Kyoto, Japan: How to reward a concierge?
Apr 7th, 2013, 10:27 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kyoto, Japan: How to reward a concierge?
We don't leave for Japan until next month, but the concierge of our hotel in Kyoto (the Granvia) has already performed marvels for us. She (I think the name "Ayaka" is female--let me know if I'm wrong) has not only made dinner reservations for most nights of our two-week stay, including one extremely hard-to-get reservation, but she's gotten reservations for us to visit the Katsura Imperial Villa (she's sending a taxi to pick up the necessary papers) and tickets for the Kamagawa Odori in Gion. Some guidebooks say that in cases of special service, you should enclose money in a white envelope and slip it quietly to the concierge (but I'm not sure of an appropriate amount). My husband (who lived in Japan for a year or so decades ago) says I should buy a gift and present it beautifully wrapped. Great, but what gift? It needs to be American, but most red, white, and blue things are tacky. The Smithsonian (which is near us) has a nice scarf (Tiffany's View of Oyster Bay) and the Met in New York has a small (12 inch) umbrella with a stained glass butterfly design (also Tiffany-inspired). I think they're attractive, but the umbrella is a bit heavy for travel and not everyone wears scarves. And then there's the issue of wrapping--I can find nice paper, but I can't wrap to Japanese standards and if I could, it probably wouldn't survive a plane trip.
In short, I'd rather do cash, and a fairly decent amount (I was thinking ¥5,000 or so, more than either gift would cost; maybe that's still too low? After all, she'll be doing more for us during our stay.) But what do you think? And if you think I really should give a gift, does anyone have better ideas than mine?
People on this board know far more about Japanese culture than I do, so any advice would be appreciated.
Carolyn
In short, I'd rather do cash, and a fairly decent amount (I was thinking ¥5,000 or so, more than either gift would cost; maybe that's still too low? After all, she'll be doing more for us during our stay.) But what do you think? And if you think I really should give a gift, does anyone have better ideas than mine?
People on this board know far more about Japanese culture than I do, so any advice would be appreciated.
Carolyn
Apr 7th, 2013, 11:27 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please do not give cash. It would create extreme embarrassment for the concierge. The only time I have heard of the cash-in-the-envelope offering is at high-end ryokans, and even that is neither required nor usual.
Tipping is neither expected nor welcome for a hotel concierge, period. Even a gift that has any real value would create an uncomfortable situation, as the concierge might feel impelled to give you a gift in return.
If you can find a token gift, one that has little or no monetary value, that would be ok -- for example, a nice postcard from your home town/area, with your writing a brief note of thanks on the back. And it is absolutely fine if you bring nothing other than your sincere thanks. If you can learn how to bow when offering the thanks (from the waist, 2 or 3 shallow bows), even better.
Tipping is neither expected nor welcome for a hotel concierge, period. Even a gift that has any real value would create an uncomfortable situation, as the concierge might feel impelled to give you a gift in return.
If you can find a token gift, one that has little or no monetary value, that would be ok -- for example, a nice postcard from your home town/area, with your writing a brief note of thanks on the back. And it is absolutely fine if you bring nothing other than your sincere thanks. If you can learn how to bow when offering the thanks (from the waist, 2 or 3 shallow bows), even better.
Apr 7th, 2013, 06:34 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DonTopaz, KimJapan, thank you so much. You have saved me from making a terrible mistake. This is a perfect example of why this board is invaluable--you can't get this kind of help any other way.
Carolyn
Carolyn
Apr 8th, 2013, 04:14 PM
#5
We take small cans of macadamia nuts for just this purpose. We don't wrap them, as that would make it appear to be a gift, and we want it to seem like just something incidental.
Even still, the recipients often will madly dig around their desk to find us a special little map, flower seeds, or something in return. I've learned to give my little thank you item as we walk out the door.
Even still, the recipients often will madly dig around their desk to find us a special little map, flower seeds, or something in return. I've learned to give my little thank you item as we walk out the door.
Apr 8th, 2013, 07:57 PM
#7
I don't believe a small token like this will embarrass them, as they keep similar little gifts for just these circumstances. Besides, my Japanes mother-in -law was the one who suggested this, and Japanese friends and clients have given it the nod.
