First things first: you won’t tip every vendor. Photographers, photo entertainment providers, and decorators do not expect gratuity. And you wouldn’t tip the owner of a company. (If you do, they’ll just distribute it to working staff members.)
Caterers and Venues
- In general, catering teams warrant gratuity if service was great.
- The service charge, which you’ll see included in contracts and on your final catering bill, is NOT the tip. That covers the hourly wages of servers.
- For excellent service, some caterers report that servers get a $20 tip, and bartenders $40. A banquet captain or buffet manager may get $50.
- Other caterers report a flat 20% gratuity given on the final food and beverage fees for the owner to distribute to staff at their discretion.
- When catering is provided through a hotel or event venue, the server and bartender tipping guide still applies, but you may also include a tip for your event manager if the experience exceeded expectations.
- If you’re unsure about your caterer’s tipping policy, ask about it in a planning meeting. Make sure tipping is not already included in your contract and confirm how many servers/bartenders you will have at your event.
- Also don’t forget to think about ALL your caterers – Shabbat dinner, Kiddish luncheon, etc.
DJs/Musical Entertainment
- The DJ/MC/Dancer crew typically gets tipped for managing the party flow and creating the right atmosphere for guests.
- Several DJs say any form of “thank you” is appreciated, but for those who wish to give cash, here’s a guideline for tipping:
– MC $40-$100 per person
– DJ and Dancers $20-$40 per person
– Production crew (if staff is there to set up and breakdown stage, light kit, screen, etc.) $10-20 per person
Transportation
For safe, on time pick-ups of the kid crew or relatives, a tip of $20-$30 for the coach or limo driver is appropriate.
Synagogue Staff
You might offer a $20-$40 tip to the support services staff of your synagogue, depending on the size and scope of your on-site bar mitzvah arrangements – for setting up your Shabbat dinner, Kiddush luncheon or evening affair.
Clergy
While this isn’t a “tip”, it’s a nice touch to make a donation to your synagogue (through a discretionary fund, religious school fund, or whichever category is meaningful to your family) in appreciation of the rabbi and cantor following the bar/bat mitzvah weekend.
Remember, it’s totally OK to have conversations with your vendors beforehand about their tipping policies and how you can acknowledge outstanding service. And that’s an important TIP!
I'm an event planning enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the intricacies of tipping etiquette and vendor relationships within the context of events like bar mitzvahs. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work closely with various vendors, caterers, DJs, and other professionals involved in event execution. My firsthand experience has provided me with valuable insights into the nuances of tipping practices and how they contribute to fostering positive relationships with service providers.
Now, diving into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Gratuity for Vendors:
- Photographers, photo entertainment providers, and decorators typically do not expect tips.
- It's advised not to tip the owner of a company, as they may redistribute it to working staff if received.
-
Caterers and Venues:
- The service charge in catering contracts is not a tip; it covers the hourly wages of servers.
- Gratuity for catering teams is warranted for excellent service.
- Tipping guidelines for caterers may include $20 for servers, $40 for bartenders, and $50 for banquet captains or buffet managers.
- Some caterers may apply a flat 20% gratuity on final food and beverage fees for distribution to staff.
- When catering through a hotel or venue, consider tipping the event manager if the experience exceeds expectations.
-
DJ/Musical Entertainment:
- The DJ/MC/Dancer crew is typically tipped for managing the party flow and creating the right atmosphere.
- Tipping guidelines for this category include $40-$100 per person for MC, $20-$40 per person for DJ and Dancers, and $10-$20 per person for the production crew.
-
Transportation:
- For safe and on-time services, a tip of $20-$30 for the coach or limo driver is appropriate.
-
Synagogue Staff:
- Consider offering a $20-$40 tip to the support services staff of your synagogue, depending on the size and scope of the arrangements.
-
Clergy:
- While not a tip, making a donation to your synagogue in appreciation of the rabbi and cantor is a nice touch.
-
Communication with Vendors:
- It's recommended to have conversations with vendors beforehand about their tipping policies and how to acknowledge outstanding service.
In conclusion, understanding and appropriately applying these tipping practices can contribute significantly to a smooth and positive event experience. It's crucial to appreciate the efforts of the various professionals involved in making your bar mitzvah memorable.
FAQs
The appropriate amount to tip servers depends on your service. 15% is appropriate for average service ; 20% if your server is above average. You should feel free to tip above 20% if you received excellent service. If you received poor service, it is better to talk to the manager than skip on the tip.
