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Concierge Lounge Tipping Etiquette

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Old Sep 20, 2011, 7:57 am
  #1  
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Concierge Lounge Tipping Etiquette

Today while having breakfast I noticed a grumpy middle-aged man accosted a younger guy and virtually told him off for not leaving a tip. I wanted to see what the general consensus is regarding leaving tips in the lounge after breakfast.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 8:07 am
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Originally Posted by farhanmehta
Today while having breakfast I noticed a grumpy middle-aged man accosted a younger guy and virtually told him off for not leaving a tip. I wanted to see what the general consensus is regarding leaving tips in the lounge after breakfast.

He has no business doing that... I usually stay somewhere for a week at time and since it's usually the same CL agent in the AM shift or PM shift all week I'll leave a great tip at some point during the week. I wiiiiisssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh he would accosted me.... I see these "grumpy middle-aged man" always walk around the CL like they own the place and treat the CL staff like dirt! BOOM!
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 8:10 am
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Did they do anything tip worthy for you besides greet you? I usually make a breakfast plate of my own and get myself a coffee/OJ. If they serve you with refills then maybe.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 9:17 am
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There's been prior threads on this. Some people always tip in the C-Lounge. Some people tip when extra services are requested and provided. Some folks don't tip there. Any of these three would be well within the norm.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 10:32 am
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Originally Posted by farhanmehta
Today while having breakfast I noticed a grumpy middle-aged man accosted a younger guy and virtually told him off for not leaving a tip. I wanted to see what the general consensus is regarding leaving tips in the lounge after breakfast.
The grumpy guy was out-of-line. Many people, including me, leave a tip at the end, not for each visit. As to tipping at all, there are people who are cheap and people who are generous. I tend to leave $3/day and round up to nearest $10.

Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 10:35 am
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I couldn't find the thread if it already exists. Mods pl merge if necessary
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 11:12 am
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Originally Posted by Often1
Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
I agree with the lightening part, but disagree with the last.

While I may leave a dollar or 2 (if the attendant is actually doing something like filling my drinks, cleaning my table, providing dinner or activity recommendations, etc.), I don't think there is anything wrong/unethical/classless in not leaving a tip.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 12:01 pm
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My typical interaction with the CL staff is limited to giving my name and room number when I enter. We exchange basic pleasantries. They clear my plate and glasses occasionally. Maybe I ask them to suggest a restaurant offsite. I don't see what's worth a tip in that. I presume that, unlike restaurant wait staff in the US, they are paid a reasonable salary for doing these basic duties of their jobs. Those who do tip: what services are you tipping for?
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 1:14 pm
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Got mixed feelings about this one.

There are times where I've left a dollar or two on the table especially if there is no option to self serve "clean up" - but I've also hand carried plates into the kitchen because it just seems like the right thing to do.

But I also get the feeling that lounges are a "higher class" of service - nicer clothes, surroundings, informal like a club - and tipping like a waitress is almost seems insulting to them, especially a dollar or two at a time. Sort of like tipping in a planes First Class - doesn't seem right?

I've got some long term friendly relationships with several attendants in a few places and will ask their opinions - I want to do the "right" thing...
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 1:19 pm
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Originally Posted by Often1
The grumpy guy was out-of-line. Many people, including me, leave a tip at the end, not for each visit. As to tipping at all, there are people who are cheap and people who are generous. I tend to leave $3/day and round up to nearest $10.

Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
It's usually the people who think they have class that are classless...
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 4:17 pm
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It is a personal decision to tip. The old grump should mind his own business. I tip when it is outside the normal service, but will wait and do it once. I dont get tipped on my job each day. They wait til the end of the year and decide.

I have seen this type that seem to stare you down when you are in the lounge. They want to take over, protect the food and probably count everything you take.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 5:41 pm
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+1

Originally Posted by joshua362
Got mixed feelings about this one.

There are times where I've left a dollar or two on the table.

I've got some long term friendly relationships with several attendants in a few places and will ask their opinions - I want to do the "right" thing...

Same thoughts, Quite a few stays of mine are in China, where tipping is not needed, but i still leave the US $ or two. It's amazing how the attendants then remember you, & your room # on future visits. Sometimes i run out of $, and then just leave rmb on the last day.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 5:54 pm
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Originally Posted by User Name
It's usually the people who think they have class that are classless...
+1^

Tipping is a personal decision. The CL attendant is already paid well and would probably be grateful if you do tip but is not going to quibble about not receiving one. The grumpy-old dude was probably the father of the CL attendant.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 8:12 pm
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Remember that TIPS originally stood for Too Insure Prompt Service. Something to think about in this and any tipping discussion.
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Old Sep 20, 2011, 8:50 pm
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I am in the "never tip" group.
All of my CL visits have been me fixing myself a plate, eating my food, and dropping off my dishes on a tray, or throwing them out if plastic.
I dont see why I would tip for this.
If I were accosted by an old man I would either a)Not even acknowledge him b)tell him to mind his own ****** business c)Tell him I dont tip people if they dont do anything for me. It would depend on my mood.

I like that it is a self serve/self clear environment. If the attendants were taking my plate as I finished I would likely leave a $1-2 tip.
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