How to Tip in America

So you have finished your meal at a diner in New York, and the waiter brings the check. Now comes the part that confuses a lot of visitors: the tip.

In the United States, the tip is not really optional. Waiters earn a low base wage, and they depend on tips to make a living. You should leave something, even if the service was just okay.

How much? The simple rule is fifteen to twenty per cent of the bill. If your check is forty dollars, twenty per cent is eight dollars. Most people round up to make it easy. If the service was great, be generous and leave a little more.

You can pay with a card or with cash. If you pay by card, there is a line on the receipt for the tip; you write the amount and add it up yourself. If you leave cash, just put it on the table.

One last thing: do not tip on the tax. Tip on the food. And whatever you do, do not leave nothing. The waiter will remember.