Tipping in Canada (Toronto specifically)

[sue and co]

Hi,

We are coming to Toronto in a couple of months and am aware from our many trips to the US of the different tipping customs in the US compared to the UK. Can anyone confirm what is expected in Canada and specifically Toronto as that is where we are staying both in restaurants and also for housekeeping in the hotel?

Thanks

Sue

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think our tipping standards are pretty much the same as anywhere else. Restaurants would be 15-20%. Housekeeping would still be $2 per person per day.

I think if you averged any service that you tip...hair or bar or taxi...it would end up being about 15%. For me that's a good guideline.

 

[Eden]

I aim for 15% of pre-tax bill and got up from there for excellent service.

 

[busyshrew]

I agree. In Canada, we tip 15%, and go up to 20% if the service is outstanding. For buffets, we do 10%.

In the states, we usually tip higher - 20%, with 25% for great service.

 

[morethananyonex]

I agree with what everyone else has said, 15-20%.

Keep in mind, servers are paid differently in Canada then in the United States (at least they are in Manitoba, I'm fairly sure it's similar in Ontario too though). Unlike in the United States where servers are paid almost solely in tips, Canadian servers do usually make at least minimum wage. If the service is way below the quality you'd expect don't be afraid to tip according to that, not because you feel obligated, JMO.

 

[flossin74@sympatico.]

Hi,

We are coming to Toronto in a couple of months and am aware from our many trips to the US of the different tipping customs in the US compared to the UK. Can anyone confirm what is expected in Canada and specifically Toronto as that is where we are staying both in restaurants and also for housekeeping in the hotel?

Thanks

Sue

One thing that helps me is that here in Ontario we pay 13% in taxes so I usually add up the tax and add a little more. It's close enough to the 15% that is suggested.

 

[Mike2023]

I agree with what everyone else has said, 15-20%.

Keep in mind, servers are paid differently in Canada then in the United States (at least they are in Manitoba, I'm fairly sure it's similar in Ontario too though). Unlike in the United States where servers are paid almost solely in tips, Canadian servers do usually make at least minimum wage. If the service is way below the quality you'd expect don't be afraid to tip according to that, not because you feel obligated, JMO.

In ontario Server wage is less then the general min wage. So they could still use your tips.

 

[morethananyonex]

^Thanks. I stand corrected lol. If you ever visit Manitoba keep what I said in mind .

 

[sue and co]

Thanks everyone that's great - 15% is easy to work out and can can be rounded up a bit for good rather than average service.

 

[Salinger]

As of March 31, 2010, Ontario's minimum wage will be $10.25/hour, liquor server will be $8.90 (ie a bartender or server in a restaurant licenced to serve alcohol). If a restaurant is NOT licenced to serve liquor, then the regular minimum wage applies. The assumption being of course, most people will tip and when ordering alcohol, tipping is even more customary.

It's always been my POV that I tip based on service, not on how much I think a server is paid. Having said that, I have never not tipped, but on a rare occasion with terrible service, I reduce the tip accordingly. Good service I give 20% and go up from there for exceptional.

It's not the disparity you see in the US where some servers are paid as low as $1 or $2 per hour so if you receive bad service, don't be afraid to tip accordingly. (but I also say not to penalize a server for a mistake from the kitchen).

 

[LSmith]

As of March 31, 2010, Ontario's minimum wage will be $10.25/hour, liquor server will be $8.90 (ie a bartender or server in a restaurant licenced to serve alcohol). If a restaurant is NOT licenced to serve liquor, then the regular minimum wage applies. The assumption being of course, most people will tip and when ordering alcohol, tipping is even more customary.

It's always been my POV that I tip based on service, not on how much I think a server is paid. Having said that, I have never not tipped, but on a rare occasion with terrible service, I reduce the tip accordingly. Good service I give 20% and go up from there for exceptional.

It's not the disparity you see in the US where some servers are paid as low as $1 or $2 per hour so if you receive bad service, don't be afraid to tip accordingly. (but I also say not to penalize a server for a mistake from the kitchen).

I agree.

Furthermore, anyone who thinks that tipping is the same as anywhere else needs to travel outside Canada and the US. The US has one of the highest tipping standards because usually they don't pay their waitstaff minimum wage.

Certainly, the Brits are not required in the UK to tip to US standards.

In European and Asian countries it differs country to country. 5% to 10% tops in many European countries while you would NEVER tip in Japan and only rarely tip in China (usually only the Americans and Canadians tip in China).

Here is a link to USA Today with tipping in different countries.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/world/2007-09-10-tipchart_N.htm#uslPageReturn

 

[twokids0204]

Hi,

We are coming to Toronto in a couple of months and am aware from our many trips to the US of the different tipping customs in the US compared to the UK. Can anyone confirm what is expected in Canada and specifically Toronto as that is where we are staying both in restaurants and also for housekeeping in the hotel?

Thanks

Sue

I agree with - generally 15%.

Tons of dining options here in T.O.

Enjoy your visit.

If you are looking for attractions, check out www.citypass.com

 

[Melmac]

I agree.

Furthermore, anyone who thinks that tipping is the same as anywhere else needs to travel outside Canada and the US. The US has one of the highest tipping standards because usually they don't pay their waitstaff minimum wage.

Certainly, the Brits are not required in the UK to tip to US standards.

In European and Asian countries it differs country to country. 5% to 10% tops in many European countries while you would NEVER tip in Japan and only rarely tip in China (usually only the Americans and Canadians tip in China).

Here is a link to USA Today with tipping in different countries.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/world/2007-09-10-tipchart_N.htm#uslPageReturn

And I agree with you, LSmith! On a recent trip to Australia, I was shocked to find out they don't tip at all - for anything (waitstaff, tour guides, bell hops, etc). A lot of the restaurants I went to, you would be seated by a server but when you were ready to order, you would go to the cash register and order there. Someone would bring your food out to you though. This was for pubs and casual restaurants. A couple of higher end restaurants had wait staff but because they are paid a decent wage, they do not need tips to make up a loss in wage.