9 People You Might Be Forgetting to Tip (But Should), According to Etiquette Experts

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One profession often gets overlooked when it comes to receiving tips.

the barber shop, for your Lyft or Uber ride

Many people report being asked to tip more often in the past, and only about a third of those surveyed say it's very simple to know when and how much to give a tip.

Given the growing uncertainty around tipping, this is a great moment to get the inside scoop on tipping etiquette. Reading on is completely free – and in this case, you won't need to tip.

$5 or more for two or more additional movers is also considered a good tip.

Meet Our Expert

• .
• is a co-host for a weekly etiquette podcast based in New York City.
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• She is a professional etiquette expert and the founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach, Florida.

Who to Tip, According to Courtesy Rules

Etiquette specialist and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach, Florida: Tip for services that require a personal touch or special skills.

"For instance, if someone goes out of their way to help you, provides a service that saves you time or money, or demonstrates exceptional skill or care, a tip is often in order," Whitmore says.

* (This is the norm; feel free to adjust—especially up—based on the quality of service and the luxury level of the experience.)

It's especially nice to show appreciation with a tip to any personal service provider you often interact with, like your fitness trainer, mail carrier, or newspaper delivery person, during the holiday or peak season.

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"Tipping professionals in the service industry relies heavily on generosity, so it's a great chance to show kindness. Make sure you're ready with cash," says Lisa Mirza Grotts, a San Francisco, California-based etiquette expert and founder of the Golden Rules Gal. Even though some businesses and people now accept tips through credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or Apple Pay, "when it comes to tipping, cash is the preferred choice," Grotts notes.

If you're unsure about what's considered typical in the area you're in, it's perfectly fine to ask locals, those you've traveled with, community members, or even hotel staff for guidance on what to expect.

Generally speaking, aside from those cases already mentioned, here's who to tip and how much to tip.

1. Hotel Housekeeping

This is likely the person the average American forgets to tip the most," Leighton says. Many travelers overlook this vital service, "maybe because it often happens out of their line of sight," Whitmore says. "Still, these hardworking individuals make sure your room is clean, comfortable, and well-stocked the whole time you're there.

If possible, place a note near the cash to guarantee they recognize it's intended for them – not left behind by mistake.

• $3 to $5 per night (leave this daily in case a different person or people may be cleaning each time)

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2. Hotel Concierge

It's nice to tip for help that goes beyond normal, everyday requests; the tip amount depends on the degree of assistance provided and the time and effort required.

Tipping for simple tasks like getting directions is not necessary, but if you receive personal assistance, plan an itinerary, or encounter exceptional kindness, a tip would be appreciated.

• Approximately $5 to $10 for simple services; up to $20 to $50 for more complex tasks or multi-day plans

A hotel bell boy is similar to a doorman and may also be called a bellhop. They assist guests and passengers, carry their bags, and take them to their rooms.

Not every hotel or resort offers this courtesy, but some places will take your bag from the car and put it on a cart, bringing it up to your room to make your settling in easier. This might also include a quick tour of the property and/or your room. If a bellhop or porter helps you with your bags, it's polite to tip them. However, even if you don't have cash with you at the moment, you don't have to worry about it.

Simply ask for their name if they don't have a name tag so you can recognize them later, then you can go tip them later in the day after you've made a banking transaction.

• $1 to $5 per bag.

4. Valets

If you're dropping off your car at a wedding, party, restaurant, hotel, or other location, it's a good idea to tip the valet each time your car is returned to you. Although, as the etiquette expert suggests,"if you drive a luxury vehicle and want to ensure extra special care, you can tip the valet both when you arrive and when your car is returned to you."

• $2 to $5 when your car is returned to you

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5. Coat Check

When it's cold outside, you'll often want to throw on a coat - but having one to carry around can be a hassle. If you decide to wear a coat to a dinner party or some other occasion, you might choose to check it at the entrance. In this case, when you get a claim ticket to hold onto, that's usually considered the best time to give the staff a tip.

• $1 to $2

6. Tour Guides

If your trip includes a guided tour of the city or a specific attraction, it's considerate to show your appreciation with a tip. Consider increasing or decreasing the amount based on how long you're together and the level of personal interaction, such as tipping more for a private tour and less for a larger group tour.

• $10 to $20 per person for a full day tour

There are two main groups of artists and performers in popular culture within the Visalite scheme. The first group is the "Musical Artists," which includes musicians and singers who release music either with a major or independent label and therefore attain marketing and publicity in some level.

People who are new to their local music scene might wonder if it's okay to tip an artist, but I think it's always appreciated when they do," says Amy Whidby, creative director of A. Marshall Hospitality, which owns the live music venue Puckett's Restaurant. "If you don't have any cash, it's becoming more and more common for artists to include 'virtual tip jar' information so you can show your appreciation digitally.

If you really enjoy a band or musician performing at a venue, or if you stop to watch a street performer, Whitmore recommends showing your appreciation with a tip.

• $1 to $5

8. Movers

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• $10 to $50 per hour, depending on the complexity of the move

9. House Cleaners

"While tipping isn't required, it's customary to tip after each cleaning," Whitmore says.

throughout the year.

• This visit will have a cost of 10% to 20% per visit.

How to Determine the Right Amount to Tip Your House Cleaner

This conversation isn't available yet. When it becomes available, a paraphrased version of the list of who you generally don't need to tip will be provided.

When in doubt, it can't hurt to ask or to just leave a dollar or a few. However, you have Grotts' permission to skip tipping in the following instances:

• When you're dining at a self-service style buffet restaurant or fast food restaurant
• At automated vending machines or self-service kiosks
• For professionals who have a profession and collect a salary, like plumbers, doctors, nurses, technicians, and repair workers
• Where tipping is generally not expected or is even discouraged, such as at private clubs or in some exclusive establishments, they do not add gratuity to the bill automatically, because regular patrons typically leave generous tips as a matter of course.

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