[theworldtraveller]

Tips should be for good service and for enhancing your life – the way people around the world now ‘expect’ is not right and needs to change. Not sure how it will though.

I think we need to move away from % to an actual amount like the maids. Why should a $600 3 course meal not pay the same as a $200 3 course meal just because the wine is more expensive ?

The amount of effort provided by the staff is probably not much different and the restaurant owner is making more profits to pay the proper wages.

A Campaign for tipping, only for good service perhaps ?

[robsmith100]

There is no law that states you have to tip!!!

I generally don’t tip or pay the service charge unless I feel the service is over and beyond my expectations and what ever I can afford to pay. I have even had arguments in restaurants with the staff/manager in the charge or the tip/service not being justified. Don’t be afraid to make a fuss and scene and where necessary escalate the situation!

However speaking to people on the other side on the fence it can even be very rude not to accept a tip if given/offered by a guest. Speaking to a friend who is a hotel receptionist has told me about times when they have had to raise glitches, from staff that have declined tips (for whatever reason) and as a result have had to comp guests to free drinks and in some cases a free night of accommodation!!

[MartynSinclair]

I have just checked in for a flight out of MCO and having time to kill and for the sake of accurate reporting, I asked a Customer Services for Jet Blue, American and United about their tipping policy at kerbside check in.

It was made absolutely clear to me by each of the companies that they DO NOT endorse any kind of tipping policy for kerb side check in. Other than that, no one would comment about the “tips are not required but are appreciated” signs on the airlines checker boards.

There was one additional comment, by a kerb side checker who made it their business to listen to the conversation, along the lines of “we all need to make extra money in this economy”.

I have thought about wearing a lapel pin, “rebates gratefully accepted for buying a ticket on your airline which contributes to your wages”.

I also like theworldtraveller’s comment about tipping and %’s. Why should the amount be linked to the value. If a thank you for service is to be made, why on earth should a $500 meal create a better tip than a $300 meal. The service has been exactly the same.

Tipping has got out of hand, (literally), I would love to see a campaign for realistic tipping supported by the establishments involved as well as the travel publications.

One example where tipping is absolutely banned is Silversea cruises. The company makes a point of saying that none are expected and all service charges are prepaid into the price of the cruise.

[NTarrant]

Thanks for the “tip” about Silversea cruises Martyn, having done a number of P&O cruises I get annoyed at being asked the “suggested” tip for our cabin steward is £3.50 per person per night so on a 14 night cruise £98.00 for doing what he/she is paid to do.

I agree tipping has got out of hand. There should be no right to automatic tipping, culture or not. Like these stupid resturants who quote “service charge is not included”, quite right.

[KeaneJohn]

When I am in the USA I like to stay at an Embassy Suites as they have a pretty good breakfast, the rooms are spacious and I like the lounge area.

They also tend to have a happy hour for 2 or 3 hours in the evening where all the drinks are free. As I am usually staying for more than one night I would put say $5 ot $10 down (thinking that is less than the cost of one drink and I can take 2 drinks per visit and can visit as often as you want its pretty good value). You do tend to get refilled quite quickly.

At one Embassy Suites in Oxnard CA they had a courtesy shuttle bus to the mall or the train station on demand from 7am to 9pm. I used to tip the driver usually one of the 3 bellhops $3 of $5 cheaper than a taxi and found that when dropping me off at the station, they asked if I wanted to be collected at 10.20pm time of the train from LA. A nice touch for maybe 5-10 mins of their time.

With restaurants I tend to tip 10-15% rounded up if the service was good unless there is a service charge added on.

What I do take the time to do if outstanding service is received as well is to write to the organisation to pass on a compliment in the hope that this will filter down to the employee with maybe a gesture from the company.

[IanFromHKG]

Good old Wikipedia is interesting on this topic – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip_(gratuity) – and even gives a brief guide to expectations in different countries. It isn’t at all comprehensive (it says tipping is customary in HK, for instance, but doesn’t mention that it is absolutely not expected in taxis where the norm is only to round up to the nearest HK$ (and since US$1 = HK$7.8, frankly that isn’t much).

It also reminded me of my first trip to Tokyo – I checked out of my hotel and asked them to arrange a taxi to the train station. They pointed out that it was so close it would be easier and quicker to walk and that they would arrange someone to help me with my bags. So a bellboy duly took my bags, escorted me to the train station, helped with purchasing my tickets, took me down to the platform, waited for the train and carried my bags onto it. Couldn’t have been more helpful, in fact. And when I shoved a tip into his hand, he bowed, apologised profusely, explained that it was unnecessary and not expected, and gave it back. I don’t know which of us was more embarrassed…

[BlackTower]

Charles P please name and shame that London restaurant I want to blacklist it….

