By Raúl Rodríguez Cota
May 2, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
When tipping in restaurants and other establishments, it is important to keep in mind some common practices that may be considered rude.
Here are some ways to tip that you should avoid:
1. Tip with loose change
Sometimes it may seem tempting to leave a few loose change as a tip along with the cash.
However, for restaurant and service workers, it can be difficult to deal with loose change in addition to paper money.
Coins weigh more and can be easier to lose. It’s best to avoid coins and simply leave cash behind next time you go out.
2. Thinking that 15% is an average tip
Determining the right amount to tip can be tricky, but 15% is considered the minimum and not the average.
Servers and other people who rely on tips often receive less than minimum wage, so tipping 20% has become the standard to help workers earn more money.
3. Tip with gifts
You might bring gifts for your favorite waiter at a local restaurant or bring something you cooked to your favorite hairdresser when you get a haircut.
However, cash is still the best option no matter how friendly you are with different workers.
Plan to pay in cash or put a tip on your credit card every time you go out instead of tipping with gifts.
4. Don’t tip if the food is late
One of the biggest frustrations you can have is going to a restaurant and waiting for a meal that takes forever.
However, the delay could be out of your server’s control.
Servers are not responsible for kitchen delays or staffing issues.
Remember to tip them and don’t use tip withholding as a way to punish workers for things they can’t change.
5. Not being able to afford the tip
It can be frustrating to make dinner at home every night or drink beer with your friends in your backyard instead of going to a bar. But make sure you’ve budgeted for tips before you go out, and consider staying home or finding ways to save more money if going out means not tipping.
Keep reading:
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–Uber Eats delivery driver reveals how much money she earns with each delivery she makes
–DoorDash delivery driver reveals how much money she makes for just one hour of work