The United States, with its highly inclusive and diverse culture, has welcomed immigrants from all over the world, blending different cultures together like a melting pot. This has created an open, free, democratic, and lawful living environment that attracts countless individuals pursuing the "American Dream" to choose to immigrate to the United States. It is very important to quickly integrate into local life after immigrating to the United States. Below, we will introduce some of the living habits and customs in the United States, starting with tipping in the United States.
"In the United States, tipping service personnel is a social contract." Americans voluntarily tip nearly $40 billion each year without legal compulsion. For immigrants living in the United States, knowing how to tip correctly is an important skill.
First, for the valet. If he greets you with a smile throughout the service, gives you a luggage ticket, and shares an unspoken understanding with you, it is appropriate to tip him $5 (approximately 31.4 RMB) when you retrieve your car.
Next, for the bellhop. A tip of $2 (approximately 12.5 RMB) for the first piece of luggage, and an additional $1 (approximately 6.3 RMB) for each additional piece.
Then, for the front desk staff. They can provide you with information about good restaurants nearby and help you successfully book hard-to-reserve places, so tips can range from $5 to $20 (approximately 125.5 RMB) depending on the situation.
Next, for taxi drivers (10% - 20% of the fare), who will take you to the restaurant you want to go to. If you want a good window seat, remember to discreetly tip the restaurant's maitre d' $10 (approximately 62.7 RMB). If you order wine, do not forget to tip the sommelier (at your discretion), and of course, the essential restaurant server (15% - 20% of the bill) and restroom attendant (tip $1 if you took towels and mints; more if there was an emergency or you had a quick consultation regarding marriage).
Upon returning to your hotel, if you find your room has been properly arranged, you should also tip the unseen yet important housekeeper, typically $2 to $5 per day depending on the situation.
If you need additional services, there may also be a masseuse and barber (15% - 20% of the massage and haircut prices), airport baggage handlers (tip $1 per bag, $2 for heavier bags), and tour guides (it is best to tip around 15% of the day's travel expenses).
In some non-chain pizza places, gourmet taverns, and ice cream shops, you can also tip by card, selecting a tip of 10%, 15%, 18%, or 25% on the screen, with a maximum of 30% (if you ordered some special dishes). Servers will politely not look at what you selected. Of course, there is also an option at the bottom of the screen to not tip. If you do not want to tip, do not worry about how others perceive you; the customer is king, and whatever you do is right.