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Mastering Coat Check Etiquette: Everything You Need To Know
A coat check (sometimes referred to as a 'cloak room') is a secure place, often found in sit-down restaurants, live theatres, and concert halls, where people can leave their coats and valuables. Some venues have mandatory coat checks while others do not.
Many high-end restaurants and live theatres benefit from coat checks to help them maintain a professional, refined look. Jackets and bags hanging off the back of chairs not only look bulky but can be a safety hazard should a server or other patron trip over one.
Etiquette surrounding coat checks is not as well-known as, say, dining etiquette, but it is important to know what to do and what not to do to ensure your experience is as stress-free as possible. Here are some of our etiquette tips you should know next time you find yourself at a coat check:
Do Not Shove Accessories Down Your Sleeves
Items like scarves, gloves, and hats should be placed securely in your coat pockets or given to the clerk so they can store them properly. If the items cannot be hung on the same hanger as your coat, they will be stored separately (usually at no extra cost) and you will be given an extra ticket.
Many coat check rooms have storage areas for accessories to prevent them from getting lost or misplaced. The people working the coat check room are not responsible for lost or missing items. Be sure to note what accessories you left with them and be sure to check for them when you retrieve your coat.
If you are missing a glove or scarf, simply inform the clerk and give them as much detail about the missing item as possible including the material, size, and any unique features like patterns or fabrics.
Be sure to leave your number with them so they can contact you if they find it. If you do not hear from them within a day or two, you can call them to follow up.
Check Your Pockets
Before giving your coat to the clerk, be sure to check all of your pockets for your phone, keys, wallet, money, and other valuables you may need. If you are attending an event that requires a physical ticket to enter, be sure to have that on you as well (some theatres check tickets twice: once at the main door and again as you are directed or escorted to your seat).
Items you may not need, like transit tickets or receipts, can be left in your coat.
Respect The '1 Coat Per Hanger' Rule
Big, bulky, heavy coats can break hangers. This is why some venues enforce a strict one coat per hanger rule. If you are at a venue that implements this, do not try to argue with the clerk behind the counter. This rule is typically put in place by the owner, not the person running the coat check.
Depending on the venue and situation, there may be some leniency to this rule. For example, if you and your partner are wearing light-weight coats, the clerk may put them on the same hanger to save space. Be sure to acknowledge this act of kindness with a nice tip. They will appreciate it.
Keep Your Coat Check Ticket In A Safe Place
Once you have given your coat and other items to the clerk, they will give you a ticket (or tag) with a number on it. The number corresponds to the hanger, locker, or storage bin where your items are kept.
Be sure to keep this ticket or tag in a safe place like your front pocket or wallet for easy retrieval. We highly recommend taking a picture of the ticket as a precautionary measure just in case you lose it.
If you cannot find your coat check ticket and forgot to take a picture of it, give the coat check clerk as much detail about your items as possible. Details like the material it is made of, colours and patterns, and anything that may be in your pockets, will help them correctly identify your items.
Wait Your Turn
Whether you are dropping your coat off, picking it up, or just checking your pockets, you should always wait your turn. Cutting in line, budging, or yelling at the coat check clerk (especially during a rush) will not help the line move any faster.
Instead, wait patiently behind whoever is being helped, or get in line if multiple people are waiting. If you are dropping items off, you should prepare all the items you plan on leaving with the coat check clerk while you are waiting in line. This will make their job much easier and help the line move quicker.
Some coat check rooms have dedicated 'drop off' and 'pick up' areas to help reduce long lines and ensure people are helped more efficiently. If the line you are waiting in is longer than the other, do not move to the other line thinking it will be faster. The clerk will re-direct you back to the line you were just in and you may lose your place in line.
Tip Accordingly
As a general rule of thumb it is customary to tip $1-$2 per coat and $2-$3 for extra items and bags. Be sure to increase your tip if you had to retrieve your coat multiple times, had excellent service, or if the clerk waved the one coat per hanger rule for you.
If you do not have exact change to tip them, you can ask them to break up a larger bill for you. Some coat check rooms may even have POS machines, so you can use your debit or credit card to give them a tip.
If you do not have any money for a tip avoid saying things like "If I had money I'd tip you" or "I didn't know you guys got tips!" Simply apologize and give them a larger tip next time you are at the same venue.
Tipping Tip: Always carry a few extra dollars with you when going out. You never know who you may need to tip.
Do Not Leave Any Food Or Drink On The Counter
Glasses, full or empty, can easily be knocked over. Broken glass can be dangerous especially to those wearing thin-soled or open-toed footwear, and sticky stains all over someone's expensive jacket can ruin their evening. If you place a glass down on the counter, be sure to pick it up when you leave. It is not the coat check clerk's job to also clean up after patrons.
Be sure to dispose of single-serve items in designated trash and recycling receptacles, and return multi-use items like glasses and dishware to the bar or concession area from which you got them.
Thank Them For Their Service
The power of a sincere 'please' and 'thank you' goes a long way, especially in the service industry. The people working behind the counter have to deal with hundreds of people over the course of their shift. They will appreciate a compliment far more than rude behaviour. Don't be a thorn in their side. Help brighten their day with a kind word.
Summary
Mastering coat check etiquette is essential not only for your peace of mind but also for the people behind the counter serving customers. Being polite and prepared will help keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Keep these tips in mind next time you have to drop your items off at a coat check; you will be glad you did!
For more helpful etiquette tips consider reading the following articles:
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