Apr 9th, 2013, 09:00 AM
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>If you can find a token gift, one that has little or no monetary value, that would be ok </i>
I agree lcuy's gift falls into this category and also see nothing at all wrong with this. Lcuy knows the Japanese culture and country better than most on this forum and she would never knowingly embarrass anyone. We have used many of her knowledgeable tips and recommendations in our Japan travels and find this one to be handy as well.
Aloha!
I agree lcuy's gift falls into this category and also see nothing at all wrong with this. Lcuy knows the Japanese culture and country better than most on this forum and she would never knowingly embarrass anyone. We have used many of her knowledgeable tips and recommendations in our Japan travels and find this one to be handy as well.
Aloha!
Apr 9th, 2013, 09:52 AM
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I might also ask those who know Japanese custom better than I do whether a kind note to the hotel manager complimenting the services of the concierge either before or after your trip would be appropriate. The concierge is an employee of the hotel and at least here in the USA a note in your "file" from a satisfied customer is something well regarded. It is usually easy enough to find the name of the hotel general manager on its website or write a "Dear Manager" note and leave it at the front desk when you are there.
Apr 11th, 2013, 10:40 AM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to give tips, why not? With thank you note. I would do it if I want to. In traditionally, we give tips in white envelop though. It is about your appreciation to others, isn't it?
I grow up in Kyoto as native Japanese and I know what is tradition, common sense, and hospitality in Japan. Telling your appreciation to manager is another way as laurie_ann suggested.
Although 5,000 yen is pretty appropriate too.
I grow up in Kyoto as native Japanese and I know what is tradition, common sense, and hospitality in Japan. Telling your appreciation to manager is another way as laurie_ann suggested.
Although 5,000 yen is pretty appropriate too.
Apr 19th, 2013, 11:42 PM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This one has not been answered yet, hasn' it? Ayaka is, as long as a first name, most likely a girl's name. But if it is a family name ( it is a possibility even though less likely), then no way of telling a boy or a girl.
As to tipping the concierge, I'm somewhere between MicaK and the others. As everybody here knows Japan has no-tipping culture ( with exception stated above ) so tipping or a gift is not expected AT ALL. Perhaps better to avoid cash. There are establishments that has no-tipping policy, aren't there? If your hotel is a such, it might creat a (very small) scene. I picture a typical (embarrasing)Japanese scene, one insists to give and the other insists to ... refuse ...forever. Still if you really wish to show your appreciation (and that's very very nice of you), a simple gift instead of cash is a good compromise. I thought a scarf was a good idea, light and don't look too big ( so kind of discreet when you hand it over in public than an umbrella). On the other hand I would not think about making a very nice wrapping (ribbons and all), that would be in this case against being discreet. A simple envelope kind of gift bag or even in the wrapping of the Smithonian museum when you bought it would be fine, like the pre-wrapped "omiyage" things they do in Japan all the time.
I'm not 100% agaist Cash-Tipping as much as most here. The key is as OP and MicaK already wrote, put it in an envelope (as well) and NOT give it naked as you do in US. Just another take from another Japanese anyway.
As to tipping the concierge, I'm somewhere between MicaK and the others. As everybody here knows Japan has no-tipping culture ( with exception stated above ) so tipping or a gift is not expected AT ALL. Perhaps better to avoid cash. There are establishments that has no-tipping policy, aren't there? If your hotel is a such, it might creat a (very small) scene. I picture a typical (embarrasing)Japanese scene, one insists to give and the other insists to ... refuse ...forever. Still if you really wish to show your appreciation (and that's very very nice of you), a simple gift instead of cash is a good compromise. I thought a scarf was a good idea, light and don't look too big ( so kind of discreet when you hand it over in public than an umbrella). On the other hand I would not think about making a very nice wrapping (ribbons and all), that would be in this case against being discreet. A simple envelope kind of gift bag or even in the wrapping of the Smithonian museum when you bought it would be fine, like the pre-wrapped "omiyage" things they do in Japan all the time.
I'm not 100% agaist Cash-Tipping as much as most here. The key is as OP and MicaK already wrote, put it in an envelope (as well) and NOT give it naked as you do in US. Just another take from another Japanese anyway.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 08:12 PM
#18
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the staff have been very good I buy them chocolates from the food court of Mitsukoshi. I once read an article by a concierge in Japan that it is a myth they will be offended if given cash! I think he said it should be given discreetly and it will be accepted and appreciated.
