Quietlion, if the guy had tears in his eyes, the odds are that he's not used to it and does need it.

Jay Leno, after 9/11, did a free charity event in Las Vegas because so many of the workers that depended on tips to augment their minimum wage salaries were in dire straits due to the lack of travelers.

I hired a cleaning lady for a day in Dec (post-surgery so I couldn't do any cleaning myself) & she made more money working for me for a day than she did as a housekeeper at a major upscale hotel chain, so it was worth it to her to take a day off. Says something about today's society doesn't it (but let's not hijack the thread & get onto that; that would be an omni discussion & I don't go there).

I do know that all the major luxury hotels in Santa Monica banded together to try & defeat the hired help from unionizing and/or getting paid more than the current minimum wage. These are hotels, btw, whose minimum room rate is $275.

If you can't afford to give one or don't think the cleaners, bellman, etc, deserve a tip, then don't give one. If you can or think your $1-2 can help, then go ahead & give. It's a personal choice.
------------------
Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 05-18-2003).]