Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Time (AST), and Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST). Seattle is on Pacific
Standard Time.
Tipping
Tipping is so ingrained in the American way of life that the
annual income tax of tip-earning service personnel is based on how much
they
should
have received in light of their employers' gross revenues.
In hotels, tip
bellhops
at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of
luggage), and tip the
housecleaning
or
chamber staff
$1 to $2 per day
(more if you've left a disaster area to clean up, or if you're traveling with
kids and/or pets). Tip the
doorman
or
concierge
only if he or she has pro-
vided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or
obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the
valet-parking attendant
$1 every time you get your car.
In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip
service staff
and
bartenders
15% to 20% of the check, tip
checkroom attendants
$1 per garment, and
tip
valet-parking attendants
$1 per vehicle. Tip the
doorman
only if he
has provided you with some specific service (such as calling a cab for you).
Tipping is not expected in cafeterias and fast-food restaurants.
Tip
cab drivers
15% of the fare.
As for other service personnel, tip
skycaps
(luggage carriers) at airports
at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip
hairdressers
and
barbers
15% to 20%.
