Tipping Is Expected

Although tipping is officially voluntary, it is assumed that wait personnel will make up the difference in tips because their minimum income is lower than average. As a result, tipping is almost compulsory, if not an unwritten rule! When dining out, it is traditional to leave a 15 to 20% tip. If you're dining with a group of six or more people, double-check that the tip wasn't previously included in the bill before tipping.

Tipping customs differ by region in the United States, and even published advice varies widely depending on the source. At a buffet restaurant, for example, some Americans don't pay, but it's customary to tip $1-2/person for wait staff clearing numerous rounds of plates, up to 10% if the wait staff is refilling beverages and providing other services. The usual rule is to tip in proportion to the level of service and quality provided.

You could anticipate to tip bartenders ($1-2 per drink), hotel housekeeping ($3-5 per night), taxi drivers (10-15 percent), and even Bellman ($1-2 per bag) in addition to restaurant waitstaff. When planning your vacation to the United States, it's a good idea to include suggestions in your spending budgeting!