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How Much to Tip Everyone

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

PRICES FOR SERVICE ARE QUOTED OR EXTIMATED.

Service providers who routinely expect a tip should consider the service before the tip.

Give me routine service for the price quoted and you'll get the quoted payment.

Fortunately, service in my area is routinely very good, IF YOU CAN GET THE SERVICE! 

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Original content by Christopher Pataki RS - 0019092

Tipping etiquette in America has become a minefield of awkward handshakes, rudimentary mathematics and social blunders. This week, New York’s Conflicts of Interest Board fined two sanitation workers $2,000 for accepting a tip. They were paid $10 between them for hauling off an unusually large amount of trash for a resident in Queens, N.Y., though they requested $20.

But while tipping sanitation workers is a no-no, a growing number of workers expect it and depend on it. Many consumers may be surprised to learn that they’re expected to tip baristas, for instance. (Consider it a goodwill tax for all that free Wi-Fi.) Just this week, New York’s Court of Appeals ruled that Starbucks baristas must share their tips with shift supervisors. The court found that the supervisors do much of the same work as baristas and are, therefore, entitled to a share.

Tip jars are popping up in the most unexpected places, says Chris Young, executive director of The Protocol School of Washington, a company that offers courses in etiquette. “What used to be old-fashioned customer service has now become a privilege to receive” for customers, he says. But with workers facing stagnant wages and increases in the cost of living, it’s little wonder tipping has become more widespread, he says.

Here’s a guide to some of the other more unusual places customers are expected to tip in 2013 (besides fast-food chains).

Store baggers: $2

Publix supermarket has a no-tipping policy for employees. “Carryout service is part of the shopping experience at Publix,” a spokeswoman says. But in Florida, some customers quietly tip Publix staff regardless. “I often feel sorry for them and want to help them out,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, Florida.

Dog groomers: 15% to 20%

It’s the most obvious way to help ensure that your dog gets extra love and attention. “I have someone come to my home,” Whitmore says, “and I always give her and her assistant a tip.” And the earlier puppies are trained in the grooming process — being obedient and comfortable getting their nails clipped and coat trimmed — the better for everyone concerned, she says.

Camp counselor: $50 to $100

The average price of overnight summer camp has increased 22% to $500 a week over the past five years, according to the American Camp Association, but tipping camp counselors is still expected, says Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, founder and director of The Etiquette School of New York, “especially for parents who use the same camps year after year.”

Building superintendent: $20 to $100

Etiquette experts say it’s wise to get on your super’s good side. Superintendents constantly field calls from residents, and you want to avoid getting put at the bottom of the to-do list. It’s money in the bank in the event of a broken toilet or lost latch key. (Some landlords can charge $300 for lost keys; a super might be able to cut a new key as a favor.) “They know how to get things done,” Napier-Fitzpatrick says.

Waxing salon: 15%

Customers are often presented with an envelope for tips, but a Brazilian bikini wax may require more from a provider than, say, an eyebrow wax. Around 10% “is usually a nice warm spot,” Young says. But he suggests 15% for a particularly intricate waxing. “Did they know you were in a hurry?” he says. “Did they do it with skill, aplomb and discretion? And in a way that mitigates the pain?”

Door man: $100 gift certificate

Nobody wants to tip their doorman $5 every time they forget their keys. Once a year, around the holidays, is adequate, Young says — and maybe on birthdays if you have a particularly good relationship. “You don’t have to give cash,” he says. “A very nice bottle of wine or $100 gift certificate is appropriate.”

Cable guy: refreshments

Ever since the Comcast cable guy was caught on camera sleeping in 2006 and the video went viral on YouTube, cable installers have gotten a bad rap. But experts say a glass of ice tea or a lemonade is all he expects. A $50 tip probably won’t get you free movie channels. (And if it did, it probably wouldn’t be legal.)

Coach bus driver: $1 to $2 a bag

While taxi drivers almost always get tipped, drivers for private bus companies and rental car companies frequently get passed over, Whitmore says. On a recent bus ride from the airport to the car rental company, Whitmore says she was the only person who tipped the driver. “The poor guy was lugging everybody’s heavy bags. I always give a $1 a bag, or $2 for an extra bag.”

Personal trainer: price of one session

When it comes to tipping personal trainers, once a year is usually enough — around the holidays or at the end of a series of sessions, says Napier-Fitzpatrick. It doesn’t have to be cash, but candy is probably a bad idea and the gratuity should be the equivalent of at least the cost of one training session. She also recommends tipping locker room attendants on a regular basis.

