Help - Tipping Advice Please
Jan 13th, 2010, 09:55 AM
#41
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janisf,
when you start calling others who don't tip the maids,
'cheapskates, pitiful and clods' who the hell are you?
I am glad Doug Stallings, the Editor is on this thread so he can see how mean spirited you really are.
It's not the standard and if you want to tip the maid great, but please don't put us down with your pedestrian
verbiage.
Go to the Lounge if you want to throw insults around!
when you start calling others who don't tip the maids,
'cheapskates, pitiful and clods' who the hell are you?
I am glad Doug Stallings, the Editor is on this thread so he can see how mean spirited you really are.
It's not the standard and if you want to tip the maid great, but please don't put us down with your pedestrian
verbiage.
Go to the Lounge if you want to throw insults around!
Jan 13th, 2010, 10:05 AM
#42
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>>
Strip the beds? Are you kidding? What the heck is housekeeping for if I have to strip the beds in my hotel room?
>>
Completely agree with ksucat, janisj, why the name-calling? You can disagree without the venom.
Strip the beds? Are you kidding? What the heck is housekeeping for if I have to strip the beds in my hotel room?
>>
Completely agree with ksucat, janisj, why the name-calling? You can disagree without the venom.
Jan 13th, 2010, 10:26 AM
#43
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I'm always surprised at how emotional people get over the topic of tipping. I just try to keep in mind that when I'm traveling the people taking care of me in hotels, restaurants, etc. are likely to be making a lot less than I am. I find tipping to be a lot less unpalatable when I keep that in mind. The rest is just a series of judgment calls. Americans are widely considered to be the best tippers in the world, so regardless of how we tip, it's probably better than what others are giving.
Jan 13th, 2010, 12:49 PM
#46
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I don't think it does belong in the lounge. A visitor from outside asked a simple question and they go a complicated varied answer.
To my knowledge- Tip 15% in a service restaurant, tip a couple of dollars of dollars per bag for anyone who might handle your luggage, tip 2-5% on any excursion type activities $400 dog sled trip you might or might not tip the person who flies you or sleds you $25-$100. (The trips on the Grand Canyon rafting cost around $1500 per person and they suggest tipping 2%). I do tip maid service every single day anywhere from $2 to $5. If you are on a cruise ship that is an entire other issue as there are many people to tip. If you do receive rude or bad service-don't tip. I think if you follow these guidelines you would be considered average and normal.
To my knowledge- Tip 15% in a service restaurant, tip a couple of dollars of dollars per bag for anyone who might handle your luggage, tip 2-5% on any excursion type activities $400 dog sled trip you might or might not tip the person who flies you or sleds you $25-$100. (The trips on the Grand Canyon rafting cost around $1500 per person and they suggest tipping 2%). I do tip maid service every single day anywhere from $2 to $5. If you are on a cruise ship that is an entire other issue as there are many people to tip. If you do receive rude or bad service-don't tip. I think if you follow these guidelines you would be considered average and normal.
Jan 14th, 2010, 08:49 AM
#47
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Dear Kiwi & Ozie
Your heads are probably spinning by now and you probably wish you hadn't asked the question. That's because tipping in the US can vary depending on region, muncipality size, and local cost of living.
In large cities on the east & west coasts (NYC, LA, Frisco) tips are largest. In smaller towns in the south, midwest, and west, tips are the lowest. In large cities in the midwest, west and south, tips are in the middle.
It's really a personal thing and ranges are a better guide than set amounts. Since I come from Chicago, (large city in midwest) I think our tipping habits are in the middle. Here's my standard:
LUGGAGE PORTERS: $1/$2 per bag, depending on distance carried. (example: Doorman takes 5 bags from car and Bellman brings them to your room: Doorman $5/Bellman $5 and additional $5 if he gets ice, shows you heat/AC, phone, etc works)
RESTAURANT: Breakfast/Lunch: good service 10%/great service 15%; Dinner: good service 15%/great service 20%. Zero/Zed/Nada: poor service.
