mag_nate

Huh you're right - the brand standard I found with a quick google search states "The solicitation of tips by any employee is prohibited. Examples include tip jars in the breakfast area, in-room housekeeping envelopes, etc." (303.02)

I don't care really one way or another; it's just interesting to see such an in-depth document.

catcher1

I see no problem with those who choose not to leave a tip. What saddens me is the cold-hearted tone of some posters.

trouble747

Are you speaking of ANY tipping, whatever the context? Whatever the merits of tip-based compensation, if you don't tip when it's customary to do so you're not helping the employee. That IS 'tacky.'

pinniped

It is *not* customary to tip at a Hampton Inn. I oppose any steps taken to attempt to make people believe it is customary or feel guilty about not engaging in this scourge.

More broadly speaking, I believe it's a terrible economic model and should be driven out of society wherever possible. It leaves workers vulnerable and excuses corporations from fulfilling their responsibility to pay fair market wages for their talent. I get why it was used long ago with servants but I wish we as a people had moved beyond this kind of thinking. (Clearly we have not.)

That said, I don't engage in unusual tipping where it is customary, such as a U.S. restaurant. I just try to follow local custom wherever I am, even if I don't agree with the custom.

Often1

It is fine to believe that reliance on tips to make up for sub-standard wages is a poor economic model.

But, that does not change the reality of the situation today.

Here in the US. tipping for food service is the norm and one can rationalize different levels of tipping in many different ways, e.g. self-serve freeibie vs. fine-dining with a captain, water, and assistant all doting. But, leaving a tip jar is the least worst way to handle the situation because people who are not already paying won't tip without being jogged. Those who don't wish to tip should simply not tip.

trouble747

I agree that it is not customary.

Some efforts have been made on this point (while absolutely a minority, I know of establishments in the US that pay their FOH employees a full hourly wage and prohibit tipping). But I don't believe that individuals choosing to opt out--when tipping IS customary--does anything but harm the service employee. (And I feel like on our recent trips to western Europe we just saw a lot of compulsory 'service charges' on restaurant bills. Is this a superior system?)

pinniped

The most honest and ethical system would be for the restaurant to pay its people what the market commands (abiding by all local employment laws) and charge diners an appropriate amount for the food. All this junk like tipping, bogus fees, etc. is just a shell game.

In the U.S., I'd be happy to see the purchasing power of the minimum wage raised at the Federal level, no exceptions for tipped employees, and then indexed to inflation so it adjusts every year. Then high-cost states and cities could choose to raise it beyond that, but they would not be permitted to undercut the Federal law because of an archaic tipping custom.

hotelboy

Cool...remind me to raise your room rate about $200/night for your next stay at my property

pinniped

So your hotel is currently skirting a bunch of employment laws right now? To fully comply you'd need to charge $200 additional per room per night?

I call BS.

squeakr

Points Scrounger

I saw it once at a Homewood breakfast. When I mentioned my unhappiness, the manager I spoke with replied, "I guess that must be left over from an evening reception."

Jono

I've been to at least two Embassy Suites - one in Chicago, another in South Carolina - where the cook (chef?) making the made-to-order eggs/pancakes was freely accepting tips left on top of the counter in front of his griddle.

smmrfld

OskiBear

I've never seen it at a Hampton, but that seems rational giving there's no "personalized" service aspect at breakfast. However, it does appear to be the norm at other properties - generally when there are cooked-to-order eggs on offer. The omelette chef usually has a tip jar/bowl on the counter.

hugolover

Interesting reports. Another consistent brand standard then!