The presidential election isn’t the only hot topic in the US right now – for international visitors, tipping has revealed itself to be the custom most in need of reform. We ask our cousins across the pond to help us Brits find our way

It happens to even the most seasoned traveller among us. You’ve enjoyed the enthusiastic American table service, a few glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and nibbles, and the merry night draws to its end. The bill arrives and you assess the damage. Except here, it’s no longer a bill, it’s a cheque (or should we say check?) and the politics surrounding it are a world away from what you’re used to back home. The waiter brings a card machine – ‘DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE A GRATUITY?’ in capital letters, presenting you with a series of outrageous percentages or, worse, a think-on-your-feet, input-your-own situation. You itch to check the receipt – sorry, check – to see if table service is included. Sweat, the waiter notices, has collected on your brow. 

“International travellers often assume tips are included within the price,” explains Thomas Nocella, director of food and beverage at The Mark Hotel on Madison Avenue, New York. “This tends to leave some… awkwardness,” he says, not unfamiliar with this exact situation. But what really is the worst that could happen when international travellers botch the whole affair?

“My family and I were out for a bite to eat in a diner near Times Square in New York,” London-based food editor Ellen Norris tells us. “We tipped 10% – easy to work out and standard in the UK – and left, thinking nothing of it.” Little did she guess that she and her family would be approached by the server in question. “We were quite shocked when he said: ‘In the US, it’s customary to tip 20%’ as we were leaving. We quickly handed him over some extra cash,” she confesses. 

Ask your friends and you’ll find most recent transatlantic travellers have a thorny tipping story on the tip of their tongue. For Katie Bowman, family travel expert at The Times, it’s become a preoccupation. “I’m so obsessed by tipping and under-tipping that I properly overdo it,” she admits. “Before I end up kit-less with nowhere to put the cash, I’ll tip the spa therapist for my massage before we even get started, whether it’s a good treatment or not.”  

But what if you’re really not happy, as with content creator Charlie Pauly’s first time in San Francisco? You tip through gritted teeth, instead. “On my first serious trip to the States, I was getting on really well with the waitress of this Mexican restaurant so I asked her about tipping culture and what she recommended,” the London-based adventurer says. “She firmly said 20%. My dessert came and it was genuinely disgusting. I couldn’t eat it. But I still tipped my 20%.”  

Nocella agrees that the industry standard is anywhere from 18% to 22%. “In The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, we’ve seen guests exclude the wine from the gratuity – for example, they’ve spent $5,000 on a bottle of French Burgundy, but tack on 20% for the rest,” he explains. “Some hotels are even pushing upwards of 25%, especially in the pocket of the Upper East side, where we are.” 

A no-nonsense guide to tipping in the US
Your most popular questions answered

What percentage of tip is expected by workers in the US?
A 20% tip is the standard minimum in restaurants, which should be based on the bill before tax. This rises to 25% for high-end restaurants. For other services, such as taxis or spas, somewhere around 15% is a good amount.

Do different US states have different rules?
Tipping is ingrained into US culture because those working in hospitality are generally paid below minimum wage and are expected to make up the difference in tips. And while wages vary from state to state, the amount you’re expected to tip remains the same.

What if a gratuity has already been added?
Then you’re in luck. If gratuity has been added, there’s no need to tip – although anything extra directly to the person serving you is always appreciated, especially for larger groups.

How about if the service is bad?
The norm is for customers to complain at the earliest opportunity and give the business the chance to address the issue. If you’re still disappointed, leave a smaller tip of, say, 10%. If the meal is truly awful, especially the service, stick to your guns and don’t tip.

Do I tip differently in bars vs restaurants
Some bars already include a gratuity but, if not, then a dollar or two per drink would be a good place to start.

What are the rules for hotels?
If a porter carries your bags, you should ideally be tipping $1 per bag. Double this if you have a lot of baggage or it’s particularly heavy. For housekeeping, try to leave a couple of dollars each day (rather than a lump sum at the end of a trip) as different members of staff might be servicing your room throughout your stay.

Do I tip tour guides?
Tips for guides are roughly based on how much you enjoyed the tour in relation to how much the tour cost. Aim for somewhere between 10% to 20% of the cost of the tour. On multi-day tours, budget for $5 to $10 per person, per day to the guide, and up to $5 per person, per day to the driver.

Is there anywhere I don’t need to tip?
For anywhere with minimal service, such as a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant, there’s no need to tip. But you should leave something if a personalised or above-and-beyond service is offered. “If you’re ordering at a counter and would like to leave a tip, the recommended amounts are 5%, 7%, or 10%, because there isn’t an extensive level of service being provided,” says Nocella.

Are there any countries where I don’t need to tip?
Tipping is prohibited in Singapore as service charge is typically included. Cuba and Iceland strongly discourage tipping, while China and Japan consider tipping an insult and your gratuity may be returned. In Switzerland and South Korea, rounding up your bill is a courteous gesture, but excessive tipping is frowned upon. In Brazil, tourists may tip small amounts for taxi and porter services, but it is otherwise not expected. In New Zealand, a tip is not customary but always appreciated, while tipping in restaurants in Australia is still not necessary, but is becoming more common. 

With additional reporting by Qin Xie

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips