Last edit by: davie355
Tips are not expected in Polaris lounges, but employees are allowed to accept them.
Tipping in Polaris lounge
#182
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#183
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Ugh. Makes me like the old NW lounges at MSP and DTW where the bar is self serve. If you feel obligated to leave a tip, just shift a couple $1 bills from your wallet to another pocket.
#184
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Am Canadian, but close enough, and have lived in the US for a long time. I suppose I count as a millenial. I think this thread is insane. I think the concept of tipping in a premium lounge environment is stupid. The whole point of being in a premium/all included service is to avoid BS like this. I think the whole over the top Americanized reality of tipping is stupid (I mean in what other normal day to day customer/worker situation do you pay somebody a discretionary amount after the service is performed), but that's a topic for another thread.
Ugh. Makes me like the old NW lounges at MSP and DTW where the bar is self serve. If you feel obligated to leave a tip, just shift a couple $1 bills from your wallet to another pocket.
Ugh. Makes me like the old NW lounges at MSP and DTW where the bar is self serve. If you feel obligated to leave a tip, just shift a couple $1 bills from your wallet to another pocket.
#185
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Interesting, at least to me, that some folks would think a decent wage in the Bay Area would be $32K per year - or think because it is advertised as non-tipped, then it must be paid well.
Considering minimum wage in SF is $15/hr - I'll step up the tipping for good service.
Considering minimum wage in SF is $15/hr - I'll step up the tipping for good service.
Does that mean I don’t have to tip in IAH?
And EWR... I guess I should ask the waiter if he lives in Jersey or Manhattan before deciding how much to leave him.
#186
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#188
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Interesting, at least to me, that some folks would think a decent wage in the Bay Area would be $32K per year - or think because it is advertised as non-tipped, then it must be paid well.
Considering minimum wage in SF is $15/hr - I'll step up the tipping for good service.
Considering minimum wage in SF is $15/hr - I'll step up the tipping for good service.
#189
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
As another Canadian, if that is at all relevant, my practice is different. I tip if I feel it is deserved, no matter where I am. I always travel with at least 100 $1 USD bills, and dole them out accordingly, where warranted. Recently, in the EWR Polaris lounge, I lunched at its restaurant. My server was deferential and successfully accommodated my tight schedule, going so far as to proactively bring me items she felt would enhance my main selection. I felt my $10 tip was warranted, given the level of service and attention I received. Before leaving, I was approached by the lounge manager who ascertained my satisfaction with the Polaris experience. Of course, my opinion was greatly influenced by the service I had received, but I also critiqued areas I felt required some attention. Long story short: tipping is discretionary and not required. If you feel you've received service above the norm, and can afford it, tip accordingly. If you feel otherwise, don't tip. Guilt is not a trip you need take.
#190
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
@flyme2 makes some excellent points. I'd imagine, even those working in the Polaris lounge can use some extra cash once in a while. Also agree tip jars have no place in a lounge environment; passive aggressive behavior geared towards procuring one, which, in my view, shouldn't even be dignified with a reply, let alone any kind of reward.
#191
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: PHL | EWR
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Posts: 95
After keeping tabs on this thread's varied responses, it has changed this guy's view of tipping in both UC and PL ^
While I will Always tip in a restaurant or bar for great service, I now get that there are many lounge factors that dictate how we really should NOT. But, nobody's gonna stop you from doing it (or not) -- and again, it's *Your* right to decide!
Jay
While I will Always tip in a restaurant or bar for great service, I now get that there are many lounge factors that dictate how we really should NOT. But, nobody's gonna stop you from doing it (or not) -- and again, it's *Your* right to decide!
Jay
#193
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#194
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
I never have tipped at EWR Polaris lounge bar or restaurant but after reading this thread and seeing that some waiters may be expecting a tip, I will probably tip on my next visit. I actually fee a bit bad about it now because on my last visit, my waitress recognized me from having served me several months ago. We talked a bit but didn’t tip because I assumed it wasn’t necessary.
#195
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
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Posts: 2,885
I never have tipped at EWR Polaris lounge bar or restaurant but after reading this thread and seeing that some waiters may be expecting a tip, I will probably tip on my next visit. I actually fee a bit bad about it now because on my last visit, my waitress recognized me from having served me several months ago. We talked a bit but didn’t tip because I assumed it wasn’t necessary.