Taxi: 10% good service; 15% great service; 5% extra for friendly/helpful conversation
Maids: $1 to $5 per night depending on room size, cleanliness of room, daily linen changes, daily towel replacement. Because of personnel changes, I leave an envelope with the front desk addressed to Houskeeping Chief with specific allotments by day upon check out. For a normal room, I may leave zero with a comment about bad service and $2 for good service & $3 for great service. (Many hotels do not change linens during stay, so I cut max by $1/day)
Bars: If you run a tab: 10% -20%, depending of friendliness of bar tender. If you pay by the round: front load the first round with an eye towards $1/$2 per round per person; again depending on friendliness of bar tender. (Example: I'm meeting my wife and arrive before her. I order a beer (20 oz Foster's: $6. I pay with $10 and tell him to keep the change. When my wife arrives I order another Foster's and a glass of wine $8 for a total of $14. I give him $20 and keep the change. From that point on I give him $1 per drink)
I know this info may only be more overload. But when in doubt figure this way: bad sevice 0%, average service 10%, good service 15%, great service 20%. Service includes, speed, accuracy and friendliness.
Your heads are probably spinning by now and you probably wish you hadn't asked the question. That's because tipping in the US can vary depending on region, muncipality size, and local cost of living.
In large cities on the east & west coasts (NYC, LA, Frisco) tips are largest. In smaller towns in the south, midwest, and west, tips are the lowest. In large cities in the midwest, west and south, tips are in the middle.
It's really a personal thing and ranges are a better guide than set amounts. Since I come from Chicago, (large city in midwest) I think our tipping habits are in the middle. Here's my standard:
LUGGAGE PORTERS: $1/$2 per bag, depending on distance carried. (example: Doorman takes 5 bags from car and Bellman brings them to your room: Doorman $5/Bellman $5 and additional $5 if he gets ice, shows you heat/AC, phone, etc works)
RESTAURANT: Breakfast/Lunch: good service 10%/great service 15%; Dinner: good service 15%/great service 20%. Zero/Zed/Nada: poor service.
Taxi: 10% good service; 15% great service; 5% extra for friendly/helpful conversation
Maids: $1 to $5 per night depending on room size, cleanliness of room, daily linen changes, daily towel replacement. Because of personnel changes, I leave an envelope with the front desk addressed to Houskeeping Chief with specific allotments by day upon check out. For a normal room, I may leave zero with a comment about bad service and $2 for good service & $3 for great service. (Many hotels do not change linens during stay, so I cut max by $1/day)
Bars: If you run a tab: 10% -20%, depending of friendliness of bar tender. If you pay by the round: front load the first round with an eye towards $1/$2 per round per person; again depending on friendliness of bar tender. (Example: I'm meeting my wife and arrive before her. I order a beer (20 oz Foster's: $6. I pay with $10 and tell him to keep the change. When my wife arrives I order another Foster's and a glass of wine $8 for a total of $14. I give him $20 and keep the change. From that point on I give him $1 per drink)
I know this info may only be more overload. But when in doubt figure this way: bad sevice 0%, average service 10%, good service 15%, great service 20%. Service includes, speed, accuracy and friendliness.
Jan 14th, 2010, 09:01 AM
#48
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I'm American and I don't agree with a lot of thse opinions, such ast he idea that for no good reason whatsoever, people are supposed to be tipping 20 pct in restaurants now instead of 15 pct. I don't know who made up that little rule (probably spread by the restaurant industry) but I don't routinely tip 20 pct in restaurants and no one else I ever dine with does either. I don't think we are all freaks. So take that one with a grain of salt. I only do if the service is really good and the meal cost is low. I wouldn't ever tip 20 pct on an expensive meal, for example.
Also, the fact is that anyone who is tipped in Hawaii is already required to earn a min. of $7 an hour (not the $2.50 someone above claimed). It is state law, even for tipped professions, the employer must pay a min. of $7 an hour in Hawaii.
I never tip anyone in places where they stick out tip jars on the counter and they think they should be tipped just for doing their regular job. This is some strange greedy custom that just started occurring within the last few years.
