how do you tip?

[forestdale]

I need advice about tipping.  My DS is going to live in Canada and in one of the forms he received from his new employer it states that when he's picked up at the airport by the employer's bus, he can tip the driver if he wants to.

We rarely tip in Australia and when I lived in Europe, we didn't tip either.  The only time I've tipped anyone is when taxi drivers have carried bags or parcels for me and then I just told them to "keep the change".  My DS has received quite a few tips from people he's cooked for - it went into a jar and was shared with the staff when there was a good amount in the jar

So what are the rules?  Do you tip everyone who does anything for you? How much is the normal rate? If there such a thing as too much or too little?

Please help.

[Jayne]

We always tip 20% ...some people go 15%

[Darlene]

Found these online, hope they help.
Tipping etiquette Service is not included in restaurants, bars or pubs, so a tip of 15% is customary, more if the service is exceptional (sticklers will calculate the tip on the net amount, before provincial tax and GST). Hotel bellboys and porters should be tipped $1 per bag. If the hotel concierge is particularly helpful, a $5 tip is appropriate. got that from~http://www.bradmans.com/northamerica/vancouver/

Here's another ~Tipping Tipping etiquette is the same as in the United States: 15% to 20% in restaurants, C$1 (US75¢) per bag for bellboys and porters, and C$1 to C$4 (US75¢-US$3) per day for the hotel housekeeper. Taxi drivers get a sliding-scale tip -- fares under C$4 (US$3) deserve a C$1 (US75¢) tip; for fares over C$5 (US$3.75), tip 15%.
from~http://www.frommers.com/destinations...tID=0171020016

[Mamawolf]

For food service, I tip 20% if service is good. For taxis or for a transport like that, we were told to tip $1 per bag. I also tip my hair stylist about 15%. You are supposed to also tip for spa services, but I've never gone that it hasn't been a gift.

[homesteadmamma]

It is not required though if he doesn't want to or if the service is poor.

The going rate to tip at a restaurant is 15% in Canada. Do we always tip - nope. The service has to be good, the food good and the waiter/waitress pleasant. Do we tip 15%, no. We tip what we feel we can.

If we go out with a group, everyone usually throws in a loonie or a toonie ($1 and $2).

Rhonda, you'll find many people don't tip when it comes to taxis, etc. at least anywhere I've seen. Most people do tip though when it comes to fancy restaurants. Places like A&W, Wendy's etc. you don't tip at all.

Also here in CAnada, most restaurants will have it right in the debit card machine. If you want to tip, you just punch in the amount and its taken right out of your bank account, along with the amount you punch in that comes out of account from your debit card. If you don't want to tip, you just don't punch in a number.

[forestdale]

thanks everyone!

CJ, Canada seems so "foreign" with things we never do here. I'm sure he'll fit right in when he gets there though.

I really do appreciate all the infomation you give me.