Tips

[teash]

Does anybody know the amount that people should be tipped in America, and do you tip everybody (as in shop staff etc)

[rdv]

In restaurants they expect 15% min. but unless the service is good, and it usually is, they get less from us. no only tip the people you would here, hotel porters expect 1$ per case up or down from your room

[NORMANTHEDOG]

they all expect tips,but only tip people who you think have given you good service.

[auntiebertie]

The restaurant staff expect 15-20% - tipping is not related in any way to good service - their salaries are so low they expect the tips to live on.
If you do not tip because service has been bad be prepared to get out of the restaurant quickly as, on the occasion I refused to leave a tip, the waitress got rather nasty!!!!
Cab drivers also expect this same rate.
Tip porters $1 a suitcase [or carry them yourselves]

Of course you do not tip shop assistants!

[jno]

you don't tip shop assistants - but bear in mind that sales tax is usually added on to the price tag at the counter (it varies from state to state, I think that's why it isn't included). If you don't feel like tipping a waiter because the service was lousy, tell him why. But usually it is pretty good. Current asking price when I was there last month was 17%... knock the last figure off the price, double it, then knock a bit more off to get an approximation... 15% is still acceptable, though.

[Jules001]

don't forget the hotel maid and the cocktail waitress ( if in Vegas).

[JonnoGenie]

If in New York, tip twice the sales tax (8.375%*2? = 17'ish% ) in restaurants.

Shop assistants = No, no tip.

Taxis, round up to the next dollar, and a bit more for a longer ride.

It is cheap in the US for us, just keep in mind that for many people working there , tips is their main source of income.

[munchie63]

Really important to remember that they are TAXED on the expectation that they get 15% tips.
(surely a matter of time for Gordon Brown to catch on)
So, if you don't tip them they're really out of pocket.

I was in florida over Easter, and tipped 15-20%.
As far as shops go, if you mean stores in the Malls, I'd say no, but if you think they were helpfull.....

remember too though that wages in the service industry are generally pretty poor.
I had nothing but good, friendly service, including some good tips on where to eat/shop and routes to parks etc.
I saw a nice easy tipping ready reckoner on a website somewhere.

[JonnoGenie]

Munchie is right, as bar-staff and waiters are taxed on a 'presumed' income (by the IRS), if you do not tip them the going rate,,,, they are actually losing money serving you.

Brits, I'm afraid to say, have a terrible reputation for tipping.

Tip bar-staff, and waiters well (I more or less live there, and you never tip shop staff, not sure where that suggestion came from)