The recent thread on Room Service tips has got me thinking a little bit...

As stated in that thread, my family has always said I'm an 'extreme overtipper'. They are somewhat right. Of course I have my reasons for this behavior, and I know that they are highly subjective, but I also have had some interesting tipping experiences while travelling... and wanted to share them.

Also, I wanted to hear what fellow FTers tip in these situations... both in the US and abroad... So here are some scenarios and questions...

Valet Parking - Do you tip when you hand over your car, when you pick up your car, both, or never?

My response - To the eternal chagrin of my wife, I do both - but my car is always up front and ready quickly when I get back!

Tip Money - Does anyone else keep a stash of small bills with them all the time so you have appropriate "tip money" around?

My response - Yes, in my office, home and briefcase.

Service Charge Tipping - How often, if ever, do you tip above a stated service charge (hotel, restaurant, club, etc...), and if so, do you do it in cash or as a write in?

My response - Nearly always and nearly always in cash.

How much do you vary the above when travelling internationally?

My response - Not as much as I should, meaning I probably tip too much outside the US.

Do you have any experiences where you feel any "tip remorse"? Both when you've felt you've tipped TOO much and didn't get anything for it, and when you realized you didn't tip enough (or anything at all) and felt bad about it?

My response - For me the only times have been when I've inadvertantly not or undertipped... I still feel bad about those times.

Scenarios...

I've had some interesting scenarios internationally too. In China, I once hosted about 10 people for dinner. Great meal, wonderful service... all in a private banquet room - very common in China. The head server (a nice lady) took excellent care of us and even sang a song and was generally terrific. I tried to give her a supplementary cash tip as we were leaving and it scared her! She told my Chinese colleagues that she was afraid of getting caught by the management taking the tip - said it would get her in trouble. First and only time that's happened to me.

In Hong Kong, at a very nice restaurant, the service was mediocre but it was still my plan to slightly supplement the standard service charge that is common in Hong Kong. A practice, that I am usually chastised for by my HK colleagues. When the waiter dropped the check he specifically looked at me and said, "You do know that the service charge goes to the restaurant and we get none of it, right?"... he said it in a tone that was more than a little annoying, so I did not supplement the service charge. Very rare for me. I haven't been back to this restaurant.

So what are your thoughts and experiences on this stuff in the US and abroad?