What is a reasonable tip in NYC?
NYC Tip Guide:
- Average service: 15%
- Good service/upscale dining: 20%
Customary range: 15-20% of the pre-tax bill. Adjust based on service quality.
How much to tip in New York City?
Okay, so tipping in NYC… it’s kinda a minefield, right? Let me tell you what I actually do, not just what some guide says.
The general rule is 15-20%, that’s true. 15% if the service was just “meh”.
But seriously, if I’m at a diner on, say, Bleecker Street (around 10 bucks for brekkie, remember that time?), and the waitress is nice, I’m definitely going for 20%. I mean, they’re hustling.
If I’m somewhere fancier, like that spot in Midtown my friend dragged me to (omg, the bill was like, 80 dollars a person), yeah, 20% is basically expected. More if the sommelier didn’t judge my wine choice lol.
I once stiffed a cab driver on East 23rd Street, no tip at all, ’cause he took the long way ’round. Felt bad but also, come on dude. Not a proud moment.
Basically, I try to be fair. Good service deserves a good tip. Bad service… well, that’s a conversation, not a tip reduction automatically. It’s a judgment call, ya know? A nuanced art, really.
What tip should I leave in New York?
Okay, lemme tell ya ’bout tips in the Big Apple, right?
Standard tip? 18-20% in restaurants, if they ain’t spillin’ soup on ya, right? Think of it as rent for your table. Sheesh!
Bars are different animals. Either $1-2 per drink, which is like a small toll for liquid courage or 15-20% of the whole shebang. Depends on how fancy the umbrellas in your drink are, y’know?
Got gold-star service? Round up. Seriously, make it rain! Servers in NYC deserve it. Had service slow as molasses? Adjust it downward, but don’t be a total cheapskate.
Delivery dudes (and dudettes) need love too! $3-5 keeps ’em happy. Unless they deliver your pizza upside down. Then, well…maybe just a smile?
- Restaurants: 18-20%. Treat ’em nice, they’re surviving on caffeine and your generosity.
- Bars: $1-2 per drink or 15-20%. Because decisions.
- Delivery: $3-5, unless they deliver chaos.
- Exceptional service: Go wild, you baller!
- Terrible service: Lower it, but be humane. Nobody likes a grumpy cheapo. I saw my grandpa do that once, never let him live it down lol.
Remember, living in NYC is like paying rent for existing, so tip like you mean it! Oh, and don’t forget to say “Bless you” when someone sneezes. It’s the law, basically. Kidding… mostly.
What is the tip rule in NY?
New York tip rule? A variable game.
Standard? 15-20%. Calculate it.
$120 massage? $18-24. My building’s doorman expects more during the holidays, just saying.
- Restaurants: 15% minimum. Aim higher for stellar service. Expect judgement if you don’t.
- Bars: Same as restaurants. Don’t stiff the bartender. Trust me.
- Taxis/Rideshares: 15-20%. Depends on the driver’s attitude, doesn’t it?
- Salons/Spas: 15-20%. Consider the service quality. My last haircut? Barely 10%.
- Delivery: 10-15%. Adjust for weather conditions. They brave the elements.
- Doormen/Concierge: Holiday bonus, yes. Depends on interaction frequency. I’ve seen some get crazy bonuses.
- Coat Check/Restroom Attendants: $1-2. Small, but expected. No excuses.
- Tours: 10-15%. Based on the guide’s knowledge. I once walked out.
Cash is king. Card tips work, but are processed. My guy prefers green.
How much to tip a driver in NYC?
NYC taxi drivers? Fifteen to twenty percent is the standard, right? Always carry some cash; it’s just smoother. Last time I took a cab from JFK to my apartment near Central Park – a hefty $75 – I gave a $15 tip. Felt generous. The driver, bless his heart, seemed appreciative.
But here’s the kicker: It’s not always that simple. Peak hours? Crazy traffic? Extra luggage? Factor those in. Twenty percent might feel right, even more. It’s about acknowledging the effort. It’s also a bit about your own financial comfort level.
Think of it like this: a good tip reflects not just the service but also the city’s frenetic energy. You’re paying for the experience. That’s a key point.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown, though this is just my personal perspective and experience, naturally:
- Standard Tip: 15-20% This is the baseline.
