Tips for tipping in Vancouver

Here in Vancouver we tip for many different services; we leave some money to the server for a lovely dinner, the cab driver for getting us from a to b, the hair stylist for making us feel pretty/vent about the day, the barista who makes a perfect heart in our latte each morning, the hotel staff that make us feel like the kings and queens that we are…and that’s just to name a few.  In some countries, it’s not customary to tip, but here in Vancouver it’s quite anti-social to not tip in certain situations.

Restaurants: we always tip in restaurants. The standard tip ranges in-between 15%-20% of your bill. This is of course, depending on the service you have received from both your server and the quality of your meal; poor service will make the rest of your meal taste sour. Many restaurants have a “tip out”, so if you leave a restaurant without tipping, you may have just cost your server money out of their own pocket. From the tip you leave, your server will give a percentage to the bar staff, hostess, bus boys/gals and the kitchen for all the work they put into making your experience something worth coming back for.

If you’re grabbing a taxi to get around, it’s customary to tip them as well. There really isn’t a set percentage that we tip, but when in doubt round up to the next even number. For short rides a dollar or three will suffice. For longer trips, take into consideration that they have to drive back to the area where your trip first started after they have dropped you off.  The long drive back could potentially cost them other business. Cabs in Vancouver take credit cards and cash and it’s not uncommon for them to accept your U.S. dollars if you are all out of Canadian money.

During your hotel stay, there are many staff members that will go above and beyond to make your stay that much more enjoyable. A local hotel manager pointed out that when you leave a tip for house keeping, it’s best to do it each day. If you leave a lump sum at the end of your stay, the staff that cleaned your room may miss out on your gratitude if they are off work on the last day of your stay.

Remember, although tipping is customary, it’s not an entitlement and is a sign of gratitude and appreciation for a job well done.

If you’re confused about where/when/how much to tip, don’t be afraid to ask a stranger in the same situation, the concierge at your hotel or ask here. Us Canadians are happy to help.