If you ask five different men how much you should tip in any given situation, chances are you’ll get five different answers. Unfortunately, there aren’t any standardized rules when it comes to tipping other than it’s supposed to be a discretionary act that rewards good service. But let’s be honest, in this day and age there isn’t anything discretionary about tipping — despite the quality of service it’s an expected, non-optional part of the cost of being served. To help you navigate the tipping seas like a man, here are answers to some commonly asked questions about tipping.

Do I tip pre or post-tax?

Most etiquette books tell you tips should be calculated for the total prior to taxes. Most people simply use the overall bill for simplicity’s sake, but this is not a requirement.

How do I tip when I have a gift certificate or coupon?

Tipping should always be based on the standard price for goods or services. If you have a restaurant coupon for 15% off, calculate your tip on the total bill before the discount. If you have a $25.00 gift certificate at your favorite restaurant, calculate the tip based on the price of the items you ordered.

How Much Do I Tip the…

Bartender

It’s hard to think of a more critical tipping situation to get right, than tipping your bartender. Firstly, remember that your bartender is your lifeline at the bar—one bad tip could mean poor, slow service, and weak drinks. And I shudder to think what the ladies across the bar will think when you’re cheap with your bartender! Even when running a tab for the night, try to keep some singles in your pocket to tip with on every round. Because most bartenders only report their credit card tips to Uncle Sam, tipping with cash will score big points with your drink slinger.

• Beer / Simple drinks $1 per drink up to $5 for the round
• Complicated / Large rounds $1.50 – $2.00 per drink up to $10
• If you must run a tab, tip 15%-20% on of the bill

Wait Staff

When tipping your waiter or waitress, you take into consideration how well you were served, not the quality of the food. The wait staff has no control over the food, other than taking the order and delivering your food. Here’s a breakdown on the average tips you can leave for the staff.

• Wait Staff: 15% – 20% of the bill
• Take Out: 0% – 10% of the bill
• Tip Jars: 0% – 5% of the bill

The Salon

Hairstylists and estheticians often work solely on commission. Those who don’t, typically only make a small wage in addition to their tips.

• Hairstyle: 10% – 20% of the bill
• Manicure: 15% of the bill
• Pedicure: 15% of the bill
• Facial: 15% of the bill
• Massage: 10% – 15% of the bill

Hotel Staff

Prior to your arrival at a high-end hotel or resort, you may want to ask if gratuities are included in the price of the room. A recent trend for many hotels is to charge a daily fee that covers all tips for hotel services.

• Valet: $1.00 – $3.00, given once the car is returned
• Doorman: $1.00 – $2.00 for a hailed cab; $1.00 per bag in/out of car; $2.00 per bag if
  Carried to your room
• Bellman: $1.00 – $2.00 per bag
• Concierge: $5.00 – $10.00 for difficult-to-get dinner reservations or show tickets
• Room Service: 10% – 20% of the bill if gratuity is not included; if it is, included $1.00 – $2.00
• Maid Service: $3.00 – $5.00 per day. Tip daily since you may have different maids.

Travel

Whether you’re at the airport, on a cruise ship, or in a taxi-cab, following are some guidelines for each situation:

• Airport Porter: $2.00 per bag; more if the bag is heavy. $2.00 for curbside check-in
• Taxi Driver: $15% – 20% of the total fare
• Shuttle Driver: $1.00 – $2.00 per bag, if you receive help with your bags

Even with this guide, it can be difficult to determine how much to tip. The best course of action is to consider the level of service you have received and give an amount that you feel is appropriate.