Who should you tip and how much? ›
Deciding how much to tip depends on what kind of service provider you're working with and how well they do their job. But if you're looking for a general rule for services in the U.S., you should typically tip 15% to 20% of the bill, according to most etiquette experts we interviewed.
How do I figure out how much to tip? ›
Figuring out the tip
If your total bill is $200 and you want to tip 15%, work out the tip by multiplying the total bill by 0.15. You can then add this amount to your bill when it comes to pay. Simple. Or alternatively, you can multiply the bill excluding service by 1.15 (assuming you want to leave that same 15% tip).
What is considered a generous tip? ›
When you go out to eat at a sit-down restaurant, you should tip 20%. And if you really want to be generous, go for the 25% mark. Remember: Many servers make around $2 per hour, so they're counting on those tips to make ends meet.
How much do you tip for a $50 meal? ›
A 20% tip is calculated as 20% of your total bill amount. To further calculate a tip, multiply your bill amount by 0.20. For instance, if your bill is $50, a 20% tip would be $50 x 0.20 = $10.
Who should you not tip? ›
As a blanket rule, you don't need to tip anyone who earns a salary or performs a trade. That means you don't have to tip doctors, lawyers, teachers, plumbers or cable technicians. "Not only would it not be expected, it would be highly unorthodox and very awkward," says Farley.
Is it rude to not tip for takeout? ›
Tipping really doesn't have any specific rules, but you never want to look like a jerk if you missed the memo on the unspoken rules of tipping. Like when it comes to tipping on takeout orders, it's certainly not required (and not everyone does it), but it is a nice thing to do.
How much should I tip my hairdresser? ›
Most of these experts suggest leaving 15% to 20%, depending on the service and your satisfaction. Going with 20% is nice for the stylist and you because that math is pretty simple. To find 20%, start by finding 10%, then double that amount.
How much do you tip for a $30 meal? ›
In the U.S., a tip of 15% of the before tax meal price is typically expected.
How much do you tip a hairdresser on $200? ›
How Much to Tip Hairdresser or Barber: Standard Gratuity
| Total Bill | Industry Standard: 20% | Above and Beyond Service or Holiday Tip: 25% |
|---|
| $100 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| $250 | $50.00 | $62.50 |
3 more rowsMar 14, 2024
Industry insider: common consensus says 15-20% is considered a normal tip, but honestly any amount less than 20% is considered a bad tip.
What happens if I don't tip? ›
In America, tipping is optional in name only.
Legally it's voluntary but if you slink out of a restaurant without leaving a gratuity of between 20 and 25 per cent, you're likely to be chased by a waiter demanding to know why.
Do people no longer know how much to tip? ›
'There's this very awkward social component' to tipping now
That has left some people feeling like they don't know how much to tip anymore. About 15% of people say they're confused about how much to tip and who to tip, according to Bankrate's survey.
Is $5 dollars too little to tip? ›
"It depends on how big your order is — good tips are at least 15%," said a DoorDasher who declined to share his name. That means the woman who tipped $5 on her $20 DoorDash order — which is a 25% gratuity — actually gave quite a good tip, drivers said. "A $5 tip on a $20 order? That's not bad at all.
How much do you tip for $20 food? ›
People generally tip 15-20% of the bill.
How much should I tip on a $300 bill? ›
My personal baseline percentage for tipping in a restaurant whether it is a waiter or a waitress is usually 20% of the bill. For example if my bill was $300 I would tip $60. How does that sound to you?
Is 20% tip rude? ›
20% is the REAL standard for tips
It was there I got an inside look at the dark underbelly of the US's tipping culture. Industry insider: common consensus says 15-20% is considered a normal tip, but honestly any amount less than 20% is considered a bad tip.
Is 10% a reasonable tip? ›
So, yes. 10% is/was entirely acceptable. If you receive service that is acceptable, that is at least average in comparison to other service that you have received in the past, then you should tip at least 15% in the USA. If the service is above average, you should consider tipping more.
Is a $5 tip too low? ›
"It depends on how big your order is — good tips are at least 15%," said a DoorDasher who declined to share his name. That means the woman who tipped $5 on her $20 DoorDash order — which is a 25% gratuity — actually gave quite a good tip, drivers said. "A $5 tip on a $20 order? That's not bad at all.
