Gratuities

Gratuities refer to voluntary payments or gifts, often of money, given in addition to the basic cost of a service. They are commonly offered to service staff, such as waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel porters, as a sign of appreciation for good service. The amount of a gratuity typically reflects the quality of the service received. They represent an important component of income for many service industry workers and help ensure a fair wage when tips are not mandated by law. The practice can extend beyond monetary offerings to include gifts or favors.

Gratuities meaning with examples

• After a delightful meal, we left a generous gratuity for the server, whose attentive service made the evening special. It felt like a small token for their hard work and made us happy to tip generously as we enjoyed our experience.
• Tipping is customary in many countries. Knowing the appropriate gratuity percentage can be very useful to avoid any confusion or perceived slight toward the service staff. We were happy with their prompt service and paid accordingly.
• When traveling abroad, researching the local customs regarding gratuities is wise to avoid any offense or misunderstanding. Understanding what is expected shows respect for their service industry staff and is the right thing to do.
• The cruise ship included gratuities in the total price, eliminating the need to tip individually. This simplification made budgeting easier and created an all-inclusive feel, so we enjoyed our trip immensely.
• Many restaurant servers depend on gratuities to supplement their base salary, which may be quite low. This is just one reason gratuities are a welcome source of extra revenue.