Hi,

This isn't travel related. (I know, 50 lashes of a wet noodle for Darvy.) But it's more TIP related. And since gratuities are such a frequent topic on this board, I thought I'd give it a try.

So, let's say you drop your laundry off at your local "drop off laundry service." Do you tip them when you pick the laundry up?

Obviuosly you don't tip your dry cleaner. But those poor people who do drop off laundry - they've gotta have it rough.

So, do you tip or not? The rate for my service is $1 a pound.

You New Yorkers might be able to answer this best, since it might be more common to drop off your laundry in that city.

-Darvy, the travel gal

$1/lb. is very expensive. Think about what just one pair of jeans costs, and then think about how many pounds of clothes actually fit in a washing machine and dryer (12-16 pounds). Now, the components that make up that $1/lb. price are detergent/bleach/softener, water, labor, equipment, electricity, etc. - but the $1/lb. doesn't even include ironing. Think about it this way, it costs about $3-$4 (including detergent, softner, etc.) to use a washing machine/dryer at a laundry if you do it yourself. So, $12/$16 vs. $3/$4.

Don't tip - the mark up is high enough for the business to pay the employee a decent wage.

From a New Yorker: If you pick it up, you don't tip. No way. Do you tip the McDonald's employee when you buy a cheeseburger? Same thing.

My House Attendant is more effecient than your laundress.The HA works a 7 1/2 day,with 2 18 minit breaks and a 1 hr lunch.Union rules forbid him to spend more than 20% of his work week on "laundry".Thus,the allocation of his weekly salary ($750.00) allotted to laundry is $150.00.I have 3 roommates and we each have 6 loads of laundry.At 15lbs each load, 24 loads nets a total of 360 pounds per week.Our supply costs are $26.00 per week.Therefore, each pound of laundry is $.49.You are paying too much Darvy.

Yes I tip but not a lot. I round up. If my laundry bill is $18, I'll give them $20 and tell them to keep the change.

The small amount I tip doesn't break me and I hope ensures a little more consideration from them.

Um, those that "did the math for me" don't know what you're talking about. You have NO IDEA WHERE I LIVE. Right now, that rate is the lowest in town. Plus, who said that I care about the rate I'm getting? If it was $2 a pound I'd do it. I'm not so strapped on a budget that the $1 / lb rate is going to kill me. Although I feel sorry for those who that would kill. That's just not the situation I'm in. My husband and I make a good living, so it's the convenience of it all that makes it all worth it. Even for $3 / lb.

It was an etiquette question. Some people answered appropriately. Others didn't. Which I expect on this board, actually.

Have a lovely day.