How Much Should You Tip in NYC: A Casual Guide
New York City is known for its fast pace, towering skyscrapers, and a vibrant cultural scene. But for visitors and locals alike, one question always seems to linger in the back of their minds: how much should you tip in NYC?
Tipping in NYC can be a bit of a minefield, with different expectations for different services. To help you navigate the waters, here's a casual guide to tipping in the Big Apple:
Dining Out
- Restaurants: The standard tipping range for restaurants in NYC is 18-20% of the pre-tax bill. However, you can tip more or less depending on your experience. If your server was exceptional, feel free to tip more. If you had a bad experience, you can tip less or not at all.
- Bars: When ordering drinks at a bar, it's customary to tip $1 per drink. However, if you're sitting at the bar and the bartender is providing good service, you can tip more.
- Food Delivery: When ordering food delivery, it's customary to tip the delivery person $3-$5. However, you can tip more if the delivery was difficult or the food was particularly hot or cold.
Transportation
- Taxis: In NYC, taxi drivers typically expect a tip of 20% of the fare. However, you can tip more or less depending on the quality of the service.
- Uber and Lyft: When using Uber or Lyft, it's customary to tip 15-20% of the fare. However, you can tip more or less depending on the quality of the service.
- Airport Shuttle: When using an airport shuttle, it's customary to tip $5-$10 per person.
Other Services
- Hair Salons and Barbershops: When getting your hair cut or styled in NYC, it's customary to tip 20% of the total cost.
- Nail Salons: When getting a manicure or pedicure in NYC, it's customary to tip 15-20% of the total cost.
- Massage Therapists: When getting a massage in NYC, it's customary to tip 20% of the total cost.
A Few Additional Tips
- Cash is King: While many places in NYC accept credit cards, it's still a good idea to carry some cash with you for tipping.
- Don't Be Afraid to Ask: If you're unsure how much to tip, don't be afraid to ask the person providing the service.
- Tipping is Not Mandatory: While tipping is customary in NYC, it's not mandatory. If you had a bad experience, you don't have to tip.
FAQs
- How to calculate a tip? To calculate a tip, multiply the pre-tax bill by the desired percentage. For example, to calculate a 20% tip on a $50 bill, multiply $50 by 0.20, which equals $10.
- How to tip for multiple people? When tipping for multiple people, it's best to tip based on the total pre-tax bill. For example, if you're dining with two friends and the pre-tax bill is $100, you can tip $20.
- How to tip if you're not happy with the service? If you're not happy with the service, you can tip less or not at all. However, it's important to be polite and explain your reasons to the person providing the service.
- How to tip for a large group? When tipping for a large group, it's best to tip based on the total pre-tax bill. However, you can also tip per person.
- How to tip for a special occasion? When tipping for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, you can tip more than usual. However, there is no set rule for how much to tip.
I hope this guide helps you navigate the world of tipping in NYC. Remember, tipping is a way to show your appreciation for good service. So, don't be afraid to tip generously, but also don't feel obligated to tip if you had a bad experience.