Tipping is weird. It shouldn’t be, but it is. You just finished your meal, your haircut, or your Uber ride, and now you are expected to figure out how much to tip. Too little and you feel cheap. Too much and you feel like a sucker. So, what is the magic number?

The short answer is it depends, but not by much. Most of the time, tipping is about showing basic respect for someone’s service. Mind you, it is not a bonus. It is part of the deal. Tip too low, and you are basically stiffing someone who depends on that extra cash to make their job worth it.

Tipping at Restaurants

Start with restaurants. This is the most common place people freeze up. If you are sitting down and a server takes care of you, the standard tip is 20%. Not 10. Not 15 if you are “feeling generous.” It is 20, full stop. If the service was bad, speak up to the manager. Don’t punish your server’s wallet.

Olly / Pexels / While there is no fixed amount, 20% of the bill is a sweet standard for tipping in the U.S.

Got takeout? That one is fuzzier. You are not being waited on, but someone still packed your order and made sure it was right. A couple of bucks is good. If it is a big order or you are picking up from a nicer place, aim for 10%.

Quick service spots like coffee shops? Toss a dollar in the jar if someone made you something fresh or went out of their way. Don’t overthink it, just tip what feels fair.

Haircuts, Nails, and Spa Stuff

You sat in a chair for an hour while someone made you look better. You tip for that. Always. The usual tip for barbers, hairstylists, and nail techs is 20%. This includes colorists and people who wash your hair. They work long hours on their feet, and tips keep them going.

However, if you are at a salon where multiple people helped you, try to break it up a bit. Tip the main stylist the most, then give a few bucks to the assistants. If you are not sure, ask the front desk who gets what.

Rideshares and Taxis

You hop into a rideshare, the driver gets you where you need to go, and you hop out. That tip screen pops up, and most people skip it. Don’t. Tip at least $2 to $5 for short rides. If the trip was longer, or the driver helped with bags or waited for you, bump it up.

Cotton Bro / Pexels / A $2 to $5 tip is ideal for hotel staff, but go higher if you are staying for a long time.

Taxi drivers still exist, and the same rules apply. They have to deal with traffic, cranky passengers, and confusing GPS signals all day. Tipping is part of their paycheck. And if someone is driving you through a storm or late at night, they definitely earned more than the default.

Hotel Staff

Housekeeping deserves a tip. After all, they are the invisible backbone of every hotel. Leave $2 to $5 per night on the pillow or desk. If your room is messy or you are staying for a while, go higher.

Bellhops and valet drivers? Tip each time. $2 to $5 is good, depending on how much they do. If they are hauling five bags or running through the rain to get your car, don’t be stingy. They will remember, and good service follows good tipping.

Food Delivery

Delivery drivers are not your personal butlers. They work fast, often in traffic, bad weather, or late hours. They deserve more than a quarter leftover from your change jar. Tip at least 15%, but 20% is better. If the food came fast, hot, and correct, reward that.

Ordering through an app? Tip through the app or in cash. Either works, but don’t skip it. Drivers see who tips and who doesn’t, and believe it or not, that can affect who picks up your next order.