All kidding aside, tips provide the grease that makes this city run. So many occupations (waiters, bartenders, taxi drivers, etc.) and services (hairdressers, manicurists, etc.) depend on tips, and many of you will work at least once during your life in a job where you rely on getting tipped. Frequently, tipped workers are working for a lower wage than the usual minimum wage, precisely because the IRS knows that they receive tips so their employers are allowed to pay them less than other workers. Please learn how to tip, if you don't know all ready. Here is a tipping guideline for various occupations and services (FYI: your cellphone may have a tipping calculator app).

TAXIS - 15% minimum plus $1 to $2 per bag. 20% for an exceptional fast and SAFE ride.

WAITERS - In NYC double the tax is easy to remember. Otherwise 15% of total BEFORE tax, 20% for great service. No less than 10% for bad service.

BARTENDERS - 50 cents for soda, $1 per drink or 15% of total bill.

DOORMEN - This is tough. At the holidays it's time to see who was there for you at the door, keeping packages, hailing taxis. The best should get between $50 to $100. The others that are nice but you don't see them much: $10 or $20 is appropriate.

HAIRDRESSERS - 15%; $2 to shampooer

BARBER - 15%

MANICURIST - 15%

MOVERS - I generally tip $20 per person, up to three. But they have to be friendly, on time, and do their job (were the boxes removed?). Also depends on number of stairs, weather etc.

FOOD DELIVERY MEN - 10% of bill. A few bucks more for difficult delivery (rain, snow).

COAT ROOM ATTENDANT - $1 per coat.