Travel Tipping Tips

Restaurant Tipping

Servers: 15 percent to 20 percent of your total bill after tax. Most servers make less than $3 an hour, so tips are really their salary.

Bartenders: $1 per drink. If you're waiting for a table, it's also polite to close your tab at the bar and then start fresh with your server for your meal.

If you order food at the bar: Same as if you were seated — 15 percent to 20 percent.
 
If you use a discount coupon for your meal: Tip your server on what the bill would have been before the discount. A little extra for discounted "happy hour" drinks is also appreciated.
 
Host/hostess/busboy: Nothing. Generally, they receive a cut of the waiters' tips each night.

Coat check: $1 per coat. Pay when you retrieve your belongings.

Bathroom attendant: Nothing, unless your attendant gives you a safety pin for that broken strap or a piece of gum for your garlic breath. Then, tip generously.

Personal Care Tipping

Salons and spas can be among the most confusing places to determine who to tip. A good rule of thumb is to tip each person based on the cost of the individual service, not your total bill.

Hair stylist: 15 percent to 20 percent. If the stylist is the owner, traditionally you do not tip him or her. The Emily Post Institute says this is changing, however. If in doubt, ask the receptionist.

Colorist: 15 percent to 20 percent

Hair washer: $1 to $2

Manicure/pedicurist: 10 percent to 15 percent

Massage therapist: 15 percent to 20 percent

Also of interest: How to call an ambulance when traveling abroad.