What about the Barista. What business trip (or day) is complete without a Latte? I end up flipping them a buck.... guidelines? Do they exist?

Very good question Curt. Let me check with my Starbucks buddies and see what they have to say about it.

Hey Tom,

I've been a "road warrior" for twenty years now. I fly seventy-five to one hundred thousand miles a year with many people that I know.

I remember way back in the 80's when we left a tip for the hotel maids. But when the 90's started, that went away.

I stay at a variety of hotels, but mostly Marriott, Hyatt, Westin and Hilton hotels.

I even remember when you could put your laundry bag on your bed with a $10 bill and when you came back, your clothes would be wash and folded.

I would be interested in what the tipping standards are in Europe. I've been to Germany, but I really didn't learn what was proper vs excessive or too little.

Be aware of cultural differences. In many parts of Europe, service is included in the check so tipping isn't necessary, though you may leave the loose change on that 44.37 euro tab. In some other cultures tipping isn't practiced at all. All this is explained in any good tour book for wherever you're going.

I recently visited Dublin for business. While enjoying a pint of Guinness at a local bar, we actually asked the bartender about tipping. He informed us that tipping should never be done for waiters, waitresses, bartenders and cab drivers throughout Dublin. According to this bartender, they all get paid adequately and don't require tips. He said about the only people you would tip in Dublin would be the bellmen at the western, upscale hotels.

It would be nice to know what other country's tipping etiquette is?

Is 15% really still holding strong as the sweet spot for tipping in America? Perhaps because I live in a metropolitan area, but mostly everyone I dine or travel with (especially friends that have once worked in service/hospitality sectors) say 20 is the new 15.

Is there an accepted disparity for tipping in certain cities/regions as opposed to others?

I'm all about tipping for good service, but I'm inclined to only tip for the cost of the food/beverage/item/service EXCLUSIVE of the tax (for those of us in states that tack that on, too). Does that make me look cheap?

In German and Austrian restaurants, don't leave a tip on the table. When the waiter/tress presents (frequently orally) the bill, round up the amount to the nearest Euro (or two or five). The gratuity is included in the bill, but as a general guideline, I round up to about 10 percent. If you don't have the exact change, tell the waiter what you are paying above the bill. The same goes for taxis: round up the fare, and tell the cab driver how much you are paying.

Wish I had people line up to hand me a few bucks... $1 ok - but three bucks/bag?? I would love to have the money they make and not have the worries my job brings!

From an article about the 10 most over paid positions in the US... at #7

7) Skycaps at major airports
Many of the uniformed baggage handlers who check in luggage at curbside at the busiest metro airports pull in $70,000 to $100,000 a year -- most of it in cash.

On top of their salaries, peak earners can take in $300 or more a day in tips. Sound implausible? That amounts to a $2 tip from 18 travelers an hour on average. Many tip more than that.

Regarding the barista tipping question, check out this Chow.com thread: http://www.chow.com/stories/10507

15% has been the norm for the last 30 years. Restraunt workers now expect 18%-20%

I just double the bill because 100% is the new 15%. Plus it just makes me look good.
I understand there is no tipping in Australia and New Z. People there told me they were angry at Americans who tipped because it made the natives look cheap by comparison.

Tipping for wait staff in the US is almost a necessity. Many states still do not mandate restaurants pay the min. wage and know that in CO for instance waitstaff get paid $2.15 ph -- tough to make a living - Agree that tipping should be for good service but sometimes it IS part of their wages

Although I do leave tips, TIP is To Insure Promptness and by definition should be offered up front of service. The issue I have with tipping, other than Cheri's point about it being part of a wait person's wage, is that we in the US don't tip everyone for the service they provide. I don't see teachers getting additional envelopes from parents, or at least if my wife or mom did, they hid it from us. I belive I'm tilting at windmills with wishing that tips as we know them today, would just go away.