I have to say that cabbies are the worst when it comes to agressively pursuing tips. I have had numerous trips to and form the airport with cabbies asking me t fill out tips before the ride has began since I normally use the company crdit card. They moan and complain about driving and are reckless as well. I tip no more than 10% for cabbies since most of the time, they dont deserve that much.

Would someone please explain why we have to tip our hairdresser? We pay lots of money for the color and cut so why do I have to tip on top of that? Don't tell me it's because they don't get paid well... I know several hairstylists who do very well and we certainly don't go around tipping other professions. Otherwise why don't we tip the kid at McDonalds, the bank teller (they get paid a paltry sum0, teachers, social workers, etc?

If that is your reasoning, Collette, why bother tipping at all?

I think most most people know that tour guides expect a tip if they are good. And there's certainly nothing wrong with a gentle reminder at the end of the tour.

However, I found the posts about what goes on at Taos Pueblo where the tour guide spends the first 10 minutes giving you his sob story to be just unbelievable. To think that you pay for a tour, and then are held captive listening to something having nothing to do with the tour? I would have raised my hand and said "I'm sorry you're having problems, but we're here for the tour and we would appreciate your doing your job starting right now."

Camera gratuity? Now I've heard it all.

JM - I hate those situations too. What I've been doing lately is avoiding places that have that sort of tipping "tailhook" in place.

Just give them whatever they want. You do not want others to think you are cheap. Plus you make more money than they do, so it is up to you to make the world equal and perfect.

Or just tell them to kiss your ass.

I don't employ these service people and therefore I feel no need to pay their salaries. That's their employer's responsibilitiy.

The worst place for aggressive pursuit of tips, is Maui. We payed $110.00 to be hauled up the mountain and then ride a bike down. The tour guides "double-teamed" us for tips for the entire ride up the mountain and then at the office after the ride. I had sat beside two Japanese women that spoke no English, and the tour guide wanted me to ask them for tips. I told her I spoke NO Japanese whatsoever, but she said I had sat next to them and therefore could communicate it better than she could. HUH??????

We ate at Sansei in Kapalua, Maui and they had already added in the 18% tip. That really gripes me because the wine was very warm and service was not very good at all. We had no choice but to tip for such lousy service.

You can always have the gratuity removed if you ask. I have never heard of one place that leaves it on when someone complains about poor service.

Classy.

I was in Ottawa (where all the cabs take amex), I get in this cab and we get to the destination and the guy tells me he doesn't take amex. I said, "every cab in ottawa takes amex (it is some govt. policy or something)" He says, "oh, this is a new car, I am not sure where the machine is" he gets out looks in the trunk says "nope, not in there, why don't you pay cash, I'll take you to an atm" I said "no I'll pay with amex" he then looks in the glove compartment (of all places) and voila! the amex machine!!

Like a dumbass I tipped him anyway. I should be runover by this thief for that.

Just thought this was a good item to top as we are starting to see the honeymoon posts start up again. People are bored.

Unrelated I know but here it goes. Do you tip the mailman for the Holidays? Mine leaves a card with his days off. I would take that as a hint. If you do how much?

Someone on my block leaves a nice pair of work gloves for the garbage men right on top of the cans. I think something on similar grounds would be nice for the mailmen. Of course if it is in your buget a $10-15 tip is a nice gesture.

A certain upscale chocolate candy company has a bar out in a card this year with various sayings. (Thank-you, or Happy Holidays) I don't want to say who it is or I will be accused of advertising. Anyway I got that candy bar card, and a regular card and I put $10 in it so I guess that is sufficient. I never thought about the garbage men. A nice bottle of wine is nice if you know the person, but then again, one doesn't know if one drinks alcohol or not. By the same token he could be a diabetic for all I know but at least candy is more socially excepted then liquor.

We live in a huge condo building in NYC and have about 22 people working there, and then the garage staff. We tip the doormen separately. But then I have the package room (3 people), the mailmen (2), the NY Times guy, and about 25 people at work between my husband and I. What we do is buy the book of movie passes for Loews. I think it is 50 passes in a booklet for about $275($5.50 a pass). I tape 2 (or 4 depending on the person) to a box of movie candy bought at the Rite Aid and stick it in an envelope with a card. Since movies in NYC are up to $10 to $10.50 per person, it is a welcomed gift, and saves me plenty of time and energy. If there are leftovers, we can use them!

Since I have you hear Ellen I am stumped on what to give the Super. I live in an apartment that is ok not the scale you are but still on the upper east side, no doorman but still a nice building. I was thinking $50 bucks what is the standard? I am only in a studio apartment. My rent is 1600. I don't own.

I give you New yorkers credit. $1600 for a studio!! That is outrageous. My goodness how do you manage?? You must have great paying jobs is all I can say.