America is the land of the bald eagle, apple pie and tipping.
If the hotel porter takes your three suitcases out of the taxi, helps you settle into your room, shows you where the thermostat is and how to use it, where the TV remote is, etc. – how much do you tip him for 15 minutes of work?
Here are five tips on tipping in the USA while you're on a summer work program:
- EXCEPTION: One of the first questions students visiting the USA raise is: "Do we have to tip if the service is terrible?" The answer is "NO," you don't have to. If you decide your server doesn't deserve a tip, don't be embarrassed about it. If it took them three hours to serve you, they were rude or got your order wrong – they don't deserve a tip. Don't jump up, don't raise your voice and don't get angry. Ask for the manager and complain to them. You might even get a free meal.
- RESTAURANTS / CAFES: The general rule for a restaurant or cafe is to leave a tip of 15% to 20% of the total bill. If you're dining at an upscale restaurant and it lives up to your expectations, you should leave 20%. At an ordinary cafe, 5% to 15%, and if you liked the person serving you, then even 20%.
- FAST FOOD / SUPERMARKETS: There's a way to avoid all those servers and tip percentage calculations. Eat at McDonald's or similar places. There are two good aspects. You don't have to tip if you're getting takeout, and you can skip the cup labeled TIPS. You also don't have to tip the cashiers at the supermarket. The only drawback is that after a month in the USA eating only at McDonald's, the result won't be very pleasant.
- TAXIS: Taxi drivers expect 10% to 20% of the fare. If they don't help you with your luggage, leave the lower percentage. If they're polite and take a shorter route, give them a bigger tip.
- BARS: The rule for tipping is one dollar per drink. Even if you go up to the bar to order a drink yourself, the bartender will expect a tip. If you order more than two drinks, you can leave a little less. Most American bars have servers, and if you order from a server, you should be prepared to leave a tip of at least 10% of your total bill for the whole evening.
When in Rome, eat pasta. When in the USA, leave tips!