A Guide to Tipping Culture

"The screen is going to ask you a question..."

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The latest new thing I’ve gotten asked to tip on is the self-service checkout machines at Newark Liberty International Airport. 10% for me picking up my $7 bag of Chex Mix? Okay.

I do feel a little uniquely equipped to comment on tipping culture. Not only am I a consumer in New York City (not known for being an inexpensive city), go out to bars and restaurants a lot (I have my monthly resets to prove it), but I also have had a part time job at a local bar for the past year. About 55-80% of my paychecks from that job come from tips. And even still, there are so many situations where I have no idea if and how much to tip.

In general, I think it would be great if tipping was never required (like it is in many other countries). It would be easier—less math—but, that’s not the world we live in, so I made a chart to try to understand where and when to tip. And to feel less awkwardness and anxiety when that screen gets turned around and you’re staring at 3 tipping options.

In my mind, tipping is a spectrum, ranging from tip required to no need to tip. Then, I rated each category on how confusing it is to decide how much to tip—basically, any areas where it wasn’t a standard 20%, $1 per, etc., or any area where the tipping rules have changed over time or aren’t as obvious. 

Tipping culture is a hot topic—if you disagree with any of these, let me know in the comments. I am already questioning where I put some of these (and scared people will think I’m cheap)! I think most of us will agree with the straightforward ones (tip at restaurants, don’t tip at a self-service kiosk), but there are some I learned recently (don’t tip for a National Park ranger hike), and there are some I’m still confused about (how much should I tip at my local coffee shop? How much to tip for food delivery now that the minimum wage laws changed in NYC?).

Oh, and my biggest tip with tipping culture? (no pun intended) Tip in cash!

@yoleendadongPOV: Tipping culture be like 😅 #tipping #tippingculture #pov

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Thanks for reading! I post weekly about living in NYC, personal finance, and growing my small business. I also post a monthly reset on the 1st of each month sharing everything I spent money on the previous month and goals for the next month. My small business is called Sidetracks—it’s a collection of party card games I designed. Grab a game to make your next happy hour unforgettable. And if this post resonated with you, share it or forward it to a friend!