Tipping a driver

For the past three years I have been cabbing it every where I go. Now there is a light to end of the tunnel and I will be driving again. Since I know that I will be driving soon I am getting frustrated and less patient.

I use two drivers and rarely have to go through the company to get a cab. Well today I had to call the company. The driver told me that the dispatcher told him that I was a very good tipper. For some reason that didn't sit well with me. So I would like to know what do y'all tip cab drivers. Sure wish I had asked this question a few years ago.

15% or so.

I guess I would say...Depends. If it is just a cab ride of a cabby that I called to pick me up...or hailed on the street...or got in at a cab stand...I agree with DG, that it is about 10-15%.

If, OTOH, this is more of a driver or a requested cabby that I knew, or a cabby that had been somewhat helpful and I therefore got his number and told him I was going to call him for my return...I would probably head up to the 20-25% range.

I think it is also somewhat dependent on the fare. For a short trip, I guess I tend to be a bit more generous becuase he spent all the time to come get me, and there wasn't much in the way of fare. But on a longer ($40-50) cab ride, I probably tend to be at the lower end of my scales.

Of course, I can't flash 'em any leg for a discount.

I am getting frustrated and less patient. Originally Posted by Ansley

BTW, have you tried a little estrogen supplement?

Well it seems I have been tipping pretty appropriately, if not a little on the high side.

BTW, have you tried a little estrogen supplement? Originally Posted by Rudyard K

grrrrrr you think so much like a man. Not all our moods revolve around being female.

I'm an unusually high tipper for cabbies. But then, I don't drive, and I want to instill loyalty in the driver when it comes to my calls. I also travel a lot, so it depends where I am. In a fairly big city with good cab service, I tip about 30%. I also try to order cabs the day before, and over the internet if possible. It helps (not perfectly) with timing the cab's arrival to pick me up.

In places where cabs are scarce, I try to latch onto one or two cabbies that will be loyal to me. And the tip seems to be a little higher than in a big city with competition. This doesn't always work. But with everything else, a good tip builds loyalty. (BTW, if your normal fee is $$$$/hr, and a first time hobbyist paid $$$$$$, would you be more likely to make time for him on a second call? Or would you treat him the same as any other client who paid the normal fee?)

But I have a rather unique situation, relying on cabs for transportation. Most don't have it.

(BTW, if your normal fee is $$$$/hr, and a first time hobbyist paid $$$$$$, would you be more likely to make time for him on a second call? Or would you treat him the same as any other client who paid the normal fee?) Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Way to many variables to answer that question.

But I have a rather unique situation, relying on cabs for transportation. Most don't have it. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

That was my point, I rely solely on cabs for transportation. I wanted to make sure that I have been tipping correctly.

Ansley,

10-15% is pretty normal for just an everyday cab like DG or RK posted. If you have a special cabbie then I would think 20% or more depending on the particulars of your situation. I never go above 15% when I have gotten a cab just because I am not one to frequently use them since I prefer to drive wherever I go.

That was my point, I rely solely on cabs for transportation. I wanted to make sure that I have been tipping correctly. Originally Posted by Ansley

Here's from one website, which is probably correct: http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

• Taxi, limo, paid shuttle, or van driver - 15% of the total fare. Up to 20% if the driver helps with the bags or makes extra stops. No less than $1. If someone else is picking up the tab, they are responsible for tipping also. Be careful, the rate quoted for limos often includes gratuity.
• Driver of courtesy shuttle - $1-$2 per bag if he helps with the bags.
• Auto dealership shuttle driver - Nothing.

But like I said, I tend to over-tip.

I do not tip cabbies worth a fuc. Probably some nationalistic prejudice.


But then I hardly ever take a cab.

Here's from one website, which is probably correct: http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

• . Be careful, the rate quoted for limos often includes gratuity.

-tip. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Damn , I tip the piss outta those boys and girls


Tipping is one of the reasons I quit going to Vegas. My God I hate people sticking their hand out.

(BTW, if your normal fee is $$$$/hr, and a first time hobbyist paid $$$$$$, would you be more likely to make time for him on a second call? Or would you treat him the same as any other client who paid the normal fee?)

Way to many variables to answer that question. Originally Posted by Ansley

Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

You mean its not all about the money?
(sorry, just couldn't resist)

You mean its not all about the money?
(sorry, just couldn't resist) Originally Posted by discreetgent

Well that is the biggest variable by a long shot.


Think about it

Depends. I used cabs a lot in SA but not so much here in CC. If it's one of the cabbies I used regularly, I probably overtipped. Hand over a twenty for a fifteen dollar ride. But then, those guys offer great service. They open doors, help me carry packages to the door, will route their other calls around my errand-running. One fellow in SA would even come out when he wasn't working, just for me. I've always paid well for good service.

The cabbies I don't know, the tip rides on their service. Polite, opens doors, gets me efficiently to my destination - good tip. Sits in his seat like Johnny Bench, tries to take a detour, runs the meter while filling out his log for the last three trips, asks me questions about how my boyfriend is treating me - round to the next dollar.

Just speculating, but if the dispatcher is telling other cabbies you're a good tipper, I'd say you're probably a very good tipper. It does seem a little... creepy, but I imagine the dispatcher was letting the driver know, "Treat this one well, she's earned it."

grrrrrr you think so much like a man. Not all our moods revolve around being female. Originally Posted by Ansley

There, there...

The driver told me that the dispatcher told him that I was a very good tipper. For some reason that didn't sit well with me. Originally Posted by Ansley

Just speculating, but if the dispatcher is telling other cabbies you're a good tipper, I'd say you're probably a very good tipper. It does seem a little... creepy, but I imagine the dispatcher was letting the driver know, "Treat this one well, she's earned it." Originally Posted by EmilyHemingway

Creepy? Yes. Standard practice for certain cab companies in Atlanta to "bid out" certain potentially lucrative fares? Hell yes.

I guess I would say...Depends. If it is just a cab ride of a cabby that I called to pick me up...or hailed on the street...or got in at a cab stand...I agree with DG, that it is about 10-15%.

If, OTOH, this is more of a driver or a requested cabby that I knew, or a cabby that had been somewhat helpful and I therefore got his number and told him I was going to call him for my return...I would probably head up to the 20-25% range.

I think it is also somewhat dependent on the fare. For a short trip, I guess I tend to be a bit more generous becuase he spent all the time to come get me, and there wasn't much in the way of fare. But on a longer ($40-50) cab ride, I probably tend to be at the lower end of my scales.

Of course, I can't flash 'em any leg for a discount. Originally Posted by Rudyard K

I'm not a % person either.

I tip more if I know they spend time coming to get me

I tip less (if at all other than a round up) if l know they were just around the corner or I flagged them and they only drive me a mile up the road (particularly if it is a flat fare)

I tip low on a % basis for long fares (e.g to the airport) -- I figure they are getting a pretty good fare anyway.

I tip more for: bad weather, special events, making stops/letting me run errands, or good information

Having a regular driver you can contact directly is worth a 20-25% or more tip.

Two tips for all of you:
1) Carry 1's & 5's so you can pay/tip what you want (don't pay $40 for a $25 ride just because all you have are 20's)
2) Don't be intimidated by pressure (huffing & puffing) for tips. Regular, metered cab drivers are happy with whatever you give them. On the other hand if they see you as a mark they will attempt to guilt you into thinking a generous tip is normal.