University of Texas at Austin

International Office


UT Family and Community Programs

Friendship Program

 

Tipping


To Tip or Not to Tip -- That is the Question!

The following web site has good ideas of how much to tip for various services: http://www.tipping.org/tips/TipsPageTipsUS.html

Below are some places where a typical university student or scholar might find tips expected. Check the web site above for information on other tipping situations.

Place

Personnel

Amount to Tip

Airport

Skycap (baggage carrier)

$1 or more per bag

Electric cart transport

$1-2

Barber shop, beauty shop, hair salon

Hair cutter

15% of bill

Shampooer

$1-2

 

Manicurist

$1 or more

Buffet-style restaurant

Wait staff

5-10% of bill, depending on amount

Coat room

Coat room attendant

 

Delivery

Pizza or other food

$1-2 for short distance;
$2-3 for long

 

Furniture/appliances

distance; $5 for large order

 

Flowers

$2-5; $5-10 for large plant

Holiday gifts (just before
Christmas)

Mail carrier

$20

 

Newspaper delivery person

Daily delivery $15 - $25
Weekend Delivery only $5 - $15

Hotel

Chambermaid

$5 a night (nice hotel)

 

Bellhop (carries bags to room)

$10, bringing you to room with luggage

 

Concierge (watches your bags after check-out)

$1 a bag

Room service waiter

15% of bill

 

Lobby attendant

$1 or more for help with luggage or for calling taxi from street

Motor coach trips

Motor coach operator

$1-2; 10-15% of fare if day-loing trip

 

Tour guide

$1-2; 10-15% of fare if day-long trip

Movers

Moving men

$10-20 each for small moves

Restaurant

Wait person

15-20% of bill, if service is good

Supermarket

Person loading your car

$1-5, depending on load

Taxi

Driver

15% of fare

 

Gifts of Thanks

When is it appropriate to give a special token of thanks?

When service has been unusually personal or helpful, a small gift to say "thank you" when you are leaving, or during the Christmas holidays, is especially appreciated.

Examples: Departmental secretary/administrator

Apartment superintendent/desk worker

What should you give?

A small plant, flowers, a box of candies, something home baked, a souvenir from your home country. Be careful about giving wine, unless you know the person drinks alcohol.

University of Texas-Austin

Family and Community Programs