It is not true that people in tipped professions are all charity cases and obviously make less money than others. Lots of servers in expensive restaurants do quite well.
I don't like tipping, I think it's a horrible custom which I wish didn't exist as it has this whole class structure thing to it I dislike.
Also, the fact is that anyone who is tipped in Hawaii is already required to earn a min. of $7 an hour (not the $2.50 someone above claimed). It is state law, even for tipped professions, the employer must pay a min. of $7 an hour in Hawaii.
I never tip anyone in places where they stick out tip jars on the counter and they think they should be tipped just for doing their regular job. This is some strange greedy custom that just started occurring within the last few years.
It is not true that people in tipped professions are all charity cases and obviously make less money than others. Lots of servers in expensive restaurants do quite well.
I don't like tipping, I think it's a horrible custom which I wish didn't exist as it has this whole class structure thing to it I dislike.
Jan 14th, 2010, 09:21 AM
#49
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I also detest the tipping culture in the US. My feeling is I pay for a service, you are hired by the company (hotel, restaurant, barber shop, whatever) I hire and they pay you to do the job. Like Christina, I can't stand "tip jars" -- for what, exactly, am I tipping you? Nobody tips me for doing my job, even when I give (as always, of course) excellent service.
That said, I understand certain professions (waiters, for ex.) are not paid the minimum wage and therefore I do tip in accordance with the "norm". As for how much, well, I live in one of the "big cities - West Coast" to which john referred, so I'd say the typical tip for good service in a decent restaurant would be 15-20%. I won't comment on the other tips I give, because, to be honest, I am very erratic about it.
That said, I understand certain professions (waiters, for ex.) are not paid the minimum wage and therefore I do tip in accordance with the "norm". As for how much, well, I live in one of the "big cities - West Coast" to which john referred, so I'd say the typical tip for good service in a decent restaurant would be 15-20%. I won't comment on the other tips I give, because, to be honest, I am very erratic about it.
Jan 14th, 2010, 05:15 PM
#51
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Tipping has nothing to do with a class structure. It's strictly finances - restaurants can charge lower prices, taxi fares can be lower and hotel employees can earn less.
I wish these people were paid living wages - but they're not. And if a "service charge" was added to the listed price, you can be sure most of the money would go to the restaurant owner - not the wait staff.
As for class, I worked as a waitress while in college - and many of my friends did the same - since it was one of the few jobs that fit with class hours. How does that fit in with a "class" comment?
I wish these people were paid living wages - but they're not. And if a "service charge" was added to the listed price, you can be sure most of the money would go to the restaurant owner - not the wait staff.
As for class, I worked as a waitress while in college - and many of my friends did the same - since it was one of the few jobs that fit with class hours. How does that fit in with a "class" comment?
Jan 15th, 2010, 10:05 AM
#54
Just to throw my two cents in regarding tipping the housekeeping staff - some people do it, some people do not. Anyone saying that the majority of people tip or do not tip are just guessing. It is certainly not as universal as tipping waitstaff. Personally, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
Tipping in general is out of control in this country. This whole topic reminds me of when we were in Chile a few years ago and went on a guided winery tour by van with about 10 other people. We were the only two from the U.S. - everyone else came from various South American countries including Venezuela, Brazil and, if I remember correctly, Colombia. The guide was excellent - he was friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic (without being overbearing). Toward the end of the tour, as we were getting back to Santiago, everyone got their bill for the tour, which you could pay by credit card. We wanted to tip him but we didn't know what the custom was - do you tip at all? if so, could we just add it to the bill or should we pay in cash. We asked him about tipping he said that if we wanted to, we could add it to the bill. I tried to be discreet about it but we were in a van with everyone else. The Venezuluen man (who was generally hostile toward Americans) mocked us. Said something to the effect of "Oh the big shot Americans." We looked at each other but ignored him. The tour guide seemed very appreciative.
