Hi guys,

I'm coming on vacation to the USA in October and I hear that you have to tip a lot over there...

In Australia we generally don't tip at all, I don't think i've ever tipped in my entire life as a matter of fact, so I was just wanting to get the low down on what is the 'acceptable' minimum. Because i've been raised in a society that doesn't 'require' "donations" be made for a service it feels lame to have to do it.

Can anyone fill me in?

They aren't donations. I thought you guys were down under, not backwards. You may not follow the custom, but the least you can do is recognize that it's how people make their living, not freaking pan-handling.

15% is the standard (minimum) on most services that invlove tipping.

yep 15%.

maybe in australia the waiters and waitresses get paid a lot more than here in the States? is that true? that'll be a nice trivial to know.

I hope so, since waiters aren't paid minimum wage in most (possible all) states.

Okay, first thing Origin:

Minimum wage in much of America is 6.00-6.50. Waiters in America often make 2.00 or less an hour. How is that legally possible? They rely on tips. Without your tips, they could literally go home with 10 dollars for a night's work.

The minimally acceptable percentage is 10, but I very strongly would recommend against it. By "minimally acceptable," I mean "if you gave them less, they may complain openly and/or ask if the service was bad."

15 percent is what a person tips as the fair minimum. This isn't especially high, but it won't get you grumbles. 20 percent is generous -- it's what Waiters shoot for in a night. 20 percent overall for all tips is good for them.

Keep in mind that the only people you really have to tip are Waiters and Taxi Cab drivers. With some very rare exceptions, that's it. McDonalds employees don't count: just people who individually wait on you in finer establishments.

should add that in a lot of restaurant for parties of 6 or greater an 18% tip is automatically included. just so you don't tip like, 18+15 = 33%...

EDIT: not that 33% isn't a nice and generous thing to do :) 

Why exactly do waiters and taxi drivers get tipped anyways if they are already being payed for their job I mean there are a few jobs out there that aren't exactly easier and don't garner any tips. For example staying in the restraunt the buss-boy who actually cleans up your food only makes his wage. The delivery people also get tipped while all they did was drive to your house someone else prepared the food for you and they are already payed higher wages for being drivers to my knowledge. You don't tip the guy in home depot that helps you find what you need or the loaders that make minimum wage lifting what you bought into your car. Why are waiters so special in this case just curious on others thoughts on this issue I usually do tip 15% but never really understood why waiters specifically earned it.

So is there a list of occupations that you can legally "earn" (not including tips) less than minimum wage in? (I don't live in North America) Is it legal to tip below 10%? Do you have to pay tax on your tips?


To be honest, it sounds like a horrible system.

Aussie don't tip, but I know some places have a Tip bowl, where you can add money. I feel most ppl donate alot that way. I often say keep the change etc. I'm not sure how much waiters earn, but I think it's about $15 an hr plus whatever (tips) they get ie like pubs etc. my friend was getting $30 au for a barman.


Does TIP mean Towards Improved Performance. Don't bother asking aussies for a Tip... they would prolly say "be good to your mother" :P sorry old aussie ad :P

yes, income is still income.   of course it's taxable.

whether you decide to get away with it is another issue, lol.

though some restaurants pay out tips colletively, so there you can't avoid taxes.

so it's generally better to tip in cash... sometimes even go out of your way to.  like, 0.00 tips on the credit card but cash tips on the side.

and yeah... as Bodhesavta said waiters get below, way below, minimum wage.

once i wait to a buffet and thought i don't need to tip because it's a buffet, and as i was leaving, the waitress (or rather, attendent) actually came over and said, "you forgot to leave tips.  we depend on the tips for income." 

a lot of waiters and waitresses are illegal immigrants... that's fairly well documented.  obviously not at the upper scale restaurants, where the restaurant owner actually files W-2 or 1094 or one of those tax forms.

anyhow.  i hear a lot about these stories.  don't know so much about cab drivers...

but i mean generally i like to tip a little more because we seem to be a little more fortunate than they are.  what's an extra dollar?