i am probably going to piss a lot of people off, but that's life...

<rant>
i can't believe how tip-happy people are... i consider maids, concierge, bell boys, and everyone else working at the hotel as part of the benefits of paying overpriced hotel bills (in asia there is the 10% service charge that should cover everyones tip)... the concierge is listed as a benefit of the hotel as is daily maid service... why should i pay extra if i use them (not that i use the concierge much, other than ask for directions, a map, and once in a while or where i can get some food in the area)... i generally do not let the bell boy take my bag and when he does, i do not tip him, it is his JOB! if he doesn't like it, get a different job, there are people with much worse jobs that have harder time making ends meet... i really, really hate the extra "tax" that you have to pay in the usa for tips, especially when the service sucks. these waiters/waitresses should be paid a decent (minimum) wage, and we should be charged more for meals if the restaurant wants to pass the cost on to us... it has been said that the only reason that waiters/waitresses in the usa are allowed to get paid less than minimum wage is because tipping was so standard that the govt decided it could count to their minimum wage (i believe you have to pay taxes on at least 10% of all the food you serve no matter whether you have been tipped or not) ! this is crazy! also, it is getting VERY high these days as some people say that you should leave a 25% tip for a waiter/waitress! that is insane! 10% is reasonable, but 1/4 of the price of the food for someone to bring my plate from the kitchen to my table and get me a refill on my water? some waiters/waitresses do work hard for their money and i think do deserve a tip, BUT LET ME DECIDE WHEN TO TIP, DON'T REQUIRE IT!
</rant>