The Importance of Tipping and Proper Etiquette in Canada

As a new Canadian or a novice tip-giver, you may wonder about tipping in Canada in certain situations. In a survey on tipflation conducted by Hardbacon, more than 60% of Canadians said they felt manipulated by payment terminals into giving larger tips. Further, those requests come more often and at stores that didn’t seek out tips before. Follow our tips to make sure you don’t accidentally offend anyone while trying to show your generosity!

Why Should I Give Tips?

Canadians commonly tip workers as a way to show their appreciation for good service. While you can make a personal choice, Canadians have several reasons for giving tips to service workers. At times, it incentivizes better service, but in many professions, employees expect tips since they form a significant part of their wages.

To Get a Better Service

First, tips can serve as a direct feedback mechanism for service workers. When individuals receive tips for exceptional service, it reinforces their efforts and motivates them to provide excellent service to customers. By tipping generously, you acknowledge and reward the hard work and dedication of these individuals.

To Recognize the Value of Service

Service workers, such as waitstaff, bartenders, delivery drivers and hotel staff, often work long hours and perform physically demanding tasks. Tipping in Canada recognizes the value of their service beyond their base wages. It allows customers to express gratitude for the extra effort put in by these workers to ensure a positive experience.

Tipping to Support Livelihoods

In many professions, tips form a significant part of employees’ income. Of course, the minimum wage laws apply to all workers in Canada. Historically, certain industries, such as the hospitality sector, have had a lower minimum wage for employees who receive tips. However, only Quebec has a lower minimum wage for food and beverage servers. Tipped employees get paid $12.60, a few dollars less than minimum wage in other industries. Regardless, every dollar an employee takes home helps them pay their bills so every little bit helps. Here are the minimum salaries for employees across Canada: 

Tipping Etiquette in Various Settings

Knowing the appropriate amount to tip in various settings can confuse you, but why not show appreciation for good service? Follow these guidelines to hit the right mark:

Restaurants and Bars

When eating out, diners customarily leave a tip of 15% of their total bill, before tax. This shows their gratitude for the service provided by the server. However, if the service exceeded expectations, feel free to leave a larger tip. On the other hand, if the service disappointed you, you may tip less or speak to a manager about your experience.

Remember, servers often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the service industry.

Fast Food and Retail

In the realm of fast food restaurants and retail establishments, staff don’t typically expect tips. However, these types of businesses have begun to include tip options on the point-of-sale (POS) terminals, letting customers decide. Our 2024 survey about tipping habits revealed that 24% of Canadians now leave a tip in these establishments.

In fast food restaurants, where tipping rarely happens, some customers may choose to leave a little extra occasionally. This serves as a means of expressing appreciation for the service provided. Even a dollar or some loose change makes for a thoughtful gesture in these settings.

Similarly, in coffee shops, customers commonly round up the bill or leave a small amount as a token of appreciation. For example, if the total for a cup of coffee costs $3.50, leaving an additional $0.50 shows gratitude. 

In bakeries, tips can be given to acknowledge the generosity of the staff. For instance, if you purchase six croissants and receive an extra one, customers may say ‘thanks’ through a tip. The amount given in such cases can vary. However, consider giving $1 or more, depending on the level of satisfaction and the value of the extra item received.

Delivery Services

What about when it comes to receiving deliveries through apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes? You’ll want to recognize the effort put into bringing your order to your doorstep. Whether you get food or other items, tipping serves as a meaningful way to show appreciation to the delivery person.

The most common tip for delivery apps is 10%. However, factor in external factors such as weather conditions and distance when determining your tip. If you live in a remote area, if the weather is particularly harsh or if your order is small, you may want to tip more generously.

In the end, tipping in Canada is also about brightening someone’s day. Whether you mark a special event, the holiday season or a routine delivery, even small tips go a long way. Ultimately, it makes the delivery person feel valued and appreciated for their work.

Uber Rides

Tipping Uber drivers acknowledges that you value their service. When Uber first started, we couldn’t tip the drivers. That may explain why 24% of people using Uber still don’t tip their drivers! When they do, they average tip is 10% according to our survey. Typically, that ranges from $1 to $2 for short rides to $5 for longer rides.

You can give tips after every ride, regardless of the total fare. Even small tips accumulate and make a difference for drivers facing expenses like gas, maintenance, taxes, insurance and mobile data. Tipping can help drivers afford these costs and maintain their vehicles properly, ensuring safety for passengers.

In B.C., Uber and other gig-based drivers now earn a minimum hourly wage of $20.10 – $3.35 more than the current general minimum wage. This applies to a gig worker’s “engaged time” between accepting an assignment and completing it.

Personal Care Services

When visiting hair salons or spas, plan to tip around 10% of your total bill. This demonstrates your appreciation for the hard work and expertise of the stylist or technician who provided your service. Make sure to tip the person who provided the service directly, rather than giving the money to the receptionist.

By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the personal care industry and their hard work.

Tipping During Special Events and Holidays

During special events and holidays, keep in mind the people who work hard to make these occasions memorable. Whether you attend a wedding, host a large party or receive flowers, tipping says ‘thank you’ to those who serve you.

Weddings and Large Parties

Weddings and other large events create stress for those who work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. Commonly, bartenders and waiters get tipped 15% of the total bill or by a flat per-person rate. However, check with the event planner or venue to determine if gratuities are included in the bill. If so, you may still want to consider offering a small tip to show your appreciation for exceptional service.

In addition to tipping service staff, you may also want to tip other vendors who provide services for your event. For example, you may tip a DJ or photographer at the end of the night to recognize their hard work.

Tipping in Hotels

When it comes to tipping in Canada’s hotels, it reflects good service by hotel employees. Bellhops, who assist with luggage, are typically tipped $1 to $2 per bag, with slightly more for oversized or challenging items. In small B&Bs where owners handle luggage, don’t plan to tip. However, if other employees provide bellhop services, please offer a tip.

Housekeeping staff often go unnoticed, so leave a daily tip of $2 to $5, depending on the job’s size. You can choose to leave a note with the money to express gratitude. For valet service, tip around $5, depending on the effort and care taken by the driver.

Tipping Tour Guides

If you go on a guided tour or outdoor activity like skiing or rafting, plan to tip your guide or instructor 10% of the tour value. This shows appreciation for their expertise and hard work in providing a safe and enjoyable experience. If the activity lasts longer than a day, you can adjust the tip accordingly or pay up at the end.

By leaving a generous tip, you can help support those in the tourism and outdoor recreation industry. They work hard and deserve a little extra from grateful clients.

How Much to Tip

Knowing how much to tip can be tricky, but it ranks as an important part of etiquette and good manners. Whether you dine out, stay in a hotel or get a massage, tipping in Canada says a lot about you. Follow these tips on how much to tip in different situations, as well as when to tip more or less.

Standard Percentages

As mentioned, a good rule of thumb says to aim for 15% of the total bill before tax. In Canada, the average tip is 15% in sit-down restaurants, and 10% for other establishments and services like hair salons and deliveries, according to Hardbacon’s 2024 survey on tipping habits. However, check for a specific suggested or expected amount, especially in places like hotels or spas.

Exceptional Service

If you receive exceptional service in any field, leave a larger-than-normal tip. This could include anything from an exceptionally warm welcome at a hotel to a particularly engaging museum tour. In situations like these, it shows you value the hard work and effort that went into making your experience memorable.

Further, you may receive exceptional service from someone who doesn’t normally receive tips – like librarians. Surprise them with a nice gesture of a small tip as a way of saying thank you.

When Not to Tip or to Tip Less

While you’ll rarely encounter situations where tipping is discouraged, in some circumstances you don’t need to. For example, you don’t have to tip in fast food restaurants or stores that sell everyday items. 

Similarly, if you’ve received poor service, feel free to tip less or not at all. However, speak to the manager or supervisor if you’ve had a bad experience. That way, it gives them the opportunity to address the issue and improve service in the future.

Navigating Unique Scenarios

You may not know when and how much to tip in different situations. These tips on navigating unique tipping scenarios may help you feel more confident when dining out or receiving services.

Subpar Service

In infrequent cases, you might justify adjusting the gratuity to less than 10%-15%. Bear in mind, factors such as overcooked meals, establishment ambiance or parking difficulties should not sway your tip. The tip should reflect the service quality.

Three situations might warrant a reduction in your tip:

• First, if a waiter or waitress personally offends or insults you, you can lower their tip. Tolerating verbal rudeness should never be an obligation for customers. 
• Second, indifference by your server, by ignoring requests or disregarding order mistakes, signifies a lack of commitment to their role. This scenario qualifies for a lower tip. 
• Lastly, any manifestation of discriminatory behavior by the server provides a valid reason for withholding the tip. In such instances, either involve a superior or depart from the establishment. 

These tipping exceptions underscore the criticality of delivering service with respect and attention.

Tipping in Cash vs. Credit Card

We encourage you to carry small bills or change to tip with cash when possible. Cash tips feel more personal. Some establishments, such as food trucks or street vendors, may only accept cash. In these cases, cash tips are your only option.

Our survey revealed that 65% of Canadians left a tip solely because the payment terminal offered this option. While this may be good news for workers receiving the tip, you may end up paying more than expected. Respondents to our survey were particularly irritated by payment terminal tipping choices starting at more than 15% or applied to the after-tax amount.