Big box store clerk: $10

If a member of the sales staff carries a flat-screen television or treadmill to your car, a tip is in order, says Ummu Bradley Thomas, founder of the Freddie Bell Jones Modeling & Finishing School in Denton, Md. “In some of the larger box stores tipping is not allowed, which seems unfair given all of their heavy lifting,” she says.

 

by MarketWatch.com

 

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Comments (17)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Lenn.... good reblog.... there's nothing that disappoints me more than to be in a restaurant with my family and have poor service.... the tip will reflect the service that we receive.... restaurants need to hire and train better....

Nov 26, 2013 06:35 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

IMO tips should be earned, not expected just because a service was provided.  

Nov 26, 2013 06:39 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Lenn.  Having the tip automatically added and then having poor service drives me crazy.

Nov 26, 2013 06:48 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Tips like any other kind of payment should be earned...we DO tip the garbage people at least twice a year and more often if there is "more than usual"....ours are not municipal employees but a private firm.

Nov 26, 2013 07:14 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for reblogging. I feel sorry for the sanitation  workers who were fined  for accepting a tip.

Nov 26, 2013 07:46 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lenn,

Great post to re-blogg! Tipping is a form of letting those know we appreciate their service..I do see many not feeling it necessary which is a shame..if someone does a great job they deserve acknowledgment in the form of a monetary gift!

Nov 26, 2013 08:07 PM
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Wow, tipping is a touchy subject and I agree - should be earned and not expected.  Thanks for sharing. 

Nov 26, 2013 09:00 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Lenn, 

The list sometimes seems endless. Reminds me I ahve to get the envelope ready for the paper delivery person or the birds will attack me and the mailman.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 26, 2013 09:04 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Lenn,

I did get a tip one time. they didn't have change and said keep the change as a tip. A whole $2.12 But better than nothing.

I tip if the service is good. I don't if the service needs to be improved a lot.

Have a great day and an even better Thanksgiving day.

Best, Clint McKie

Nov 26, 2013 09:31 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Barbara.  Same here.

Roger.  Agreed.

Conrad.  Indeed, me too.

Sally.  So did I, when I had such a service.

Gita.  It made no sense.  Government gone insane, again.

Dorie.  I've found tipping habits reflect the degree of thrift of the consumer.

Jennifer.  Sadly, it is tainted by some cultures where a tip is really a bribe to get what is already fee based.

Raymond.  THAT'S the attitude.

Clint.  I never really know when to or when not to except in a restaurant.

Nov 26, 2013 09:49 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I is always difficult to know what is the going rate for tipping Lenn, it seems to be so varied. I do know that I feel good about doing it when the service has been worthy of it.

Nov 26, 2013 09:50 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Tom.  Me too and I can be very generous.

Nov 26, 2013 09:53 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Lenn - having worked in the food service industry for several years, I know the importance of tipping. However, and now that I'm on the other side of the table so to speak, I expect friendly and prompt service or you can kiss your 20% bye bye and you'll be lucky to get the full 15%! Yesterday I had a pedicure done and even though she hurried through to get to the next client I still left 20% because of the nature of her job. You have to provide good service and then and only then can you expect a reasonable tip.

Nov 27, 2013 01:29 AM
DEANNA C. SMITH CERTIFIED MOBILE NOTARY
Certified Mobile Notary Signing Agent - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Highest Ranked Certified Mobile Notary in Virginia

Tips are EARNED, not OBLIGATIONS.   I tip generously too, but only when it has been earned.   I disagree with having it added to my bill automatically.   Sometimes though, the best tip you can give someone that's helpful is a heartfelt "Thank you".

Nov 27, 2013 02:25 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

How interesting:) I did not even know about some of those tips. It is so true, that one should know a local custom. Some of those tips 'must' be higher in posh areas~ but it is a price of luxury..

Yet, if you absolutely disappointed with the service, you might want to leave a very low tip to show your frustration( and not just forgetfulness)

Nov 27, 2013 06:14 PM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Lenn  ...and I thank you for all your tips you have given me in the past!  Your willingness to share is very becoming to you!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 28, 2013 02:15 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jeffrey.  I have no problem with service folks, restaurants.  However, folks who perform repairs, services at my home is always a challenge.

Deanne.  I simply don't know where the custom began.  Especially now that the folks pay taxes on those tips.

Inna.  HA!  When service is very bad, I have no hesitation to leave nothing.

John.  Ah!  A different kind of tip.

Nov 28, 2013 02:36 AM