Quick Tipping Reference
| Service |
Tip Amount |
| Restaurant (sit-down) |
15-20% |
| Takeout |
0-10% |
| Delivery (food) |
15-20% |
| Coffee shop |
$0-$2 |
| Bar |
$1-$2 per drink or 15-20% |
| Taxi/Uber |
10-15% |
| Hair salon |
15-20% |
| Spa services |
15-20% |
| Hotel housekeeping |
$2-$5/night |
| Hotel bellhop |
$2-$5/bag |
| Valet |
$2-$5 |
Restaurant Tipping
Sit-Down Restaurants
| Service Level |
Tip Percentage |
| Poor |
10-12% |
| Average |
15% |
| Good |
18% |
| Excellent |
20%+ |
Calculating Tips
| Pre-Tax Bill |
15% Tip |
18% Tip |
20% Tip |
| $50 |
$7.50 |
$9.00 |
$10.00 |
| $75 |
$11.25 |
$13.50 |
$15.00 |
| $100 |
$15.00 |
$18.00 |
$20.00 |
| $150 |
$22.50 |
$27.00 |
$30.00 |
| $200 |
$30.00 |
$36.00 |
$40.00 |
Important Notes
| Rule |
Details |
| Calculate on pre-tax |
Tip before HST/GST |
| Automatic gratuity |
18% common for 6+ people |
| Fine dining |
20% expected minimum |
| Buffet |
10-15% (less service) |
Takeout & Counter Service
| Scenario |
Tip |
| Counter service pickup |
$0-$2 |
| Curbside pickup |
$0-$5 |
| Takeout (complex order) |
5-10% |
| Takeout (simple) |
Optional |
Delivery Services
Food Delivery
| Service |
Tip |
| Restaurant delivery |
15-20% |
| Skip the Dishes |
15-20% |
| DoorDash |
15-20% |
| Uber Eats |
15-20% |
| Pizza delivery |
15-20% (min $3-$5) |
Delivery Tip Factors
| Factor |
Adjust |
| Bad weather |
Tip higher |
| Long distance |
Tip higher |
| Large order |
Tip higher |
| Stairs/difficult access |
Tip higher |
| Late (not driver’s fault) |
Normal tip |
Other Delivery
| Service |
Tip |
| Grocery delivery |
10-15% or $5+ |
| Instacart |
15-20% |
| Package delivery (courier) |
$0-$5 optional |
| Furniture delivery |
$5-$20/person |
| Appliance delivery |
$5-$20/person |
Personal Services
Hair & Salon
| Service |
Tip |
| Haircut |
15-20% |
| Color/highlights |
15-20% |
| Blowout |
15-20% |
| Barber |
15-20% |
| Shampoo assistant |
$2-$5 |
Spa Services
| Service |
Tip |
| Massage |
15-20% |
| Facial |
15-20% |
| Manicure |
15-20% |
| Pedicure |
15-20% |
| Waxing |
15-20% |
Other Personal Services
| Service |
Tip |
| Tattoo artist |
15-20% |
| Dog groomer |
15-20% |
| Personal trainer |
Optional ($10-$20) |
| Photographer |
Optional (hire gift) |
Transportation
Taxis & Rideshare
| Service |
Tip |
| Taxi |
10-15% |
| Uber/Lyft |
10-15% |
| Airport shuttle |
$2-$5 |
| Limo |
15-20% |
| Situation |
Adjust |
| Help with luggage |
Add $1-$2/bag |
| Wait time requested |
Tip higher |
| Long trip |
Tip higher |
Hotels
Standard Tipping
| Service |
Amount |
| Housekeeping |
$2-$5/night |
| Bellhop |
$2-$5/bag |
| Concierge (directions) |
$0 |
| Concierge (reservations) |
$5-$20 |
| Valet |
$2-$5 |
| Room service |
15-20% (check if included) |
When to Leave Housekeeping Tip
| Method |
Details |
| Daily |
Leave on pillow daily |
| End of stay |
Leave with note “Thank you” |
| Envelope |
Marked “Housekeeping” |
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Current Norms
| Scenario |
Tip |
| Counter service |
$0-$2 |
| Complex drink |
$1-$2 |
| Regular coffee |
Round up or $0 |
| Table service |
15-18% |
Tip Prompt Suggestions
Many payment terminals now suggest 15-20-25%. You can:
- Select custom amount
- Select “no tip”
- Not feel obligated at counter service
When NOT to Tip
Generally No Tip Expected
| Situation |
Why |
| Fast food |
Counter service |
| Retail stores |
Not tipped industry |
| Self-serve gas |
Not applicable |
| Medical professionals |
Inappropriate |
| Government workers |
Not allowed |
| Professional services |
Fee-based |
Where It’s Included
| Venue |
Check For |
| All-inclusive resorts |
Usually included |
| Cruises |
Daily gratuity added |
| Some restaurants |
Auto-gratuity |
| Catering |
Often included |
Tipping Culture Changes
Post-Pandemic Trends
| Change |
Impact |
| Higher expectations |
18-20% now standard |
| Tip prompts everywhere |
Pressure to tip more |
| Delivery explosion |
More tipping occasions |
| Tip fatigue |
Pushback growing |
How to Decide
| Question |
Action |
| Was there personal service? |
Tip |
| Counter service only? |
Optional |
| Good service? |
Tip well |
| Terrible service? |
Reduced tip |
| Just picking up? |
Minimal/none |
Tax Calculations
Quick Methods
| Method |
How |
| Double the HST (ON) |
HST × 2 ≈ 26% (too high) |
| 1.5× the HST |
HST × 1.5 ≈ 19.5% |
| Move decimal + half |
$80 bill: $8 + $4 = $12 (15%) |
By Province
| Province |
Tax |
Tip Calculation |
| Ontario |
13% |
Tax × 1.15 ≈ 15% |
| BC |
12% |
Tax × 1.25 ≈ 15% |
| Alberta |
5% |
Tax × 3 = 15% |
| Quebec |
14.975% |
Tax × 1 ≈ 15% |