Tipping tips
Determining what constitutes a fair and reasonable tip varies according to the situation, advises Louise Fox, Toronto-based owner of The Etiquette Ladies, a company that specializes in business and social etiquette. (You may also have seen her on W Network’s Style by Jury.)
Unfortunately, there are few concrete rules for exact amounts and percentages, and customs vary by region. Remember that tips are an acknowledgement of your appreciation for good service: “You might not tip the mover who carries your furniture into your new apartment, but if he carries it up three flights of stairs, you might,” says Fox.
At a high-end hair salon, it is customary to leave 15 to 20 per cent for the stylist, and a smaller amount for the shampoo person and colourist, says Fox, while at a more modest locale, it might be 10 to 15 per cent. For a taxi driver, 10 per cent of the fare is reasonable.
Keep in mind that service staff, from high-end waiters to the pizza delivery guy, rely on tips to supplement minimum wages. Fox frowns upon leaving no tip at all in most cases of less than perfect service, pointing out that often it is not the server’s fault — the kitchen may be inefficient; traffic snarls may have caused a delay in your delivery.
If in doubt about tipping expectations at a salon or other establishment, make a phone call and ask what is standard.
Tips, Fox points out, also boost morale, and ensure good service the next time you show up. Being kind, courteous and vocal in your praise will pay off for you as well as your server.
Do you have any tips on tipping? Do you disagree with with tipping customs? Talk about it in our forums!
For more information about tipping, read Tipping etiquette
This article originally appeared in the November 2008 issue of More
