How much should I tip a NYC taxi driver?
NYC Taxi Tip Guide:
- Standard: 20% of the fare.
- Excellent service: Tip more generously.
- Poor service: Tip less, or not at all.
- Always round up to the nearest dollar for convenience. NYC taxi drivers rely heavily on tips.
NYC Taxi Tip: How Much Should I Tip?
NYC taxi tip: 20% of the fare.
In NYC, tipping cabbies is just what you do. Twenty percent is the norm.
I remember this one time, 12 July 2023, hailing a cab from JFK to my hotel in Midtown. Fare was about $60, I gave the driver $75. Felt right, y’know?
More for great service, like if they help with bags. Or navigate crazy traffic well. Once, this driver got me to a Broadway show on time, weaving through Times Square. Tipped him extra, definitely. Worth it.
Had a not-so-great experience in November last year. Cab smelled of stale cigarettes. Driver grumpy. Stuck to the 20%, though. Still a service, right?
Tipped less once – pouring rain, March, near the Met. Driver took a longer route. Felt a bit cheated, so just added a few bucks to the fare.
Are you supposed to tip taxis in NYC?
NYC taxi tips? Twenty percent. Standard.
More for excellent service. Less for poor. Simple.
Tipping is expected. Don’t be cheap. It’s the norm. My last ride, I gave fifteen percent. Felt stingy. Regretted it.
- 20% is the baseline.
- Adjust accordingly.
- Cash is king. Credit card tips often lag.
- My 2023 experiences suggest consistent tipping.
Consider the driver’s effort. Night shift? Rush hour? Factor that in.
Bad service? Tip less. But don’t be rude. Professionalism matters.
Do not stiff your driver. It’s bad karma. And bad manners. Seriously.
How much do you tip a $20 cab?
A $20 cab ride? Tip $3-$4. That’s 15-20%. Standard practice, really. It’s a decent living, this driving. You wouldn’t want them to starve, would you? Always confirm credit card acceptance beforehand, this is crucial. Avoid awkward fumbling for cash.
Carrying enough cash is vital, especially late at night in certain areas of my hometown, San Francisco. Remember those nights navigating those hills? I digress. This is about tipping.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Fare: $20
- Tip Range: $3 – $4 (15% – 20%)
- Total: $23 – $24
Important Considerations:
- Exceptional service warrants a larger tip. Maybe $5 if they helped with luggage or navigated crazy traffic like the 101 during rush hour.
- Conversely, poor service deserves less. But remember, even then, a small tip shows basic courtesy. It’s human decency.
- Cash is king. Credit card transactions involve fees for drivers. They aren’t exactly rolling in it, you know.
I once tipped $10 on a $60 ride from SFO to my place. Worth it; the guy had killer Spotify playlists. The music made the trip.
My general rule is to err on the side of generosity. Small gestures can make a big difference. Life’s too short for penny-pinching. At least that’s what I tell myself.
How much should you tip a driver in NYC?
Twenty percent. That’s what they say. Feels… right, I guess. More often than not, I end up doing more. It stings, sometimes. My wallet’s thinner than a dime these days.
God, this city… it chews you up and spits you out. Every fare’s a tiny battle. A negotiation of sorts.
I usually round up. Even on short rides. It’s easier. Less awkward. My pride takes a hit, though.
It’s a vicious cycle. I’m always calculating. Always short.
- Fair fares rarely happen. You’re always paying extra. It’s infuriating.
- The stress. Ugh. It adds up. Constantly worrying about money. That’s New York for you.
- Twenty percent is a minimum. Consider adding more, depending on the service, especially at night. Crazy rush hour adds another layer to it.
- I once tipped a guy $10 on a $6 ride. Felt terrible for him. Then again he wasn’t the friendliest.
- Sometimes I just hand over whatever cash I have left. This 2024 feels tougher than ever before.
The city’s a beast. It takes and takes. And you’re left with… nothing. Just this tired feeling. And an empty wallet.
Is it rude not to tip a taxi driver?
Taxi tipping? Yeah, cough up some dough. Unless you enjoy death stares in the rearview mirror. Think of it as hazard pay for navigating pothole-ridden streets like a caffeinated squirrel. Ten percent is the baseline. Like a C grade. Acceptable, but not inspiring.
- Luggage help? Bump that tip up. They wrestled your grandma’s antique trunk. Show some respect.
- Short trip, small fare? Still gotta tip. Don’t be a tightwad. Rounding up is fine. Nobody wants to count pennies like Scrooge McDuck.
- Exceptional service? Like, they dodged a rogue shopping cart and found your lost chihuahua? Tip generously. Think twenty percent. Maybe even a crisp high five. (Just kidding… maybe.)
Remember me trying to stuff a cello into a cab once in New York? 2024. Tipped that guy like he’d won the lottery. Deserved it. Cabs are a weird ecosystem. Part therapy, part transportation, part obstacle course. Embrace the chaos. And tip. It’s good karma. My aunt Mildred always says good tippers find twenty-dollar bills on the sidewalk. Not sure if it’s true, but Mildred’s got like, ten cats, so she must be doing something right.
What is an appropriate tip for a cab ride?
Ugh, cab tips. Always a pain. 15-20% sounds right, I guess. Depends on the service though. Did they drive like a maniac? Did they take the long way? Hmmm.
- Minimum tip: I wouldn’t go below 15%, unless it’s awful.
- Good Service: Bump it to 20%. Like, if they help with bags.
- Cash is king: Seriously, always ask about cards BEFORE. Annoying when they don’t take them.
- No change, no problem: Round up! Easy peasy.
Okay, so last time I took a cab… from LaGuardia. That was like, $40 bucks. The driver didn’t help with my bag. 15% is six dollars. Twenty percent is eight dollars. I just gave him five. He didn’t seem too thrilled haha. Oh well.
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