Tipping in general is out of control in this country. This whole topic reminds me of when we were in Chile a few years ago and went on a guided winery tour by van with about 10 other people. We were the only two from the U.S. - everyone else came from various South American countries including Venezuela, Brazil and, if I remember correctly, Colombia. The guide was excellent - he was friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic (without being overbearing). Toward the end of the tour, as we were getting back to Santiago, everyone got their bill for the tour, which you could pay by credit card. We wanted to tip him but we didn't know what the custom was - do you tip at all? if so, could we just add it to the bill or should we pay in cash. We asked him about tipping he said that if we wanted to, we could add it to the bill. I tried to be discreet about it but we were in a van with everyone else. The Venezuluen man (who was generally hostile toward Americans) mocked us. Said something to the effect of "Oh the big shot Americans." We looked at each other but ignored him. The tour guide seemed very appreciative.
Jan 17th, 2010, 10:27 AM
#55
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Tipping used to be 10% then was raised to 15%, now it's 18-20%. It always seemed unfair to me that workers in low end restaurants get the same percent at those in high end. I generally tip between 15 and 20% but less if service is poor. I give a higher per cent at low end restaurants. At buffets I leave a $2 tip. Once, not only was the service poor but the waitress had a bad attitude, as though I was interfering with her day. I left no tip. A friend later advised me that it is better to leave a nickle or quarter so that the waitress doesn't think you simply forgot. I never put anything in tip jars. They annoy me. Also, I don't tip for maid service.
Jan 18th, 2010, 04:05 AM
#56
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tipping the way it operates in the USA should be banned. its unfair to expect that i should pay the wages of people working in restaurants and hotels. why dont their employers pay them properly?
if i have to budget for a holiday or a night out why should i have to budget for the people who work in the hotels or restaurants where i might eat? am i the social services? no im not.
"Tips" are even included in your bill in pizzahut for crying out loud!!
the whole tipping policy is an excuse for businessmen to exploit their workers by paying them poorly then expecting customers to pay them. whats that all about? it should be banned.
if service is great and i am pleased with my meal i will tip the waiter but why should i be expected to tip everyone?
no one tips me in my job, why should they? i work to get paid a decent wage. if it wasnt a good wage id move on.
if i have to budget for a holiday or a night out why should i have to budget for the people who work in the hotels or restaurants where i might eat? am i the social services? no im not.
"Tips" are even included in your bill in pizzahut for crying out loud!!
the whole tipping policy is an excuse for businessmen to exploit their workers by paying them poorly then expecting customers to pay them. whats that all about? it should be banned.
if service is great and i am pleased with my meal i will tip the waiter but why should i be expected to tip everyone?
no one tips me in my job, why should they? i work to get paid a decent wage. if it wasnt a good wage id move on.
Jan 19th, 2010, 02:14 PM
#60
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"tipping the way it operates in the USA should be banned. its unfair to expect that i should pay the wages of people working in restaurants and hotels. why dont their employers pay them properly?
if i have to budget for a holiday or a night out why should i have to budget for the people who work in the hotels or restaurants where i might eat? am i the social services? no im not."
HUH? Who do you think is supposed to pay those people? Charity? You're talking about profit making businesses here. Clearly if the owner pays them more he must collect that money from the customer. Any thought that it could possibly work any other way is plain foolishness. Just like if he must pay for the food he buys, it goes into the cost of the meal -- the same thing is true of what he will pay the employees. So like it or not, the bottom line is if you weren't expected to pay 15 or 20% in tips, then the cost of the meal would go up by 15 or 20 percent. Period. It doesn't change your "budget" either way!
if i have to budget for a holiday or a night out why should i have to budget for the people who work in the hotels or restaurants where i might eat? am i the social services? no im not."
HUH? Who do you think is supposed to pay those people? Charity? You're talking about profit making businesses here. Clearly if the owner pays them more he must collect that money from the customer. Any thought that it could possibly work any other way is plain foolishness. Just like if he must pay for the food he buys, it goes into the cost of the meal -- the same thing is true of what he will pay the employees. So like it or not, the bottom line is if you weren't expected to pay 15 or 20% in tips, then the cost of the meal would go up by 15 or 20 percent. Period. It doesn't change your "budget" either way!
