tipping advice..
Jan 16th, 2003, 05:05 AM
#2
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Hi Christa,
As a general rule, we (me and husband)tip $1 per bag to the porters at the airport and the bell persons at the hotels.
We tip taxis 10% to 15%.
15% to 20% for waitstaff in restaurants depending on the service;
for bartenders, $1 to $3 per round of drinks;
housekeeping staff $2 to $3 per day for the person cleaning our room for a week or longer stay and $5 per day for shorter trips.
How much and whether or not to tip is a personal choice.
As a general rule, we (me and husband)tip $1 per bag to the porters at the airport and the bell persons at the hotels.
We tip taxis 10% to 15%.
15% to 20% for waitstaff in restaurants depending on the service;
for bartenders, $1 to $3 per round of drinks;
housekeeping staff $2 to $3 per day for the person cleaning our room for a week or longer stay and $5 per day for shorter trips.
How much and whether or not to tip is a personal choice.
Jan 16th, 2003, 08:12 AM
#3
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Tipping is a custom that some people choose not to honor. You tip for a personal service. In addition to what Nancy mentioned, that would include tipping for a massage or a haircut.
Taxi 10%, more if the driver is friendly and helpful
Skycap at the airport $2 for my one bag, and maybe $5 for two, depending on the bills in my pocket, though $1 is fine.
At the hotel I carry my bag, because I'm travelling light (not cheap), else $1 per bag.
At the bar, 15-20%. If you're in a busy place, reaching over people to get your drinks, you can ensure good service with a 30% bribe up front. You don't tip the bartender/owner of a pub.
At the restaurant, the standard is 15%. For a good professional waiter 20%.
There is never any reason to tip less than 15%, though some people do that in order to punish the waiter for poor, slow, or inattentive service. Speak to the manager if things are not going well and you should get apologies, better service, and maybe a free dessert.
Housekeeping $2 per day, paid at the end of your stay, though some people choose to (bribe) pay on a daily basis (I would pay daily in Waikiki, to ensure good service, since the h'keeper will probably expect you to leave nothing).
In a place like Waikiki, they often get tourists who don't know or choose to not follow the custom. Some foreigners really resent it. So, look for "Service & Gratuity" charges added on to your bills.
When you check in to the hotel if you see a charge like that, speak to the Manager On Duty about it, expecting it to be waived. Demanding a tip up front is the other side of not following the custom. If it wasn't revealed to you when you checked in and you see it added when you check out, then calmly, but firmly, demand that it be removed.
At the restaurant, you may see on the menu "A 10% service and gratuity charge will be added to your bill". If you don't see it there, then be sure to check the bill when you get it. It might not be labelled as such, but you would know it when you see it. Same thing at a bar/nightclub if you are not paying as you go. In this case, you should not leave any additional tip.
Taxi 10%, more if the driver is friendly and helpful
Skycap at the airport $2 for my one bag, and maybe $5 for two, depending on the bills in my pocket, though $1 is fine.
At the hotel I carry my bag, because I'm travelling light (not cheap), else $1 per bag.
At the bar, 15-20%. If you're in a busy place, reaching over people to get your drinks, you can ensure good service with a 30% bribe up front. You don't tip the bartender/owner of a pub.
At the restaurant, the standard is 15%. For a good professional waiter 20%.
There is never any reason to tip less than 15%, though some people do that in order to punish the waiter for poor, slow, or inattentive service. Speak to the manager if things are not going well and you should get apologies, better service, and maybe a free dessert.
Housekeeping $2 per day, paid at the end of your stay, though some people choose to (bribe) pay on a daily basis (I would pay daily in Waikiki, to ensure good service, since the h'keeper will probably expect you to leave nothing).
In a place like Waikiki, they often get tourists who don't know or choose to not follow the custom. Some foreigners really resent it. So, look for "Service & Gratuity" charges added on to your bills.
When you check in to the hotel if you see a charge like that, speak to the Manager On Duty about it, expecting it to be waived. Demanding a tip up front is the other side of not following the custom. If it wasn't revealed to you when you checked in and you see it added when you check out, then calmly, but firmly, demand that it be removed.
