Gratuity guidelines: How much do I tip?

You're at a restaurant, the bill arrives and there's that all-too-familiar moment of uncertainty – how much of a gratuity do I leave?

Tipping, a rather unspoken social norm, is a way to express thanks for a job well done. With service industries across the countries feeling the impact of a weakened economy it is important -- perhaps now more than ever -- to appropriately tip.

According to a 2007 study by BMO Mosaik MasterCard, 78 per cent of Canadians tip 15 per cent or more in restaurants, but fewer than 40 per cent tip the same percentage for other service industry workers like taxi drivers, delivery workers or hair stylists.

Here are some rules to help you navigate the contentious issue of tipping at hair salons, bars and restaurants, spas and for food delivery across the country.

Hair salons

If you go to a high-end salon, staff could expect multiple tips: one for the assistant who washes your hair, one for the stylist who cuts and blow dries, maybe even another for the person who delivers your coffee; but how much to leave for each role?

Start considering your gratuity at 10 per cent of your total bill, and then increase the amount for each person based on the difficulty of their service and how much time they spend with you. So you might tip 15 to 20 for the stylist then about $2 for assistants, adjusting the amount according to the skill required or difficulty of service they provide.

Location is a key factor, too. “If you’re in a high-end salon in downtown Toronto, you can probably expect to tip more than at Joe the barber in Moose Jaw, Sask.,” says Louise Fox, owner of The Etiquette Ladies. “Don’t be afraid to ask the receptionist or call in advance to inquire about their tipping policy.”

For stylists, Fox suggests tipping 15 to 20 per cent at a high-end hair salon, and 10 to 15 per cent at more modest establishments.

Restaurants/bars

Nights out on the town can be expensive, but if you skip the tip at your favourite restaurant, you might notice you’re not getting adequate service. At a bar you should leave either a loonie or toonie for each drink if you want good service, says Fox.

CNNMoney.com advises 15 to 20 per cent of the tab at the bar with a minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, and one dollar per alcoholic drink. If debit/credit machines are available, you can select the 10 to 15 per cent preprogrammed options.

Fox notes that restaurant and bar servers rely heavily on tips -- so much that it’s factored into their income tax. “If they aren’t being tipped, they are literally paying for the difference,” she says. As a general rule, tip at least 10 to 15 per cent for restaurant bills. For buffet-style restaurants, 10 per cent should suffice.

There really isn’t a good time to not tip, Fox surmises. Even if the service is poor, leave a smaller tip and report your experience to management.

Spa (massage therapist, manicurist)

While roles at a spa can be diverse, not all services are on equal footing. Start with the 10 per cent rule, Time Out New York admonishes, then factor in the difficulty of the service. If the manicurist spends 30 minutes on your hands and the massage therapist, 60 minutes, the latter might be deserving of a larger gratuity.

And offer 15 to 20 per cent to make-up artists since, like hair stylists, they attend to high demands under pressure.

Seasonal tipping depends on your relationship with your service provider. “It’s very situational. Some people have more of a relationship with their hair stylist than they do with their own spouse,” says Fox.

If money is tight, Fox suggests doing something in lieu of a tip, such as leaving a card or a box of homemade cookies.

Food/pizza delivery

The rules for this type of service vary. “Some pizza delivery men/women work for tips only, so it is very important to tip these people,” says Fox. For food delivery, CNNMoney.com advises 10 per cent of the bill (excluding tax) and at least one dollar for bills up to 10 dollars.

Taxi driver/valet

How much you tip your taxi driver depends on the level of service you’ve received, says Fox. For instance, you might tip more if they’ve taken your bag out of the trunk or engaged in a pleasant conversation that made your day. She suggests rounding up the fare to an even dollar. So if you owe $8.85 then round up to 10 dollars.

For valet service, Time Out Chicago says save the two dollar tip until the car is returned to you, unless you have a special request (such as front lot parking) then tip right away.

Remember, bar and restaurant servers rely on gratuities for their livelihood, so tip accordingly. That's 11 to 20 per cent at hair salons. Ten per cent for food delivery (or $1 if your bill amounts to less than $10), and round up to the next even dollar for taxi drivers.

Most importantly, gauge the situation and consider the overall experience -- was it enjoyable and up to standard? If so, then give generously if you can.