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Ask Jason: Who put the money in the tip jar?

Written by Jason -Argonaut

Friday, 09 September 2005

Editor’s Note: Jason at The Argonaut to seek out the answers to UI students’ toughest questions. E-mail Jason at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject line “Ask Jason.” Dear Jason, I have friends in some service industries who are always complaining that college students don’t tip well. But I’m not sure when or how much to tip sometimes. Can you help me? -Befuddled in Borah Dear Befuddled, Back in my day we pretty much didn’t have to tip anyone, since we just took prisoners of war as slaves and made them do whatever we wanted. Over time, of course, most cultures learned that that is so not cool, but I admit my uncouth background leaves me sometimes as clueless about tipping as you are. The Internet has a variety of Web sites that give helpful suggestions on when and how much to tip. I selected some from James G. Lewis at Findalink.net that might be useful for the average college student. If you are getting a haircut or other cosmetic service, you tip differently depending on what you’re getting. Tip a barber $2 or $3. If you get your hair styled or colored you should tip 10 to 20 percent, and a bit more for last-minute service. (Your hair was styled, not just cut, if your hairdresser used a blow dryer and product on it. If you only want to leave $2 or $3, ask for a cut, no styling.) For a manicure, pedicure or facial, tip 15 percent. If you use a taxi, whether on vacation or on a trip home from the bar, you should tip 15 percent of the total fare. If you are traveling and your driver helps with bags, you should tip a few dollars more. When eating at a restaurant, you should tip your food server 15 to 20 percent of your total order (it is OK to calculate this before tax). If you request separate checks, you should tip about 18 percent each. At the bar, tip your bartender 15 to 20 percent or $1 per drink. If you have food delivered to your home, tip up to 15 percent, but not less than $2. A recent development is the ubiquitous tip jar. The only place where you ought to leave a tip in a tip jar is at a car wash, where you should leave $2 to $3 for a car or $3 to $5 for an SUV or truck. If you know you’ll get better service if you leave tips in the tip jar, go right ahead, but as Lewis says, “If you get the idea that tip jars are inappropriate at any food-service establishment that does not actually bring the food to your table and keep your drinks refilled, then you are correct. Add as favorites (25) | Views: 1235 Be first to comment this article Write Comment Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code. Name: Title: Comment: