How much is appropriate to tip?

HilaryH1231

So I've heard (and it seems to be confirmed in the thread below, to some extent) that you really only have to tip people who DO NOT own their own businesses (although we may end up  tipping others, depending on how the day goes). My question is how much is an appropriate amount to tip? The only people we're working with who do not own their own business are our band members and the staff at the venue. Our manager at the venue was like, "Oh people typically tip the maitre d' 2-300 dollars". I don't know if that's appropriate or if he was just trying to get more money out of us? And what would be appropriate to give to the band members? (we have 7 of them, eek).

tpender13

I use the general restaurant restaurant server tipping rule for most things: good service, 20% or more; "meh" service, 15%; bad service, 10% or less. Though I tend to err on the side of tipping more if I'm on the fence, as I waitressed for several years.

This article spells it out.
http://www.frugalbride.com/tipping.html

EDIT: Now that I've taken a closer look at that article, I think that they're estimates for wait staff, bartenders, and DJ are a little low. Maybe that's just b/c I've done all three jobs...

HilaryH1231

Ahh thank you! It's nice to have a guide I'll send this right over to FI.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

20%, if you live in the US.

for the band, I'd split the 20% between them, or just give the band leader the envelope with small, evenly divided bills so he can divy it up.

I don't like the whole, "whoever owns their business doesn't need a tip" rule. My photographer works for herself and I'm tipping her because she's AWESOME. Then again, I tip everyone who needs to be tipped, plus people who deserve it.