kazsi

Does one tip the maid, porter, bartender, wait staff, etc. at an all-inclusive? I would assume one would, but do you do it at the end of the trip (like a cruise) or each time you order a drink or food or receive maid service? We're going to the Dominican Republic and have heard people often leave trinkets for the maids as well; what would one leave? Thanks!!!

Johh

Hi Kazsi,

Some AIs absolutely forbid tipping and the employees will not accept tips. It's OK at others is you use discretion. At the AIs we have been to - it has been forbidden and the staff would not accept an offer.

We make a point to bring lots of stuff for the staff that they might like. We bring crayons and coloring books, candy and kids clothes for the maids. For some of the other employees we meet (waiter, waitresses etc.) we bring t-shirts of the sports teams in our city - that is popular. We also get the addresses of some of the employees we really like and send them a few things through the mail.

These folks don't have much and anything is appreciated.

Have a great trip and treat people well - you'll get alot back if you do.

prv

Some resorts prohibit tipping - like Sandals - but for the most part, when we have stayed at AI's we leave the maid tip of $1/day - that way when you need something - like extra towels or something, they are quite happy to help you out! Then at the end of the saty we might leave a little gift or a larger tip.

With the bars, it depends on the service. Some bartenders tend to the "sweet, young things" and wait on the rest when they can. They don't get much attention from us. But when we are welcomed with a smile and cheery greeting, you can be sure that bartender gets a tip every time - they begin to rememebr you that way as well - sometimes will offer to maek you something "special" - that can eb quite the treat.

The important thing to remember is that one US dollar goes a long way for the employees of these resorts. You don't need to be extravagant to have a grateful maid/bartender/waitress on your side!

frank

prv
come on- be honest! You only tip to get better service- it's not for any other reason. You talk about maids giving you extra towels and bartenders making something special. Before you berate me, I have no problem with tipping to get extras- just be honest about your real reason for tipping.
I tip at the END of my vacation. Therefore I do not expect to benefit from any tips. I DO however make a point of finding out if a particularly good member of staff will be working on my last day, so that I can tip beforehand if need be. I have never been to an AI which is strictly non tipping however.

frank

forgot to say- for the maids about a dollar for every day- same for any other really good member of staff.
Have never thought of asking for anyones address however- may be a good idea if I come across a non-tipping resort.

Tippy

Why does everyone ruin it by tipping anyway?????
Do they do it to impress others...try to get the first drink at the bar by waving their dollar bills in the air?
I have been to many all-inclusives and find there are just a few who feel the need to do this and it drives me crazy.
The reason we book all-inclusives is so that we don't have to carry cash on us.
If anything, we leave a gift at the end of our stay, like the previous poster said.
Americans expect to be tipped and it is getting out of control!
Make the people who hire these people pay them higher salaries..don't expect the consumer to to pay your staff's salaries.
I get sick of everyone expecting extra cash, hands out, and if not tipped, pretending that you don't exsist.
All-inclusives are meant as that. Most say 'no tipping' in the brochures, but again, there are those who feel that if they tip, they'll get more, etc.
Proving once again that those who can afford to constantly tip are the folks who will get the drink first, better service, etc.

Max

Tipping is entirely voluntary. If you feel obligated to tip that has other implications.

All service relationships are business transactions at heart. You provide more money for better service, now or for future considerations. They are motivation tools.

The flip side is that most people who work at these places are taken advantage of by the resort for good reason. They can't hike their salaries unless they raise fees which will result in less traffic. So, if you like your service a little foreign money(a USD, BSP, Euro, etc) goes a long way and ensures motivation and the possibility of that person being there if you return.

So, if you tip immediately you expect better service for yourself. If you tip after the fact you're rewarding hard work.

I tip since in my younger days I worked in the service industry and I realise how difficult it is to smile all the time. However, if service is at below par then I don't tip.

A funny fact that I learned is that grinning supresses the gag reflex.

Max.

AllInclusive

Tipping is included at All Inclusives. That's one of the main benefits of going to one, unlike a cruise where you have to cough up all kinds of extra money at the end of the trip.

Please don't try to ruin it for everyone else by setting a precedent and tipping at the all inclusives.

xxx

My thoughts, a buck a day to the housekeeping staff isn't going to break the bank and probably will help the worker out by paying for her bus ride to the resort for the day. What amount are the tippers giving the bar staff? Say $5 per couple. Around here a glass of wine is $7/beer $5/frozen drinks are $7, so add up a couple of rounds and the 15% tip will add up quickly. All in all, I don't mind additional tipping for efficient service. These are 3rd world countries and the workers don't get paid much so a few bucks from us tourists are much appreciated

DR

The Cancks have a fit when others tip because it puts them in a bad light.

We tipped in the DR not so much to get service but to reward when they went above an beyond and because most of these folks don't have a pot to piss in.

canuk

Sorry, but we canuks do tip, we're just not show offs about it...more discreet & humble.

teacher

DR
you selfish, sanctimonious XXXXX! You tip when they go "above and beyond". I can imagine! They can't just do their job- they have to jump through hoops as well.

Nancy

People's decision to tip - whether it's at AI's or anywhere for that matter - is a personal one, and is up to each individual to determine if or how much they want to tip.
Many people do not realize how little the hotel workers make and that they are not included in the trickle-down effect of the AI resort's income touting the NO TIPS credo.
I tip no matter where I go and where I stay because I WANT to, not because I have to or I feel guilty or I want better service.
I've had crappy waitstaff jobs in a beach town when in college, and there's nothing worse than waiting on a bunch of drunks or rude tourists for $2.12 an hour - which is more than most of the people at the resorts in the Caribbean make.
Tip if you want to, don't tip if you don't want to - it's up to you.

fiona

Nancy
you have the perfect answer there!

kazsi

Thanks everyone for your responses! You've given me some good guidelines.

jd

I'm always surprised by people who think nothing of spending $1,000.00 or more for a week at an AI but object to tip the maid and wait staff a dollar a day. In my view if you can't afford an extra $14.00 to $20.00 to spnd on tips don't go.

Kim

We have always tipped the maid, or bought her something nice before we left.

iriemon

We have always tipped the maids, bartenders and porters. Most times we bring small gifts and candy for the staff's children. They seem to really appreciate it.

We don't make a big deal out of it, just something we like to do.

Ken

Do you tip pesos or US dollars?

Nancy

It is better to tip in the local currency as it does not necessitate a trip to the bank for an exchange, but dollars are accepted in almost all tourist destinations and appreciated as well.