toking the host
 

Recently I went to Vegas for three nights. They were comp'd through my casino host which otherwise would have been $300. My host is a female. What would be a reasonable gift? (I want her to continue comping me, LOL)
Thanks guys,
David

You might want to give her show tickets if you have those comped from somewhere else... Otherwise something a touch more personal ? A scarf, maybe ?

I would think that anything (as long as it's not a plastic ring from a bubble-gum machine) would make an impression - I don't think that many people gift hosts. Could be wrong, though...

No cash. A small gift or maybe a coffee shop comp for 2 from another casino.

Wow, seriously?
It never occurred to me to tip my host. Really.
We had the same host at V/P for years, until they left for Mandalay, and the host still called us, offering up comped stays at Mandalay.

However, I did observe hosts giving wrapped gifts to customers at Venetian. Maybe to make them feel better after losing?

Toking
 

Well, I guess it depends on a couple of factors.

1. Are you a tipper in general ? Could be that you simply think toking - or rather gifting - the host is the right thing to do (I've seen people tip almost every type of service giver....)

2. Do you believe a tip/gift is a good investment ? i.e. do you think your host will remember you better, pay more attention to you, get you better comps if you show him/her some love ? (not literally...)

For a more in-depth discussion (although a tad outdated) look up Max Rubin's "Comp City"...


D.

Well, I tip service workers. . . hotel housekeepers, restaurant servers, etc.
I will never tip the fast food counter workers at the mall food court who have huge tip jars sitting next to the cash register.

I can't think of a good reason to tip the host, who I presume is paid a fair wage and then some. Can't even think of a single thing the host does that would give reason to tip . . . mayble it's like that "$20 trick", which I have never tried. An upfront "incentive"??

I think this is the reason that hosts can't accept certain types of gifts.

A host isn't going to comp you unless you play. If you play you will likely qualify for the comp. In short, tipping the host won't (likely) impact your comp-a-bility, so save your $.

Isn't that a bit backwards anyway? The point of the comp is to get (and thank you for previously) you playing (and losing). It's the casino "tipping" you... ;)

Then again, hosts do have some leeway as to what to comp you. I know this leeway is becoming more restricted as computerized systems zero on on your "how much is this sucker worth" value, but it still exists - more so in some places than others.

There is zero reason to tip a host. The job is a high paying position with more perks (and long hours) than you might imagine.

yes you should tip the host
 

hedoman, are you serious? this is a service related job, and tips/gifts are definitely appreciated by hosts. "high paying" is pretty relative, and is "more perks".

without a doubt, they work longer, but more flexible hours than a 40hr work week sitting in an office. i personally know a host, and she depends on tips/gifts from clients to supplement her income.

bottom line, if your host treats you well, you should probably treat them well too.

Sure, it's a service-related job, and of course the host appreciates tips and gifts. Who wouldn't? Geez, I wish I could put a tip jar on my desk at my office, just because I would appreciate tips and gifts.

But that doesn't mean someone should do it, or that it's expected.
Hosts are not going to comp you unless you've earned it. Period. They won't keep their jobs for long if they comped everybody who gave them a gift.

amicus, the host doesn't walk around with a tin jar jingling change every time they see you, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tip. yes it's their job to comp you based on play, but if they do a good job at it, yes you should show them some appreciation by tipping in some way or another.

we can go back and forth on what we morally believe in, but tipping for the reason of getting something back is probably the wrong reason to tip. secondly, if you just feel "its their job to do this anyway", you give them very little incentive to try harder and be good at what they do, which is to keep clients/customers happy. think about the big picture here.

Gee and I would have thought that being paid a good salary was incentive enough to be good at what they do. Obviously the salary is just to turn up and clock-on.

Sorry, don't understand. "if they do a good job at it" means what??
Hosts comp based on play, so how are they doing a good job or a bad job at it? Not much here about "morally" believing in anything. Incentive to try harder to do what? Comping based on the casino formula?
Don't know what the big picture here is either.

If I want my doctor to "do a good job at it" and I appreciate him, should I tip?