Is there a Gratuity Index?

December 5, 2005 11:08 AM

Does anyone have a good resource (book, magazine article, web site, etc) that shows what the etiquette is for tipping in difference circumstances?

I know the common ones (dinner, cab drivers, etc) but for the first time I have to tip my paper delivery person. In the past my paper was thrown out side the apartment building's lobby door with everyone else's (often in the snow).

But the place I am living at now, the paper is delivered to my door, inside the building. Sunday an envelope and a card wishing me "Happy Holidays" was left with the paper.

So, is there a source that lists how much a person should give in gratuity for difference circumstances?

posted by Steve_at_Linnwood to society & culture (5 comments total)

http://www.tipping.org seems like a fairly good general purpose site.

I found newspaper delivery person here, (Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10) but I would imagine that it would vary greatly based on your area. I haven't found a site that has different amounts for different parts of the country.
posted by ND¢ at 11:31 AM on December 5, 2005

When I was a wee taco lover, I delivered the local newspaper.

I did an extremely good job (paper dry and on-time), and generally received 10-20% tips for routine service, plus $10-20 at Christmas. About 10% of my customers went higher than that, and less than 5% went lower.
posted by I Love Tacos at 11:37 AM on December 5, 2005

Oh, and this was all two decades ago, so adjusted for inflation, I guess that matches ND¢'s suggestion.
posted by I Love Tacos at 11:38 AM on December 5, 2005

More info here.

Seems like ~$25 is the going rate.
posted by esch at 11:45 AM on December 5, 2005

A little off question but the Economist's online site has local tipping ettiquette in the travel section.
posted by stratastar at 1:24 PM on December 5, 2005