Tipping in NYC and other New York City, NY Local Custom Tips

Don't fret too much on tipping. Use common sense - higher tips for good service, lower or no tip for poorer service.
Here's what this native does:

Taxi
Good idea to be able to give exact fare. Keep a bunch of $1 and $5 available.
Cabbies generally make good $, but they work hard and usually a tip is called for.
Regular service - round up tab to next $ then minimum $1.00 or add 10%.
Exceptional - guy is courteous, drives politely helps with bags (other than popping open the trunk) etc around 20% - heck the guy deserves it!
Crummy - I'll round up to the nearest $ and pay - I'm not waiting around for change!

Restaurant
Beware - some restaurants tack on 15% (or more) automatically, especially for groups of more than 4, so check you bill and signs in the rest.
Regular service - 15% before tax tab or double the tax (around 17%).
Exceptional - I'll take 10% of final bill (move the decimal point one left) and double that amount - so 20%+
Crummy - Depends how bad - sometimes 10% pre-tax, sometimes I wouldn't leave anything.

No one has ever come running after me, but if they did I would call 911 and would feel especially vindicated about the tip (or lack of). Crying about a tip is not proper behavior for anyone. No matter what anyone here says, no matter where you are, a tip is never mandatory. But do tip for service and food presentation, not flavor - if the flavor is not to your liking that is an issue between you and the restaurant not you and the server.

Hotels
I never rented a hotel in NYC, but $2 to $5 / day should be sufficient. Again if poor service, no tip.

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If you can't keep up (or don't want to), don't fret - just use common sense and common courtesy, go at your own pace and try not to block people. Many people are going to work or getting work done - reason for the rush - and every little slowdown affects their efforts, so be courteous - be aware and let people through when possible.

As a native NYer, besides the minor annoyance, I don't have problem with people going slow or stopping (but if you need to stop, slow a bit first so people behind you don't crash into you or go flying!). In fact I wouldn't call myself "native NYer" if I wasn't able to maneuver around slow and stalled people. Still, try not to be a roadblock, otherwise while natives wouldn't have trouble, the tourists will be tripping flying over you (and cursing in all sorts of exotic languages!). Problem comes with groups of people who stop, mull about or otherwise block a much of the block and don't leave room for anyone!

If you forget and someone does get upset, be cool and don't take it personal - they are actually mad at the 100s of other slowdowns they've encountered (or else got a bad hotel room with a lumpy bed).

Tip- lets say you're on a real busy street and for some reason you must stop for any reason to look at architecture, take pictures, tie shoelace etc, just move over to the nearest sidewalk obstruction - mailbox, hydrant, street sign and do your stuff there. That way you do not become the obstruction (even if you're a bit, eh, wider than the street sign) - easier for you and everyone around you. Just not at an intersection :-)

As to keep right advice - sure, keep that in mind (especially in subways!) but generally there are haphazard steams of people and get into the stream moving at your speed!

Least anyone think all of New York is crazy busy like this, the answer is no. But popular spots like 5th Ave and midtown (especially 42nd St!) do get this way.

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