Westcoaster

I do the same. I also leave extra if I'm leaving a note with special requests.

Canarsie

I have to tip my hat to you for making such a gratuitous remark, richard.

I will side with those who say 20%, since I find your moderation service of this forum to be at least very good, richard.

rafatmit

I stayed at the Millennium UN last Wednesday night for two job interviews Thursday -- big mistake. I had to keep convincing cops that yes I was a guest at the hotel, and no I didn't have my UN ID on me. 'Twasn't fun.

I chatted with a bellman for a few minutes about the UN meeting. They can't wait for them to be gone. I didn't realize at the time it was because of tipping; the hassle of the closed streets and security was what did it for me. I did tip him, though.

obscure2k

I normally tip the maid on the first sighting. I ask the maid if he/she, will be our maid for the duration of our trip. The tip on the way-in goes a long way ensuring a clean room, cleaned early, in the day and magically, more shower caps. In my experience, the maids have been quite candid about their days-off. Also, a tip on the way-in, avoids the knock on the door on the way-out.

birdstrike

Interesting. I, too, had never heard of tipping the maid until I began reading FT.

What are we to make of robbs poll? Is tipping the maids becoming a new standard, or merely an indication of American confusion about service?

Personally, I believe that everyone should be paid a fair wage, and that tips are purely a gesture of appreciation.

I tip wait-staff very generously, good service or no, because I know their livelyhood depends upon it. I tip taxi drivers, I tip my barber.

I'm deeply conflicted about tipping the valet parkers when I'm charged $20 to $40 -per night- by the hotel.. But I'll usually hand them a couple of bucks.

Mrukk

Just putting up my hand as another who had never heard of tipping the maid before reading FT. As others have said, the maid makes a standard wage, as do most people. I think it is a stretch to assume that they work any harder than most of us have to in order to keep our jobs. Should I then start handing out my money to anyone who makes less money than I do? I know I'd love it if I was the recipient of cash from anyone making more than me, but I could hardly expect anything, especially if it is not written into a contract.

Like some others, I think tipping is a ghastly concept. Nevertheless I always tip appropriately those who do not make a standard wage. However that is as far as I will stretch my finances in order to pay someone elses way.

[This message has been edited by Mrukk (edited 09-28-2003).]

Fredd

Do you collect shower caps or???

birdstrike

I collect 'em. I use them whenever I change the oil in my car

Fredd

No wonder you need a bunch... I can't imagine a single shower cap holding more than a couple of pints!

BoSoxFan45

If it's a large mess, yes.

If not, no.

A few bucks, depending on the size of the room and quality of hotel.

robb

Still running neck and neck after 89 responses. I wouldn't have thought it would be this close.

45% always tip
7% sometimes tip (large mess)
44% never tip
5% unsure

ralfkrippner

I tip on 99% of my stays and it usually is 1-2 US-dollars or equivalent depending on hotel category.

Fredd

Put us down for "sometimes," usually for stays of several days and particularly if there has been some special service. Since our children are all grown up we no longer make large messes.

MelP

I tip most of the time, usually the equivalent of $1-2USCan a day (up to $8-10 max.), left at the end of my stay. Although sometimes I check out and forget to leave the tip, only to remember when I'm on my way home. <g> On my last trip to Vancouver, I happened to have made a quick stop back to my hotel room around 3PM in the afternoon on the 5th day of a six day stay. The maid who made up my room the three previous days knocks on my door to let me know that she was off the next day, didn't take long for the light bulb to go off in my head as to why she was telling me this. <g>

JS

That's what I call "trolling for tips". I expect the hotel staff to leave me alone. Bugging me (hotel, restaurant, anywhere) will not encourage me to give you MORE money. In fact, it will be the opposite.

After that comment you should have said, "That's nice. Have a pleasant day off."

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"Yippie-kay-yay, Mr. Falcon!" -- John McClane, Die Hard II As Seen on TV