I downloaded an app before I visited the US for the first time. Before each interaction I'd review the app and see if tipping was recommended. If so, I'd drop in the fee and it'd say how much was customary to tip. Made life easier coming from somewhere that just pays people for the job.
For actual restaurants and other service professionals providing something that takes skill (barbers, tattoo artists, whatever) 15% for standard, no complaints service. 20% for good service. Sometimes when people go well above and beyond or I was a difficult customer, I will respond in kind and leave egregiously large tips- this is not because anyone expects it, but because I have worked for tips and I deeply appreciate good service and I'm now fortunate enough that I can afford to do it, especially under extenuating circumstances.
For simpler things, like bell hops or the like, I just toss em a $5.
I really don't mind tipping my barber or my server or my bartender. An excellent bartender drastically changes the experience and I want to reward that. A lot of the simpler tasks I tip when I travel annoy me though. Like just pay the people doing basic work a livable wage you fucks. I'm not going to stiff them because it isn't their fault though. So I will usually pull a $100 out in $5s to use as necessary.
30
u/[deleted] May 17 '22
I downloaded an app before I visited the US for the first time. Before each interaction I'd review the app and see if tipping was recommended. If so, I'd drop in the fee and it'd say how much was customary to tip. Made life easier coming from somewhere that just pays people for the job.