada
In Canada, tipping is customary, usually ranging from 15% to 20% of the total bill.
Austria
In Austria, 20% is generally considered the maximum tip, with smaller amounts being more customary.
Germany
In Germany, it is customary to add a service fee of up to 10% if the service was good.
Ukraine
Tipping is commonly practiced in Ukraine, although specific percentages are not mentioned in the sources provided.
Other Countries
There are several other countries where tipping is not customary or is discouraged, including Sweden, Norway, Iceland, South Korea, Finland, Denmark, and Singapore. In these countries, service charges are often included in the bill, and rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated but not expected.
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Calculating a tip
Tipping culture varies across the world and even within countries. For example, in the United States, tipping is customary and expected, whereas in Europe, it is not expected but appreciated, and in Japan, it is considered offensive. Therefore, it is always a good idea to research local customs before travelling to a new place.
In the US, tipping is customary at restaurants, bars, cafes, and for delivery services. At sit-down restaurants, it is common to tip between 15% and 20% of the total bill amount. The tip amount can be adjusted based on the quality of service received. For instance, if the service was exceptional, the tip could be increased to 20%-25%. On the other hand, if you are ordering at a counter and collecting your food yourself, a tip of 10% is considered polite, especially if the staff bring the food to your table or clear it for you.
When it comes to breakfast specifically, the tipping percentage remains the same as for other meals. If you are dining at a restaurant for breakfast, a tip of 15%-20% is standard. However, if it is a buffet-style breakfast where you serve yourself, a tip is not usually required. If there is a staff member preparing dishes for you, such as made-to-order eggs, a tip of $1 per order is appropriate.
For coffee or breakfast items from a cafe or coffee shop, a tip of around 10%-15% is appreciated. This equates to about $1 for a drip coffee. If you are ordering multiple drinks, tipping $5 on the initial drink and then $1 for each subsequent drink is a nice gesture.
For delivery services, a minimum tip of $1 is recommended, and for breakfast deliveries, it is considerate to tip around 15% of the total cost. If the order is large or requires special requests, tipping a little extra is appropriate.
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Frequently asked questions
If it's a buffet-style breakfast, you don't need to tip. If there's an attendant, you can hand them $2-3 at the end of each day. If someone is making eggs to order, tip $1 per order.
In the US, it is customary to tip between 15% and 20% at restaurants. If you're at a fast-casual restaurant, where you order at a counter but have your food delivered to your table, 10% is considered polite.
Less than a dollar is the typical amount to tip on your coffee. If you get change back, you can put that in the tip jar. If you ordered something complicated, over $5, or received incredible service, you can tip a dollar or more.
A good rule to live by is to tip 40% at every breakfast place you eat at. This might not work for everyone's budget, so you can also consider tipping between 15% and 20%, depending on the service.