[RichHI1]

UK 15%
US 20%. In US many service jobs pay minimum wage assuming tips are real salary this is fact of life in bars and restaurants. You don’t tip and they get virtually nothing.. Have a roll of small bills for general tips. Say $2 a bag to Hertz bus driver if they help you, same for hotel bellman normally I minimum at $5 even if one bag though I often decline bell service if only one bag. $2 downscale hotel $5-10 upscale hotel for Valet Parking. Fancy restuarant valet in Beverly Hills where you are trying to impress maybe $20. Does vary slightly across US with big cities expecting more than Midwest. If in doubt ask the bell man or front desk staff at hotel or friends.

[MartynSinclair]

“In US many service jobs pay minimum wage assuming tips are real salary this is fact of life in bars and restaurants”

Rich, I understand the above, but would you still pay 20% automatically, regardless of service?

I still dont understand why there is a need to tip check in staff – am waiting for someone to comment positively about this.

I know there is a big hoo ha about porters at crew hotels DEMANDING $1 a bag irrepsepctive of whether the bag is bought down or not. It seems to me that employees are running there own business within the business.

In the UK, the newly installed Bribery Act as dealt with this albeit on a larger scale. White collar brown envelopes, such as Property Agents taking back handers for additional services, is nothing more than a “tip”. This is now illegal.

[RichHI1]

Martyn , in UK I start from 15%. If service was great I pay more, if it sucked then may be 10% if I am really annoyed and will not be going back then 0%.
In US I start from 20%. If great more if sucked then probably 10-15%. Less likely to give nothing just in case I go back.
In Bars I normally work on couple of bucks a cocktail, as you go. That way you get the benefit of the service first time and do not have to chance they remember you.
Absoutley no tipping where inappropriate. On occasions where Reservations Directors have been helpful with upgardes or late availability then I go for a Christmas Bottle (not expensive) or floral arrangement (not being sexist here but appropriate.) Do not tip Maid Service or extra tip over service charge and delivery charge on room service. ALWAYS tip Valet guys well. $5-10 tip against a $70,000 car no brainer, also I like it waiting for me.
I think hardest country is Japan. Tipping in Japan is a minefield.

[MartynSinclair]

Thanks Rich, I have printed your most sensible review for my family to read.

Any comment on the kerbside and normal check in – this one is really quite new to me.

(USA)

[RichHI1]

Do not use Kerbside, use internet and try to ship bags but I would think same tipping as Bellman as they are hauling your bags. NEVER tip Check In. I believe it is against Airline rules fro staff to accept money and I suspect on an international itinerary you may even be in contravention fo security rules. Whatever happened to just telling people how good they are and how much you appreciate their excellent service. Often more appreciated than $5 even in the US. Only exception is where bag handler comes over to help with manhandling bags to TSA where you need to (like HNL). Then the guys are doing you a favour and not their job so I drop them $5 a bag.

[MartynSinclair]

Rich, 9/10 when I am dropped off at kerbside and pounced upon by the bag handlers, who appear to move my bags no more than a few feet for kerb side check in/bag drop, I am made to feel that it is all part of the service, ESPECIALLY when in the airline uniform. Porters are different, I fully accept that their job is reliant on tips.

I do not accept that airline emloyees, in uniform should be tipped when quite clearly they are doing a service employed to do, whether at kerbside check or bag drop.

$5 a bag Rich…………or may be I am just out of synch with the amount I should be tipping.

Establishing who is doing who a favour and whats meant to be part of the service needs to be established. Does anyone tip cabin crew??????????

[RichHI1]

Martyn, tipping is discretionary, you should do what you feel comfrotable with. I would not use Kerbside or Skycap, I always refuse even if I have a bag. If I am struggling with bags and they help me out to TSA I say thanks and $5 a bag ($10 in total) says that. Probably because a $10 bill is easier than counting out 7 or 8 dollar bills.
If you do nto want to tip then you should not, nor should you feel bullied into using Skycap.
Trust me I can be cheap. When flying in US with two carry ons I always scan outside the temrinal for Baggage carts that have been dumped to save the $5-6 for the easy cart machine. I think that is the real rip off.

[MartynSinclair]

I have no issue using a skycap / porter when the need arises. I just have a big issue in paying an airline employee a tip for something I have paid for through my ticket.

Bag drop/kerbside checkin is a service the airlines provide and endorse. I see absolutely no reason why there is a need to tip an employee for either moving a bag what amounts to 50 feet or because I use the service.

The airlines involved, in this case Jet Blue and United, just seem to turn a blind eye.

As for $5,00 a bag, good work if you can get it!!!!

[Author]

Posts