As a frequent business and pleasure traveler in today's sea of financially struggling travel-related businesses, I've recently been made much more concious of the reason for proper tipping in my travels. It began when I woke up September 11, 2001 on Kauai, and then witnessed 40 percent of Hawaii's hotel service employees being laid off within four days of the attack.

Quite obviously, many of the front-line service people we all depend on daily are still on hard financial times. On checking out of a hotel the other day, I tipped a cheerful and attentive bellman/doorman $10. His eyes literally teared up, and he struggled to say "God bless you" in a voice choked with emotion. And this was at the Renaissance Beverly Hills right off Rodeo Drive!

Just remembering to leave $2-$3 per day for your hotel maid makes such a difference in the life of someone struggling and working hard to achieve the American dream. At the Sacramento Hyatt this week, my housekeeper wrote me thank you notes every day for the modest tips I left (something I NEVER used to do).

My only purpose is to remind others, as I had to be reminded, that these people are dependent on tips for their humble existences. Hotel maids, bellhops, car valets, room service delivery people, and airport skyhops are just some of the people I used to be hit-and-miss in my attention to properly tipping. Not any more.

Happy travels,

Brian



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Brian