I generally keep and leave my room pretty neat every day. Sometimes, I'll leave a couple of bucks, depending if I have singles on me. The other weekend in Vegas after a bachelor party in my room, however, was a different story. I had no problem leaving housekeeping a 10 spot... For me, it depends on how much clean up they have to do.

(edited by DaDOK)

I agree that 15% is standard and one tips more or less according to the level of service. But I took Rover's comment differently -- meaning that he doesn't believe in tipping, and the fact that waitstaff do not make a minimum wage is not his concern. That comment is what I was referring to -- if I misunderstood, than I am sorry. Otherwise, I stand by my earlier comment.

RE: tipping on the way out in the US -- not in my experience. 'Twould that it were true. It would be a lot easier all the way around.

I think that it is remarkable that so many people put so much emotional effort into this subject. Whether or not one should tip, and just how much this should be, seems to be the source of almost never ending debate, and sometimes vitriol. One would have thought the comments would have been...'I give so much in this situation'...' In Australia, we usually give so much'.... 'We never tip in Patagonia'... and so on. Some people seem to base their philosophy of life on tipping practise. Curious.

I don't see how anyone should be obliged to subsidize someone else's lifestyle. If someone chooses to be a waiter, that's their choice. It's as simple as that.


As to the tipping backlash, I never tip at places such as coffee places, pizza-by-the-slice walk-ups, street food, etc., anymore. I just can't see the justification for it.

wow - this is a long thread!

here's a tip -

do what you feel is right! i personally hate tipping the pizza delivery guy because they add a 1.50 delivery fee into it & the guy makes a rack-load. My current roommate delivers food - makes about 100 bucks a night on a full shift - his company delivers food from about 30 or so restaurants in Arlington, VA, and they charge a 5.00 delivery fee & people still tip him on top of that! That shocks the hell out of me.

I personally prefer not to tip above 10-15% but if the service is good, then I'll give 20 or if there are a lot of us eating & it's good service or if there are separate checks, I'll give 20-25% (especially when the server brings free drinks or doesn't charge for them). But I really hate the "A gratuity of 18% will be added to the bill automatically for parties of 6 or more" that's at some places. It makes me give only an 18% tip when it could have been more & it just annoys me. I have been a waiter at several restaurants & I've gotten the 25 cent tips before (worked the "geriatric" AM shift at Friendly's on the weekends in highschool) & i've also gotten the 20.00 tips on a 60.00 dinner. But I do think that the expected 20% is too much if the service is mediocre - if a waiter doesn't like what he/she makes, get a new job there isn't anyone holding you back. As far as housekeepers go, if they really do a good job of cleaning, then yeah, maybe 2/day is fine - but if all they are doing is picking up my towels (which some chains don't do any more to save water) & emptying my trash, then no tip - if i've left a room in an utter mess (which i don't do - i've worked in a hotel so i have more respect than that) then maybe i would leave a few bucks - but for a stay that's less than a week with standard service, no tips...

wow, something like that really surprises me. 15% for BAD service ? Why on earth would I reward bad service ?

If service is truly bad I will a) let them know and b) tip accordingly i.e. I'd leave 60$ if the bill was $59.95.

I am not necessarily picky, but if service is truly bad/rude..etc..I will 100% let them know about and clearly state my displeasure.


[This message has been edited by JohnG (edited 08-15-2003).]

I have a different question on tipping, not strictly travel-related, alhough it could be ---

For the past year of so, I have been getting regular massages. Initially, the massage therapist worked out of a tanning salon (I assume he rented space there). The salon would take care of the charges, and they accepted credit, check, or cash. I usually tipped $10 for a $65 session (15%).

About 2 months ago, he said he was scaling back his time at the tanning salon and was doing more work out of his home. No probem -- he has a very professional setup there. BUT, now he accepts only cash or (get this) checks made out to 'cash'. Of course, I think he is now taking the money and not declaring it for taxes.

So, my question is: would you still tip? And if so, the same as befoe?

Thanks

------------------
Da DOK

(1)I live in the NYC area, and a usual "rule of thumb" is to tip double the sales tax for restuarant tips. I have seen the sales tax steadly rise (do sales taxes ever go down?) to the now nearly 9%. It is still easier to leave the double tax (about 18%) than computing 15% exactly.
(2) I eat in a fair number of buffets [the waiter may bring a drink at the end of the meal and remove used plates]; should he be entitled to the full 15%+ tip? I usually leave only 10% in buffets.
(3) Some buffets, have special stations: omelets made to order; pancake and/or waffle people, Mongolian, Chineese, Mexican etc.--I've seen people leave $1 tips at each of these...
(4) In Las Vegas (a very touristy place), there are various magazines describing what to do there. These have an area devoted to tipping--it is a long document! If one followed their suggestions, a 3 day stay could put a big dent in a vaction budget. Some examples: shuttle bus drivers (as opposed to taxi drivers), bell desk people, chamber maids, casino dealers, waiters, maiter d's at restaurants, maiter d's who seat you at shows, ushers at shows, cocktail waitresses, bar tenders, valet parking at hotels, restuarant and room service...this list is just a starting point. There are suggested amounts for each.
I stayed at the Bellagio hotel in Vegas. In addition to (day) chamber maids, they have "turn down" service in the evening--if one were the "tipping kind", BOTH day and night people should be tipped also.
(5) I've seen discussions in usenet groups devoted to Las Vegas vacations re the "$20 trick"--leaving a tip of $20 with the person who checks you in at the hotel on arrival, may secure an upgraded room.