Tipping in NYC

AlecEiffel

Hi all.

Off to NYC on hol tomorrow. Quick Q about tipping. Now I know it's customary to tip and I have no issue with it. But how do you actually go about tipping say a barman? Over here in a restaurant I leave a cash tip on the table when I leave or add it to the CC payment, and would do the same over there. But how about a barman? I understand it's a $ or 2 a drink. Do I just hand it to them?? Or leave a tip on the counter at the end? Or say keep the change? If I'm due a lot of change do I just hand them a buck of it back? Confused on this one.

Ta.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

They run a tab for you and slip the bill under the coaster. Then if you order more they slip another under the coaster. So when you pay, you leave your money on the coaster. That will usually include the tip.

Aha, to be off to NYC. Bliss. Enjoy.

AlecEiffel

That's great, thanks for the advice!

Delree

A tip (geddit?) I learned from a local there was to check your bill and see what the sales tax element amounts to and there you have your tip amount.

richardw

Delree wrote: »

A tip (geddit?) I learned from a local there was to check your bill and see what the sales tax element amounts to and there you have your tip amount.

You often don't get a bill in a bar.

It's best to save $1 bills separately for tipping in bars.

Doshwaster

richardw wrote: »

It's best to save $1 bills separately for tipping in bars.

One dollar per beer is the going in most places but if you are in smarter bar then you'll find the expected tip is more likely to be $2, especially if they are mixing cocktails.

Personally, I run a tab in a bar in the US (it's very rare that they will insist on you paying after every drink) and then just add the tip to the total when paying.

Delree

richardw wrote: »

You often don't get a bill in a bar.

It's best to save $1 bills separately for tipping in bars.

If you run a tab you do, done it a million times in bars.

Although you're right if you pay round by round, in that case it's $1 per beer bought.

Mr_Wang

$1 per beer!

Woah - I just leave $1 - $2 after a session, round up in taxis and restaurants (unless there is a SC then I leave nothing) and leave it at that.

I know some tourists worry about tips, but lets not forget its discretionary, not obligatory.

Nick_C

Mr_Wang wrote: »

$1 per beer!

Woah - I just leave $1 - $2 after a session, round up in taxis and restaurants (unless there is a SC then I leave nothing) and leave it at that.

I know some tourists worry about tips, but lets not forget its discretionary, not obligatory.

I assume you never go to the same bar twice?

I have a favourite bar in NY, and I've got to know the staff quite well. They don't like the Brits because we usually don't tip, and if you don't tip then you will find it impossible to get a second drink as you just won't get served!

People in service industries in NYC work for minimum wage or less. They need tips to survive.

Meadows

AlecEiffel wrote: »

Hi all.
Off to NYC on hol tomorrow. Quick Q about tipping. Now I know it's customary to tip and I have no issue with it. But how do you actually go about tipping say a barman? Over here in a restaurant I leave a cash tip on the table when I leave or add it to the CC payment, and would do the same over there. But how about a barman? I understand it's a $ or 2 a drink. Do I just hand it to them?? Or leave a tip on the counter at the end? Or say keep the change? If I'm due a lot of change do I just hand them a buck of it back? Confused on this one.
Ta.

We have sometimes given the barman $1 a round or if sitting at the bar we give them a tip at the end, sometimes if sitting at the bar they just leave the tips you give them by your drink mat until you leave (watch some places like Campbell Apartments for one as they can add a tip to the bill, just for drinks).

Mr_Wang

Nick_C wrote: »

I assume you never go to the same bar twice?

I have a favourite bar in NY, and I've got to know the staff quite well. They don't like the Brits because we usually don't tip, and if you don't tip then you will find it impossible to get a second drink as you just won't get served!

People in service industries in NYC work for minimum wage or less. They need tips to survive.

So you are suggesting that someone would refuse to do their job properly if I didn't flick them extra cash at will?

I'm sorry, but I've spent a lot of time in the States and in regular restaurants and bars the locals only leave a couple of $$, it seems tourists get hung up and start re mortgaging their house in order to go with they believe is the local flow.