What do you normally tip for these "extraordinary services?"



[This message has been edited by hsilbiger (edited 09-26-2002).]

I don't expect extraordinary service, but when travelling outside US I typically leave loose change on the desk since I can't convert it back anyway - it's typically worth approx US$2.

In the US most jobs in the service industry are very low paid, so not too many people are enthusiastic to accept these jobs. Only people who have very little or no alternatives end up in these jobs.
Needless to say that many of them are not up to the job and deliver poor service (many examples in previous mails) and/or are not very motivated in their job.
Employers pay those workers low basic income and expect us (the customer) to make up for that by paying tips. I would prefer the situation where the workers get a decent basic income. This would not only relieve us from having to pay tips for all kind of services it would also cause better qualified people to take positions in the service industry.

When I go to a restaurant, hotel, etc. I expect service. Service is part of the deal, so I don't mind paying for it. If for some reason I'm not happy about the level of service I receive there are many ways to take action on that.
That works in the rest of the world. In the US things are shifting to more and more tips (like the jars on the counter at Starbucks), its time to turn things around.

I have a friend who gets 50 brand new 1.00 bills, takes them to a printer and has them padded with glue at top. Peels off 1 or 2 as needed.

My gripe is with room service. gratituity, service charge and more added.

Also, I HATE it when a restaruant adds a tip. I might have given more (and I tell the waiter that he was screwed by his bosses for telling me what to give) or if service is bad---it is hard to get them to take off.

No offense, QuietLion, but I find this pretty disappointing. How much do you think hotel housekeepers get paid? Would it kill you to leave a couple of bucks? I would love for you to work as a housekeeper for just one shift, I guarantee you would change your mind.



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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

When is a gratuity not a gratuity? When it changes into an expected component of the staff's compensation. I am of the school (and IMHO this represents the vast majority of world travelers) that believes gratuities come into play only when something extraordinary is done.

Perhaps if the unusual pay scale situation with waiters and bartenders did not exist in the US, more US travelers would understand that no gratuities are ever "required." Somehow, the waiter/ bartender 15% standard has migrated to all sorts of new places (including, in my experience just this weekend, at a candy shop, on a fast food counter, and in a clothing store).

The tipping thing is outta control. Last week, after trying to get some attention from a sports-loving bartender watching his �personal� TV at the other end of the bar, I walked over to him and requested another beer. He said �getsa in a minute�. He watched 2 more plays, then twisted off a beer cap, plopped it down and went back to watching his game on the company�s nickel. Later I had to flag him down to get the check.

I left a one (1) dolla tip after signing the tab. As I left he mumbled about �CRAPPY TIPPERS�. Hearing this I returned, asked for my buck back, very carefully put it back on the folded bills, pocketed it, and left. He looked dumbfounded.

I called the hotel MOD and reported him later. I am certain this was not the first time. If the hotel had a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee I would be temped to claim it as conduct like this, IMHO, is totally intolerable.

MisterNice

It's only expected so long as they do their job properly. If the maid comes in and properly cleans your room, but doesn't go above and beyond, you should still show your gratuity. Especially because that gratuity is part of their expected compensation.

If the service is bad or good, you can always change the size of the tip accordingly, but I think it's wrong to not tip someone who's working for tips for "only" living up to the expectations of his or her job.

Sure, hotels and restaurants could start paying higher wages, but they aren't doing that right now. And if they did, less money would probably make it into the hands of the staff and we customers would probably end up paying more. Plus, when the service charge is included, it takes away your discretionary tipping ability to some extent, particularly on the downside.

d

No, having your room cleaned is a standard part of the product you've purchased.

It's not expected as far as I'm concerned. If it were, the service provided would be entirely discretionary or the service provider would be paid sub-minimum wage a la waiters and bartenders.

So, should we infer that you tip:
- airline baggage handlers?
- grocery stock clerks?
- electric meter readers?
- dealership mechanics?
- cooks/chefs?
- bank tellers?
- ticket agents?

Why all these different areas? There is no formula or rule book, only custom.

You don't have to tip anyone if you don't want, but the system here in the US is that businesses expect their customers to tip for service accordingly. Gratuities are certainly not a part of your purchase. Furthermore, I know for a fact that some managers at hotels and restaurants will take staff's side if the customer fails to tip properly, and they later complain about something.

When I was a poor student, and wanted to go out on Saturday night, I would count tips as part of my costs for that night. If I didn't have enough to tip, I wouldn't go out.

It's simply not fair to not tip when you should, and I feel that most of the time, it's your burden to find out when to tip, and how much.

After my rant on tip jars, I just wanted to mention one place I frequent that has tip jars that I don't mind at all. The workers at a local ice cream place - the kind that pounds the different toppings into the ice cream - promise to sing for you if you put a tip in the jar. Sometimes you might want to put another tip in to get them to stop , but I find their creativity and desire to at least do something for a tip amusing and well worth a little extra.

I don't consider it my place to give a couple of bucks to everyone I think is underpaid. I was not raised with the custom of tipping hotel maids and don't see much value in starting now. I DO consider it my place to be nice to hotel staff, which I hope is appreciated as much as a couple of dollars.

QL

AFAIC, that would be for service in restaurants & bars, for taxis, and for discretionary services in which the gratuity comprises the total cost of the service requested. Off the top of my head, I can think of no other instances where I feel an obligation to tip. YMMV.

Early on, I put in my time doing manual and semi-skilled minimum-wage labor, and I took pride in my work. The customer paid my employer for the job, and my employer paid me.

So you see, I've been in that situation, so I have no obscure sense of guilt for my current success, nor do I need my ego stroked in exchange for a few bucks. Furthermore, I don't like the concept of hidden costs, whether they be the new tip du jour or the latest extortionate energy surcharge, or what have you.

You're certainly welcome to tip whomever as much as you like, but don't presume that this constitutes an equivalent obligation upon me.

[This message has been edited by taucher (edited 09-30-2002).]

Just remembered, when I was at the Rome airport Hilton last year the maids were really nice and brought in a childs crib and made it up for us even though it was not their job (day shift was supposed to have done it apparently). I went to tip them and they refused it, I tried to insist but I could see they were getting offended (being Italian I can understannd why, I guess I forgot that I was not in the US).