Listening Exercise: Tipping in the USA

How much to tip in the USA

In my student days I used to work in a restaurant in England, and whenever an American came in, my colleagues and I would fight to serve them, as we know they would leave a generous tip.

Tipping is a cultural thing, and while it is acceptable to leave a euro after a meal in Spain, even a tip as low as 10% of the price of the meal could be considered insulting in the USA. In my days as a waiter in England, we used to make the minimum wage, and could usually double that in tips earned from the customers. Some people are against tipping, some reluctantly tip, and others don’t think twice about it. However, whatever your attitude towards tipping, it is customary and expected in the USA, and as the saying goes: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

Now, tips aren’t just limited to waiters in the USA, but are generally given to many different professions, and the customary percentage varies depending on the job. It all seems very complicated, doesn’t it? Well worry not! In this listening exercise, we are going to listen to a video that will explain everything you need to know about tipping in the USA. 

Listening Exercise:

Answer the questions, and write your answers in the comments below. We will then reply with the answers!

Questions:

1. Why do Americans tip more than anywhere else in the world?

2. When is the tip already included on the bill in a restaurant?

3. When should you tip the doorman in a hotel?

4. When might your give $20 to a concierge?

5. What might happen if you give regular tips in a bar?

Don't forget to write your answers in the comments section below!

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