I've read a bit about tipping and hope I have the main rules sorted (we are coming to New York later in the year for a much anticipated holiday) but am wondering about som situations other than meals, cabs etc. I am loath to "get it wrong" and not tip when I should.
Does one tip 1)the concierge, when, how much? 2)the hotel doorman eg for holding the door or for more concrete assistance such as getting a cab for instance ? 3) the bar tender..I understand its about one dollar a drink, does one count the drinks and pay on top of the tab at the end, or as one goes? And if you are paying by credit card at the end do you tip in cash? HELP
Any advice about other situations would be appreciated. Cheers.

1) I thought this was good advice about the concierge (heard on our local travel show):
"Most of the time, a polite 'thank you' or small $5 to $10 tip (in a discreet envelope, please). Big arrangements and very special favors may require a bigger tip. (Up to $100 for impossible to get tickets or arrangements.)A good rule of thumb is 'could I have pulled that off myself without the help of the concierge?' If not, a nice tip is a good way to show your appreciation."
2) I tip $1 per bag for handling by hotel staff, shuttle drivers, etc. Nothing for just holding door. $2 for cab ($3 or more if raning etc)
3) I tip by the drink as I go (but then, I usually am not drinking many!). If I'm using a credit card I put the tip on there.
4) Housekeeping - I tip $2 every morning (instead of all at once when I leave), because you can't be sure you will have the same person every day. My pet peeve - I do not tip housekeeping bringing more towels (or blankets, or pillows), when there are clearly not enough for the number of people I reserved the room for. I would tip if I called for something special (toothbrush, etc).
Well, that's my 2 cents!

You don;t need to tip the concierge for the basics - handing you a map, simple directions, booking a tour etc. If they get you any sort of reservations the tip starts at $5-$10 - depending on how hard they are to get. If they do special services the tip is from $10 to ? depending on the difficulty/complexity.

You don;t tip doormen for opening the door - but you do if they get you a cab or some special service.

Ask the bartender if you can run a tab at the bar (they might ask for your credit card for safekeeping) and then tip 15-20% of your bill. You can write your tip on your card in the spot that's designated for the tip.

Tip 15-20% for taxis (very few taxis will take credit cards although some do).

When paying with a credit card, you can either leave the tip in cash or add it to the credit card charge. There will be a line on the reciept you sign for this. Restaurant servers should be tipped a MINIMUM of 15% of the total bill for good service, and more for excellent service.

Weenie, you and I have the same pet peeve. If I reserve and pay for a room for 4 people, and I arrive to find towels for 2, I won't tip when the desk brings me the towels I asked for in the first place!

"Aussie", give it a break. After reading your post I can tell that you are so not an Aussie. Your terminology gives you away.

My pet peeve is restroom attendants. They need only come around once an hour to clean. I feel it's an invasion of privacy for someone to be standing there waiting for me to come out of the stall. I can get my own paper towel.
I'm not going to tip for that.

Rachelle, in the United States, they normally don't have restroom attendants accepting tips with the exception of places like Atlantic City Casinos. It's not the custom in the U.S. like it is in Europe where you leave some change (equivalent of 25 to 50 cents).

Budman, you are not correct. There are plenty of restroom attendants in US restaurants, clubs and especially in NYC, LA, Miami. I totally am in agreement with you Rachelle about that being my pet peeve as well. It is my pleasure to tip for services,concierges, bartenders, maids, etc. However lately (especially at trendier restaurants) I find the restroom attendants almost annoying.
I have to laugh when I remember one time recently that the restroom was very small to begin with and I almost had to ask the attendant if she wouldn't mind moving as she was blocking my path to the sink.

In answer to jor's post - what are you some sort of nationality police?
Or do you think that all australians should use liberal doses of okker slang like mate in order to validate who they are? On the other hand there is a debate in this country about us losing our cultural identity due to our exposure to too much US and Brit TV ...
(I apologise for my tone if you were in fact joking.)

They have washroom attendants in Vegas and I hear it's customary to tip them 50 cents. With all the free drinks, I may be in the bathroom 15 times a day.
I'm not going to hand out tips all day for something I can do myself. The person is more of an obtrusion than a help.

Aussie, I think you said it all by asking about who 'they' are. I'm very very impressed by your use of Mate.

Glad I'm not the only one who really resents the restroom attendants with hands out! Believe it or not, at the Raleigh State Fair every year, they have such people in the ladies' rooms. I just think it's ridiculous.... I can get that paper towel myself, or I can just drip-dry, but I don't need help in that department!

aussie8, restroom attendants are not the "norm" in the U.S. Yes, if you go to upscale and trendy places, you might find them, but you won't find them in normal public places. If you do, it will be the exception rather than the rule. It's certainly not like Europe.

How much of a tip do they want for wiping?

Just kidding!

Budman, they even have restroom attendants at Planet Hollywood in Myrtle Beach, SC...Certainly would not call Planet Hollywood upscale by any stretch of the imagination. I'm with the rest of you..restroom attendants are irritating, plus I do not want their lotion or cologne.

As least we don't have to pay restroom attendants in the U.S. for toilet paper, like you do at the public restrooms in Mexico (3 sheets per person).

iceeu2, I must lead a sheltered life.

Budman, you make me laugh...I like to start my day that way! Thank you.

There was an article in the 4/12/04 edition of the Wall Street Journal entitled "Flush with Success, Bathroom Attendants Stage a Comeback". Those who subscribe can do a search on the website but the essence of the article is that more and more places are hiring. Apparently the cost is next to nothing, the attendants make out very well and having them adds panache to an establishment. The article advises to "avoid eye contact" if you don't want to tip.