That annoys me tons too!!!

To me, that is "punishing" the staff for your displeasure with how management operates. That's akin to shooting the messenger. A smile and bit of personal attention earns my tip, regardless of how much or how little "food fetching" a server has to do. YMMV.

Isn't 10% the "guide" when self service?

The Renaissance Toronto Downtown has "gradituity included" on their buffet breakfast vouchers. I wonder how that's worked out... 10-15% of the bill paid to the staff?

Either way I always leave something.

I take a different view of the service industry.

I'll leave a buck or two for that guy/gal who tidies up the table, removes my plate or otherwise does something helpful/useful. Yeah it's their job, and that's what they're suppossed to do. But I've got working class roots which acknowledge effort, especially when it involves service folks who depend upon customer good will. Especially so given these tough times we all live in. That's just my own view of the world.

As to the tip jar. Sounds a bit tacky in any Marriott situation. I've not encountered this yet. Still, I suspect that it flows from the sour economy.

Barry

Personally I don't have a set rule to tip or not. It depends on where I am (therefore local custom; tipping could be an insult at some places) and the service quality.
I do concur the tip-dish is in poor dish. That said, workers in the CL at the Crystal Gateway Marriott use the tray for tip collection and soiled dishes. First thing in the morning for breakfast, I noticed several "single $ bills" on the tray. Subsequent visit to the CL saw the same thing. I suspect the workers might have planted them there to induce customer tipping. If I tip, I usually just leave money on the table, not to leave it at the tip-dish or a tray.

I never used to tip in the CL until I noticed a discussion about it on FT about 6 months ago. Since then, I sometimes tip if I get especially good service or at the end of a longer stay. For example, when I was traveling with my family, the CL attendant went out of her way to get a high chair delivered for our daughter very promptly and then asked how long we were staying so she could keep the chair in the CL for us. We were just on an overnight but it was a good thought never the less. I gave her a few dollar tip.

On business trips, I generally like to limit my spending to what I can expense (other than personal entertainment). Our corporate policy requires receipts for all expenses no matter how small. So CL tipping is a pain to get reimbursed and I generally don't do it since it most likely will just come out of my own pocket. Call me cheap if you like.

Finally, tipping in the CL (or in most places for that matter) should not be expected. It is something done in return for good customer service. I especially despise the profileration of tip jars on counters that have sprung up over the past few years. I don't like the sense of entitelement it converys. My two cents...

--Jon

I do still tip 20% when using breakfast vouchers at the restaurant (when club is closed)

I do not tip in clubs in the states for clearing plates.

I do tip when not in the states, such as Mexico - where they pour your coffee & are willing to answer questions or offer suggestions for restaurants or things to do/see. I have had the attendants make me bloody marys or mamossa's (sp) for breakfast gratis. $5/table went a long way there!

I do tip the club attendant for taking the time to print off my boarding passes for me, suggest a few restaurants, make a reservation etc. Recently the gentlemen in the club spent about 40m of his time assisting us with restaurant suggestions, even calling several restaurants to make a reservation, then printed off directions for us. I gave him $10.

I tend to tip in international locations as many have either free drinks or a cocktail hour where they take orders and serve you. When the staff remembers my drink the next day (Singapore, Bangkok, and some others) it really shows what service is about and always wants me to show thanks with a tip.

In the US -- sometimes out of pitty in a slow lounge where they have been friendly, or as others have said... provide some additional added value.

I would tend to leave more at breakfast than if just stopping in for an afternoon / evening snack since I make a bigger mess.

Apples to oranges.

McDs min wage = the fed min wage
Servers min wage = 50% of the fed min wage or less as they are expected to make tips.

I tip even on buffetts.