At the restaurant, you may see on the menu "A 10% service and gratuity charge will be added to your bill". If you don't see it there, then be sure to check the bill when you get it. It might not be labelled as such, but you would know it when you see it. Same thing at a bar/nightclub if you are not paying as you go. In this case, you should not leave any additional tip.
Jan 18th, 2003, 07:27 PM
#6
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No, if they don't do their job you don't tip. For example if you order your food in a restuarant and waiter goes home and doesn't bring it -- no tip. If you give the valet parker your number and he never brings you your car, don't tip. If you get in a taxi and the driver doesn't drive it anywhere don't tip. If you order a drink at the bar and the bartender never makes it, don't tip.
What do you mean, if he doesn't do his job? You tip him for doing it at all. You tip him more if he does it with a smile and extra service.
What do you mean, if he doesn't do his job? You tip him for doing it at all. You tip him more if he does it with a smile and extra service.
Sep 26th, 2003, 02:54 PM
#8
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These tips suggestions should be upped if you are staying at a luxury hotel (like the Four Seasons). $20 for person who shows you to your room and brings your bags. $10 for bringing bags down at end of stay to car. $5/day for morning maid; $5 for turn down service nightly. $3 for valet each time. $3-$5 for towel set up by towel attendant at pool. $5-$10 to golf attendant who washes your clubs. 20% of total bill otherwise. This is standard, and it pains me to see cheap people skimp the tips-- if you are paying $500/night for a hotel room, you can certainly afford to tip appropriately.
Sep 26th, 2003, 05:20 PM
#9
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Kirkihack,I've worked at a four star resort for years,and let tell you if everyone tipped like you the staff would be in heaven.Honestly the vast majority of guests tip about half of what you do.
Cheers from the Carmel Highlands..
Cheers from the Carmel Highlands..
Sep 26th, 2003, 10:52 PM
#10
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No doubt someone paying $500/night can afford to tip like that. It sounds like these sorts of hotel jobs could be amazingly profitable, though. I would expect someone can show 4 parties per hour up to their rooms. So that person would earn tips of $80/hour. If for some reason, they only earned $40, or even $20, they are still making these tips on top of a standard wage. And if they are making less on tips, they must be spending a lot of time idle. If these people can get paid that, all the more power to them, but this is not a highly-skilled job.
What are the typical truthful earnings for a person in such a position?
What are the typical truthful earnings for a person in such a position?
Sep 27th, 2003, 06:55 AM
#12
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I always thought that in a moderately priced hotel/motel the tip for the maid/housekeeper was $1 per day per person. That is what I leave and if they were especially nice and gave me extra items I requested, I'd give them an addional tip on top of the regular tip for their special service.
Personally, I don't feel I should have to "bribe" people for service. I understand some people don't tip (either they don't know the customs, or are just cheap) but if the person is nice and does their job without an attitude, they should receive a tip. Their salary isn't much, so they live on tips. If they want to make more money, they will go out of their way to be nice and hope for the best.
As far as not doing their job and not getting a tip, I feel that is a message they will understand. If I go to a restaurant or bar and don't get waited on or served in a proper manner, the tip is lower (closer to 10%) and if it is very good service, I round the tip out higher (sometimes as much as 25%).
And it also goes the other way with me. If I'm in a bad mood and give the people serving me a hard time and they still take care of me, I give them an extra tip, just for putting up with me. Also, if I have to send something back to the kitchen because of poor preparation or problems with the meal, I NEVER take it out on the wait staff (unless they give me a hard time about sending something back.) Why should the waiter/waitress pay for a mistake the kitchen made? I've always thought you should be able to leave a tip for the wait staff and another tip for the kitchen staff. If the kitchen had to live off tips, some of them would be broke! LOL!!!
Personally, I don't feel I should have to "bribe" people for service. I understand some people don't tip (either they don't know the customs, or are just cheap) but if the person is nice and does their job without an attitude, they should receive a tip. Their salary isn't much, so they live on tips. If they want to make more money, they will go out of their way to be nice and hope for the best.
As far as not doing their job and not getting a tip, I feel that is a message they will understand. If I go to a restaurant or bar and don't get waited on or served in a proper manner, the tip is lower (closer to 10%) and if it is very good service, I round the tip out higher (sometimes as much as 25%).
