Originally Posted by
sfvoyage
I'm moving to Japan and will be living in an apartment building with valet parking. (Self-park is not possible in the garage.) Nice to know I won't need to tip every time I drop off or pick up my car.
What about annual bonus or gift (for New Year or some other festival?)? Is it customary to hand a small gift or money to service staff (building manager, receptionist, gym attendant, parking attendants, etc.) once a year? In Hong Kong, for Chinese New Year, we'd have to hand out numerous 'lai see' (lucky money) envelopes to everyone who's served us during the year.
this is totally ok.
in japan it is often comen to buy beer vouchers to give them to people or fruit baskets etc. but you can be creative and give them something when ever you feel they deserve a little token.
usually when i go to a business trip i buy some staff like candle or other stuff and give it to my staff or sometimes to hotel managers.
last time i have bought champagne and presented it to my hotel contacts at 4-5 hotels in tokyo as a christmas present.
cheers dp