The act of tipping can sometimes feel like it comes with a lot of unknown or constantly changing rules. Of course, most people know it's customary to leave at least 20 percent in certain situations. But the list of people expecting at least some gratuity is surprisingly much longer than you might realize. We've reached out to etiquette experts to see which workers often get overlooked when it comes time to settle up. Read on to discover the five people you're most likely forgetting to tip.
READ THIS NEXT: 5 Places Where Tipping Can Get You Much Better Service, Experts Say.
1 | Hotel concierge
iStockStaying at a hotel comes with all kinds of perks and comforts, thanks to the hardworking staff who provide them. But guests often overlook one in-house service when it comes time to leave a tip.
"Many people assume that because they're paying for an overnight stay the concierge is included. It is not," etiquette expertLisa Mirza Grotts tells Best Life. "The concierge goes over and above the call of duty to make reservations and perform other helpful tasks, so don't forget them in your giving practice."
2 | Tour guides
Look Studio/ShutterstockEven the best travelers sometimes need to rely on other locals' expertise to learn about a new destination. And if your trip happens to include a guided tour of any kind, make sure to leave them a little something extra once you're done.
"Remember to tip tour guides, and make sure to have some cash on hand to make it easy," says Kristi Spencer, etiquette expert and founder at The Polite Company. "Generally, giving around 10 to 20 percent of the tour cost is recommended."
READ THIS NEXT: 6 Places You Should Never Tip, According to Etiquette Experts.
3 | Home delivery employees
iStock / RawpixelIt can be exciting to wait for a big purchase to arrive at your doorstep once you've already paid for it. But when delivery crews arrive with your item, Grotts says you should be prepared to hand them a little something extra for their trouble.
"I don't mean a food delivery driver, where of course you would tip. I mean having a television or a furniture delivery where they work extra hard," she explains. "Cash is king here."
4 | Hotel housekeeping staff
ShutterstockStaying in a hotel often means returning to a room that's been tidied while you were out during the day. And of course, the staff who make that possible are the kind of service workers who should get a tip.
"If your hotel has daily cleaning services with different staff members each day, it's a good idea to offer a daily tip as a way to appreciate their work," says Spencer.
Compared to a lump sum at the end of your stay, this allows the rotating staff who take care of your room to all get a piece of the gratuity you're leaving.
For more life advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
5 | Most service workers around the holidays
iStock / LightFieldStudiosIt's common knowledge that restaurant servers and spa attendants are expecting a little extra when it comes time to pay the bill. But according to Jules Hirst, etiquette expert and founder at Etiquette Consulting, many of the other people you rely on should also see some gratuity sent their way during a specific time of year.
"Around the holidays, it would be a good idea to remember these people with a little holiday bonus for their efforts throughout the year," she says. "Because everyone could use a little extra around the holidays."
Hirst says the list could include your mail carrier, newspaper delivery person, dog walker, babysitter, pet sitter or groomer, personal trainer, gardener, tailor, or doorman in your building.