And it also goes the other way with me. If I'm in a bad mood and give the people serving me a hard time and they still take care of me, I give them an extra tip, just for putting up with me. Also, if I have to send something back to the kitchen because of poor preparation or problems with the meal, I NEVER take it out on the wait staff (unless they give me a hard time about sending something back.) Why should the waiter/waitress pay for a mistake the kitchen made? I've always thought you should be able to leave a tip for the wait staff and another tip for the kitchen staff. If the kitchen had to live off tips, some of them would be broke! LOL!!!
Sep 27th, 2003, 10:46 AM
#13
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I always leave the maid $5 a day. I tip the shuttle bus driver who lugs my stuff, usually $2 a bag. I am a 20% tipper at bars and restaurants. I know a lot of service workers in Hawaii and know they depend upon their tips for their basic needs as the pay is atrocious.
Sep 29th, 2003, 07:41 PM
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re: tipping-- see my post above-- in regards to the person who worked at the 4 star resort and thinks I am overtipping-- do others agree or is this standard?
What about the concierge? My husband thinks you should tip ($5) if they give simple directions, on this one, I disagree with him-- only tip if they make a reservation, etc.
What about the concierge? My husband thinks you should tip ($5) if they give simple directions, on this one, I disagree with him-- only tip if they make a reservation, etc.
Sep 29th, 2003, 08:36 PM
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Yes, from someone who has worked in the hospitality industry, you are overtipping. After going to California and staying at several different types of accomodations (one of which was nearly $600 a night) I am sick and tired of tipping. If you allow someone to assist you with bags, $1.00 a bag is plenty unless you want to tip more than that. 15-20% is standard for food service but you better believe that if I get crappy service the server will get far less than that. If I get good service I somtimes tip more than 20% because frankly that doesn't happen as often as I wish it would. Room service almost always charges a 18% service fee plus a ridiculous delivery fee and then they gratiously leave an additional tip line on the bill. I especially had a difficult time tipping more than a $1.00 for $30 a day valet, especially when you call ahead and your car is still not ready. I tip about $1.00 a drink at a bar which is about standard. Frankly I think it is ridiculous at how much we tip people for doing their job. People are supposed to earn a tip, they aren't entitled to one and this has become far too expected by many people which is why we have such crappy service so often. Tip whatever you feel comfortable and don't let others make you think your a stiff.
Sep 30th, 2003, 12:13 AM
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From "lenleigh" :
I especially had a difficult time tipping more than a $1.00 for $30 a day valet....
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Just for future reference,the $30.00 you see on your hotel bill for valet parking....well in most cases, the valets get maybe $1.00 of it, and in other cases less. So let's say you have 5 valets working a resort...you tip the guy $1.00. The hotel throws in another $1.00 (maybe). Now that $2.00 has to be split between the 5 valets. Comes out to be about .40 per valet. Not all valets pool their tips...just depends on the hotel. If in doubt about tipping you can always ask the person providing the service. In most cases, they'll give you an honest answer and tell you how it works at their particular hotel/resort.
I especially had a difficult time tipping more than a $1.00 for $30 a day valet....
----------------------------------------
Just for future reference,the $30.00 you see on your hotel bill for valet parking....well in most cases, the valets get maybe $1.00 of it, and in other cases less. So let's say you have 5 valets working a resort...you tip the guy $1.00. The hotel throws in another $1.00 (maybe). Now that $2.00 has to be split between the 5 valets. Comes out to be about .40 per valet. Not all valets pool their tips...just depends on the hotel. If in doubt about tipping you can always ask the person providing the service. In most cases, they'll give you an honest answer and tell you how it works at their particular hotel/resort.
Sep 30th, 2003, 02:36 PM
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kikihack,
I would say that $20 for showing you to your room/delivering luggage and $10 a day ($5 x 2) for housekeeping is above normal (unless you have lots of luggage or are extremely messy or some other reason). I agree with your amounts on valet, pool attendant, etc. I also do not tip the concierge for something like simple directions, but do tip for other services like reservations.
I would say that $20 for showing you to your room/delivering luggage and $10 a day ($5 x 2) for housekeeping is above normal (unless you have lots of luggage or are extremely messy or some other reason). I agree with your amounts on valet, pool attendant, etc. I also do not tip the concierge for something like simple directions, but do tip for other services like reservations.
