Help, info needed

[paulineuk]

My girlfriend and I are going to New York at the weekend for a few child free days ;D. Here in the Uk we only tip for good service but I know we willl be expected to tip almost everyone while we are there my problem is we have no idea how much we should tip. Can someone please tell me what will be expected for taxi drivers, waitresses etc.
Thank you in anticipation.

Pauline UK.

[Emilysmom]

Pauline~
I'm not really sure what the accepted practice is, but I think 18 to 20 percent of the total bill is correct for a restaurant tip. My mother-in-law actually carries a little card with her that calculates exactly what the tip would be for various meal prices at 10, 15, and 20 percent tips. It's like the size of a credit card and she keeps it in her wallet. In our town, the tax is 9%, so I generally just look at the tax and figure out TWICE that amount and that's the tip.....about 18%. But LOL in places where the tax is less, the poor server would get cheated.

If you give your luggage to a sky cab guy outside the airport, it's good to give him a tip.....I generally just tip about $2. Same for a shuttle driver (Like a shuttle to a car rental place).
Hope that helps a little. I hope you have a blast!!

[paulineuk]

Thanks Susan.
That is a good help. Wonder where I can get one of those little cards . I have never been good at working out percentages .
Pauline

[meghans_mom]

Pauline - yes, 15-20%. I usually double the tax as well (it's 8 1/2% here in NY) and round up or down, to the nearest $. If it's exceptional service or if my kids have made an extra mess, then they get more of course, LOL.
taxi's NOT THAT MUCH!! I give a $ or 1.50 depending...if the bill is 9.50, i might give 11 and say to keep the change. that sort of thing.
also, at a bar - a dollar, 2 or 3, depending on how long i've been there - how many i've ordered and how the service is. ritzier places, of course you have to be more generous.
newstands or bookstores might have that tip chart...and you might even be able to print one of the internet too.
have a terrific trip!
laurie