Test Your Tipping Knowledge

1. Should you feel obligated to tip an employee at a take-out restaurant?

Yes.

No.

You’re not obligated to tip an employee at a take-out restaurant, according to The Emily Post Institute. However, if the employee goes above normal service, you can tip between 0 percent and 10 percent.

Explanation

You’re not obligated to tip an employee at a take-out restaurant, according to The Emily Post Institute. However, if the employee goes above normal service, you can tip between 0 percent and 10 percent.

2. How much should you tip a bartender?

$1 per drink.

$1 for every two drinks.

$2 per drink.

The Emily Post Institute says you should tip a bartender $1 per drink or 15 percent to 20 percent of the total tab.

Explanation

The Emily Post Institute says you should tip a bartender $1 per drink or 15 percent to 20 percent of the total tab.

3. Should you leave a tip for the housekeeper when you’re staying in a hotel?

Yes.

No.

The Emily Post Institute says you should leave between $2 and $5 for the housekeeper for each day of your stay.

Explanation

The Emily Post Institute says you should leave between $2 and $5 for the housekeeper for each day of your stay.

4. When you’re at a coffee shop or other establishment with a tip jar on the counter, should you feel obligated to drop your extra change in the bucket?

Yes.

No.

You should not feel obligated to drop a tip in the tip jar at any dining establishment, according to The Emily Post Institute. However, you should occasionally leave a tip if you are a regular or if the person went above normal service.

Explanation

You should not feel obligated to drop a tip in the tip jar at any dining establishment, according to The Emily Post Institute. However, you should occasionally leave a tip if you are a regular or if the person went above normal service.

5. How much of a tip should you leave for the wait staff at a buffet?

None.

10 percent.

15 percent.

The Emily Post Institute says you should tip the wait staff at a buffet 10 percent. That’s different from the wait staff at a sit-down restaurant, where you should leave a 15 percent to 20 percent tip, before tax, according to the organization.

Explanation

The Emily Post Institute says you should tip the wait staff at a buffet 10 percent. That’s different from the wait staff at a sit-down restaurant, where you should leave a 15 percent to 20 percent tip, before tax, according to the organization.

6. How much should you tip the doorman at a hotel for carrying your luggage?

None.

$1 to $2.

$4 to $5.

According to The Emily Post Institute, a doorman should get $1 to $2 for carrying luggage, $1 to $2 for hailing a cab and another $1 to $4 for going beyond the call of duty.

Explanation

According to The Emily Post Institute, a doorman should get $1 to $2 for carrying luggage, $1 to $2 for hailing a cab and another $1 to $4 for going beyond the call of duty.