Tipping Culture Guide
Last updated: 2026-03-07 | For: The whole family
Taiwan has no tipping culture. Service is included in the price, or simply not charged separately. In the US, tipping is a structural part of the service industry — not a bonus for exceptional service, but a core component of workers' income. Skipping a tip isn't saving money. It's a social breach.
Why Tipping Exists in the US
In the US, many service workers earn a base wage below the standard minimum wage. Arizona's general minimum wage is $14.70/hour, but tipped workers can earn as low as $11.70/hour. The gap is expected to be made up by tips.
You don't have to agree with this system. But while you live in the US, you need to follow it. Not tipping hurts the individual person who served you — not the system.
Tipping Quick Reference
| Situation | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down, with server) | 15-20% | Calculate on the pre-tax subtotal. 18-20% is standard |
| Delivery (DoorDash, UberEats) | 15-20% or at least $3-5 | In summer heat, consider tipping more — delivery drivers are working in 115F |
| Uber / Lyft | 15-20% | Tip through the app after your ride |
| Hair salon | 15-20% | For cuts, coloring, and styling |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2-5/night | Leave cash on the nightstand or pillow each morning |
| Movers | $20-50 per person | Cash to each mover after the job is done |
| Coffee shop | $1-2 or 10-15% | Optional but common |
| Valet parking | $3-5 | Cash when they bring your car back |
| Bar | $1-2 per drink | Or 15-20% of your tab |
Where You Don't Tip
- Fast food (McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, etc.) — no tip
- Grocery store checkout — no tip
- Retail stores (clothing, electronics, etc.) — no tip
- Gas stations — Arizona is self-service; there's no attendant to tip
- Medical offices (doctor, dentist, optometrist) — no tip
- Government services (DMV, post office) — no tip, and you shouldn't offer one
The iPad Tip Screen
At many coffee shops, bakeries, and fast-casual spots, the cashier will flip an iPad screen toward you showing options like 18%, 20%, 25%, Custom, and No Tip. This is called the "tip screen," and many Americans find it stressful too.
How to Handle It
- Sit-down restaurant with a server: Always tip 15-20%
- Counter-service, order-and-pickup (Chipotle, 85C, etc.): 0-15% is acceptable. No tip is not rude here
- Drink shops (Starbucks, Sharetea, etc.): $1-2 or 10-15% is friendly, but zero is also fine
- Just tap the amount you're comfortable with. Don't feel pressured to hit "No Tip" — at counter-service spots, it's a normal choice
How to Calculate Tips
Always calculate your tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after tax. A few quick methods:
Method 1: Move the Decimal
Bill is $45.00. Move the decimal one place left = $4.50 (that's 10%). Double it = $9.00 (that's 20%). Fastest mental math method.
Method 2: Check the Receipt
Most restaurant receipts print suggested tip amounts at the bottom (e.g., "Suggested Tip: 18% = $XX, 20% = $XX, 22% = $XX"). Just pick a number.
Method 3: Phone Calculator
Bill amount x 0.18 (for 18%) or x 0.20 (for 20%). Not embarrassing at all — plenty of people do this.
How to write it on the receipt: The restaurant bill has a "Tip" line and a "Total" line. Write your tip amount on the Tip line, then write the bill + tip sum on the Total line. If paying by credit card, the tip is charged to your card along with the meal.
Cash tips: You can also write "Cash" on the Tip line and leave cash on the table. Many servers prefer cash tips.
Tipping Is a Whole-Family Skill
Tip Budget Estimate
For a family of four eating out twice a week (averaging $60-80 per meal), here's what tipping costs:
- Restaurant tips: $24-32/week, roughly $100-130/month
- Delivery tips: $15-20/week (if ordering frequently), roughly $60-80/month
- Hair salon: $10-20/visit, roughly $20-40/month
- Other (Uber, coffee, etc.): roughly $30-50/month
- Estimated total: $200-300/month
Tipping is an expense category that simply doesn't exist in Taiwan. Build it into your monthly budget so you're not wincing every time you sign a receipt.