Tipping Customs for Restaurants in Canada

1. Standard Tipping Rate: In Canada, it is customary to leave a gratuity or tip for service staff at restaurants. The generally accepted standard for tipping is 15-20% of the total bill before taxes. This percentage can vary depending on the quality of service received.

Example: If your bill (excluding taxes) amounts to $100, you can leave a tip between $15 to $20 as per the standard tipping rate.

2. Tipping on the Pre-Tax Amount: Unlike some other countries, such as the United States, it is common in Canada to calculate the tip based on the pre-tax amount rather than the total bill. This is because the tax is seen as an unrelated charge to the service provided.

Example: If the total bill is $100, and the tax is $13, you would calculate the tip based on the $100 (pre-tax) amount rather than the $113 (total bill).

3. Tipping for Takeout: While tipping for takeout orders is not mandatory, it is appreciated when the staff has provided a service, such as packaging the food, providing condiments, or answering questions. You can leave a tip of around 10% for takeout orders, or more if you feel the service was exceptional.

Example: If you ordered takeout for $50 and the staff has gone the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction, you may choose to leave a tip of $5 or more.

4. Group Tipping: When dining out with a larger group, some restaurants may automatically add a gratuity to the bill, especially if there are more than six people. This is typically mentioned on the menu or noted by the server. In such cases, it is not necessary to leave an additional tip unless you want to reward exemplary service.

Example: If you are dining with a group of eight people and the restaurant has added an 18% gratuity to the bill, it is not required to leave any additional tip unless you want to appreciate the service beyond the automatic gratuity.

5. Payment and Distribution: In Canada, tipping is usually done with cash. However, some restaurants offer the option to add the tip amount to the credit or debit card payment. It is customary to give the tip directly to the server by leaving it on the table or handing it to them discreetly. Tips are generally not shared among the entire staff but are for the server who directly served you.

Example: If you decide to leave a 20% tip in cash, you can hand the server $20 directly as appreciation for their service.