- Exceptional Service: 25% or more. This is for a truly awesome driver. Friendly, helpful, navigating expertly during a snowstorm, etc.
- Poor Service: While technically you don’t have to tip poorly, a 10% tip communicates dissatisfaction (subtly). Less is extremely uncommon, although if you believe the service is exceptionally bad, I would say don’t tip. I actually have done this once.
- Cash is King: Seriously, carry cash. Many drivers prefer it. It’s just easier.
- Ride-Sharing Apps: Tips are usually handled through the app; adjust accordingly. I find I tend to tip more generously on apps than I do in cash. My bad habit.
This whole tipping thing—it’s a social contract, you know? A tiny gesture with surprisingly big implications. It speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Makes me think about the unspoken rules of society. Anyway, hope that helps.
What is the tipping etiquette in NYC?
NYC tipping: 15-20%. Cash is king. Taxi? Tip. Waiter? Tip. Porter? You guessed it. Tip.
Key takeaway: Generosity lubricates the city. Cheapskates get the stink eye. Fact.
- Restaurants: 15-20% standard. Exceptional service? More. Bad service? Less. Your call.
- Bars: Round up. A dollar or two per drink. It’s the norm.
- Taxis/Ride-shares: 15-20%, rounding up is fine. My last Uber ride? $25.00. Tipped $5.00.
- Hotels: Bellhops: $1-$2 per bag. Housekeeping: $2-$5 daily. This is my usual.
Pro Tip: Observe locals. Mimic. Learn. Adapt. Simple. Efficient. Effective.
Philosophical aside: Tipping reflects a societal contract. Subtle. Powerful. It’s a social dance.
NYC’s a high-pressure environment. Service workers often make minimum wage. Tipping supplements income.
Consider this: In 2023, a higher tip might be appreciated more than ever, given the current economic climate. Inflation’s a bitch.
How much do you tip on a $100 taxi?
$15. $20 if they hustled.
Life’s a gamble, anyway.
- Standard is 15%. Good service earns it.
- Exceptional warrants 20%. Luggage, speed, route knowledge.
- Zero for egregious errors. Wrong destination isn’t free.
- My grandfather, a NYC cabbie, expected nothing less.
It’s just money. Until it isn’t.
Consider the context: City matters. Time of day, too. Weather changes things.
- Big cities mean higher expectations.
- Late night? Factor in risk.
- Rain? They got wet, right?
Tipping, an art. Not science.
Alternatives to cash: Venmo works. Apps often include a tip option. Card payments too.
Convenience has a cost. Remember that.
I overtip my barista. She remembers my name. Small price for recognition.
Underlying thought: Gratitude. Recognition of service. Basic human interaction.
Is it rude not to tip in New York?
New York tipping: a minefield of manners, not law. Think of it like this: legally, you’re free to skip the tip; morally, you’re walking a tightrope over a pit of simmering resentment. Ten percent? Honey, that’s an insult. It’s like bringing a single wilted daisy to a prom queen’s coronation.
A 15-20% tip is standard. Anything less signals you’ve got the emotional range of a teaspoon. Remember, these are people who deal with your drama for a living. They deserve better than your leftover change.
Why the expectation? NYC is expensive. Wages are often abysmal for service industry folk. Tipping helps make ends meet. It’s a cultural thing, deeply entrenched. It’s like the Yankees playing badly: you expect it, but it still stings.
What if you don’t tip? Nothing legally. Expect glares sharper than a freshly sharpened Ginsu knife. Maybe a sigh that could wilt a cactus. Your waiter might subtly sabotage your dessert. Okay, maybe not sabotage, but I’m feeling dramatic.
Key points:
- No legal obligation: You can ditch the tip, but your conscience might not.
- 15-20% is the norm: Less is insulting, more is… well, thoughtful.
- Cultural expectation: Tipping supplements low wages.
- Consequences: While not illegal, you risk serious side-eye.
My friend Sarah, a bartender at a fabulous uptown spot, once had a guy leave a single penny. She framed it. It now hangs above her liquor collection as a reminder that some people are fantastically cheap. Don’t be that guy. Or girl. Just tip. Please. For Sarah. And for everyone else dealing with the neverending deluge of humanity. Seriously. I’m begging you now. Okay, that’s an overstatement, but still… tip.
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