Jessica have you ever been excited to travel somewhere? Linda please excuse Jessica's lack of manners - I knew it was only a matter of time before someone on this site becanme condescending.<BR>PS. Jessica I expect to hear your full report on how to tip in England since you know so much!

Jessica,<BR>Thank-you for you kind words,bad day?<BR>as I already explained we know how to tip in bars and such(we run a restaurant.)<BR>fyo the fodors tipping guide to the UK is well off(10-15% in the Uk but 15-20%in the states?)<BR>as I already also stated I do not want to give TOO LOW a tip,but also would like to remain solvent.<BR>what I would really like would be for someone who has had a greeting to chip in ,but never mind .<BR>think i will go with a $10 or so tip.<BR>as the cost of living is higher in Hawaii ,shouldn't the tip also be?

I ALWAYS tip the hotel maid, usually $3-$5 a day; what a dreadful job that must be! When we take adventure trips in Hawaii I tip at least $5 a head (i.e if it's the whole family, I give the guide $20). Valets I tip $2, Porters approx $2 a bag. Waiters 20%. I also leave a tip on the table after a luau. <BR><BR>I live in Hawaii and do know how hard the service workers toil, usually with a smile; many of them at multiple jobs just to make ends. meet.

I lived in Hawaii for ten years and worked at a hotel hospitality desk for several years. You should not have to tip a lei greeter. That will spoil the whole idea of aloha! They are welcoming you to the islands and payment is not necessary. Tip a few dollars for luggage help. For services by bell men, waiters, etc tip as you are comfortable. Most of them are in union and get way more than minmum wage. I know that cost of living is high in Hawaii and people have to work very hard there. But that can also be said for the tourist. Not all tourist are rich. Some people save years to have their dream trip to Hawaii. We understand that so if people do not tip, we are not offended. I helped many Japanese tourist in Hawaii. They are not used to tipping in their culture but they are usually good about it since it's written in their travel books. One couple who was a regular traveler to our hotel used to bring candies and magazines from their country and it was most appreciated. More than money to some of us. So this is just my opinion.

Linda,<BR><BR>In the States, we tip more people than you might be used to, but don't feel obliged to tip them excessively.<BR><BR>In short, be ready to hand out some dollars to your shuttle bus driver or cab driver (approx $1 per bag) and to your bellman if you require luggage lift service to your hotel room.<BR><BR>Tip the host at restaurants if crowded and yet they find a nice window-view seat for your party (worth $5). Tip your housekeeping $1 per person per night. Tip your concierge should he/she get you into some event that open ticketing would not make available for you. In short, tip someone who goes out of their way to make your life easier. Chances are they are part of a labor force that makes much of its livlihood out of helping tourists, and a small reward for assistance helps them.<BR><BR>Do NOT tip people who drive you places yet do not offer to handle your luggage. Do NOT tip people who work on public transportation.<BR><BR>Have a GREAT time in Hawaii. I am supremely jealous!<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Russ

Linda, we arranged for the same type of independent lei greeting for our first Hawaiian trip last year. Seems like it cost about $40.00 - I pre-arranged and pre-paid it by cc. Our greeter was an older woman, by herself, and we couldn't let her schlep our bags by herself, so mostly she just showed us to the rental car van exit, and we asked her to snap a couple of pictures of us in our leis (and they ALWAYS cut the heads off of us, but that's another story.....). We gave her $5.00 as a tip, which seemed about right considering the cost and the services rendered, and she acted fine with it. Hope this helps.....

I think tipping and the candy is a nice idea. But I think the timing of it is important. Perhaps when you get lei'd (couldn't resist) hand them some nicely wrapped candy - they are welcoming you and you are sharing something from your country. I think then after bags are hauled or whatever, then give a monetary tip.