Emily Post Institute

•One theory on the origins of tipping holds that it came about in England during the sixteenth century, when coffeehouses and local pubs put out brass urns with the inscription "To Insure Promptitude."

•In the early 1900s, tipping was so unpopular that some states, including Washington, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, passed laws banning it and even made it a misdemeanor to tip. These laws were repealed between 1913 and 1926.

•Americans tip more than $23-billion in restaurants alone every year.

Source: "The History of Tipping — from Sixteenth-century England to United States in the 1910s" by Ofer H. Azar

Holiday tipping guide from the Emily Post Institute

Au pair or live-in nanny, one week's pay and a gift from your child.

Regular babysitter, one evening's pay and a small gift from your child.

Day care provider, a gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member and a small gift from your child(ren).

Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper), one week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.

Private nurse, a thoughtful gift from you.

Housekeeper/cleaner, up to the amount of one week's pay and/or a small gift.

Nursing home employees, a gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).

Barber, cost of one haircut or a gift.

Beauty salon staff, give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.

Personal trainer, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Massage therapist, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Pet groomer, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Dog walker, up to one week's pay or a gift.

Personal caregiver, between one week's to one month's salary or a gift.

Pool cleaner, the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.

Garage attendants, $10-$30 or a small gift

Newspaper delivery person, $10-30 or a small gift

Mail carrier, small gift only

Superintendent, $20-80 or a gift

Doorman, $15-$80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.

Elevator operator, $15-$40 each

Handyman, $15 to $40

Yard/Garden worker, $20-$50 each or a gift

Teachers, a gift (not cash)


A tipping guide from the Emily Post Institute

Wait service (sit down) 15-20% pretax

Wait service (buffet) 10%

Host, no obligation, $10-$20 on occasion, if you are a regular patron

Takeout, no obligation, 0-10% if the person went above normal service

Bartender, $1 per drink or 15-20% of tab

Tipping jars, no obligation but tip occasionally if you are a regular or if the person went above normal service

Restroom attendant, 50 cents-$3, depending on service

Valet, $2-$5

Skycap, $2 first bag, $1 per additional bag

Housekeeper, $2-$5 per day, left daily

Concierge, $5 for tickets or reservations, $10 if hard to get; no need to tip for answering questions

Taxi driver, 15% plus an extra $1-$2 if helped with bags

Hairdresser, 15-20%, ask to be split among those who served you

Manicurist, 15-20%

Facial, waxing, massage, 15-20%