My SO and I are eloping to Las Vegas and having a trip around California at the end of January. We’re from Australia (I’ve been to Canada before so have been a little exposed to tipping but not much) and I’m anxious I won’t tip when I should or not tip enough, in these situations when would Dopers tip?
[ul]
[li]Getting hair and make up done and have a package price for this which will be prepaid.[/li][li]Limo to the venue which will also be prepaid (this one I’m pretty sure yes, just unsure of how much).[/li][li]The person performing the ceremony (I’ve seen some sites reference a donation of $50).[/li][li]Table gambling.[/li][li]A guided scuba diving trip.[/li][li]Drinks (in Canada about 10 years ago it was always $1 with every drink ordered).[/li][li]Taxi (do you pay on the meter? Round up? 20%?)[/li][/ul]
The only one I’m sure of is the $1/drink. Unless it some giant pain in the ass blender bullshit that costs $15…then go to at least $2 or $3…which is about 20%…I’d assume 20% would be good for everything else, but I’ve never worked in those other fields to know.
Although not necessary, crap dealers appreciate a few dollars on the pass line, “For the boys”. This can be very helpful on a busy table, as they will pay special attention to your bets.
Drinks while playing may be free, but whoever serves it to you deserves a tip of at least $1 to $2 per drink. IME, they will accept either currency or casino chips.
I’ve got no experience with scuba diving, but on everything else you mention here, I’d tip. Although you’re causing me to realize we did not tip the officiant when we had our tiny Vegas wedding. Then again, he didn’t quite do what we asked him to do, so I don’t feel guilty about it.
Anyway, yes, tip on all of the above! I usually tip $3-$5 per trip for a cab ride unless the driver has done something exceptional or the trip is incredibly long (which, of course, can happen in Vegas traffic).
Yes, you pretty much tip on all that stuff, although I’m not sure about the scuba diving. I would just see whatever others are doing with respect to that.
As for the tables, it’s also been my practice to tip the table guys and gals when walking away after a big win. If I win $1,000, I usually give them a $25 chip. If it’s only a few hundred, then 2 or 3 $5 chips. And definitely tip the drink waitresses $2 if you want better/stronger drinks next time. And don’t be shy to ask for doubles wrt drinks.
If you pay your taxi bill with a cc the machine will helpfully suggest a tip (often like 20-35%). I would use Uber instead. Better service and no money changes hands.
$20, 20, 50, bet for the dealer then twice your average bet when you leave the table, 20, dollar a drink (even water), round it up (minimum 5 if over 20).
Just guidelines, but these people live on tips, so don’t be “one of those people.”
Every dive boat I’ve been on in the US has had a tip jar, so tips would be polite, depending on the level of service and how much personal attention you get/need from divemaster, guides, etc.
If everything seems OK and you feel like everybody did their jobs - there’s no real guideline, but $15 or $20 in the tip jar wouldn’t go amiss.
