Does the ES manager know there is a tip jar at that station? Sometimes tip jars are an employee tactic that vanishes when management is around.

I stay often and sometimes for many days at an ES in West Texas. I'll protect the guilty.


After a couple days when it was apparent I was/am there for a long stay, the cook starts my omlet when he sees me approaching the breakfast area. He is a great cook. I put on a few pounds every time I stay out there.

He has a tip jar that traveles in and out of hiding. As he does such a great job for me, saves me from standing and waiting in line (saves me time) and generally is a nice person; I do tip him.....but carefully as the manager does want to SEE the tip jar.

I also tip the woman who works there as she always makes me a sack pack (so I won't get thinner) for me to take to the office and the women who clean my room.

We are very good customers of this hotel -- many weeks of stays per year. Home away from home. The manager doesn't want to see employees begging for tips, but apparently doesn't care that they get them. This hotel works very hard to compete with newer properties that have more features that have sprung up around it.

In this case, I think tipping is fair and appropriate.

This brings up the interesting question of whether or not I could live full time as something like an ES. Our contract has a very good rate especially when you include the wonderful breakfasts. Is that what will have when old FTers retire? We move into suites hotels?