Last edit by: davie355
Tips are not expected in Polaris lounges, but employees are allowed to accept them.
Tipping in Polaris lounge
#241
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So let me get this straight (explain this to a non-american please)
Basic amenities missing from, again, a premium lounge - no tip
Basic amenities present in a premium lounge is what is considered above & beyond - requires a tip?
Whats next? Tips for the person who restocks the muffins?
How about instead of tipping someone who pours a glass of wine in a premium lounge, we tip the amazing people who do the rebookings in a snowstorm and deal with DYKWIAs all day long? Why do those agents not get a tip?
Last edited by rankourabu; Jun 11, 2019 at 10:56 am
#242
Join Date: Sep 2014
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How about...we tip the amazing people who do the rebookings in a snowstorm and deal with DYKWIAs all day long? Why do those agents not get a tip?
Look, we aren't inventing a tipping culture from scratch based on first principles, this thread is a discussion basically of whether Polaris Lounges fall into the pre-existing tipping or non-tipping bucket, not whether those buckets are rational or whether they are a good idea, and as I said it's right on the border.
Not tipping your Polaris Lounge server is acceptable compared to not tipping a restaurant server [in America], and tipping your Polaris Lounge server is more acceptable than tipping your gate agent. Obviously there's a lot of disagreement about where on that spectrum it falls exactly.
#243
Join Date: Mar 2012
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I guess my point was that if the shower suite is fully stocked and well cleaned, I consider that above-average service. If it is less clean or missing items, then it is below average, in terms of the service that went into setting it up.
And I fully agree with threeoh about the Polaris Lounge being right on the line about whether it falls into the "tipping expected" zone of American hospitality culture or not. I am thus not trying to convince anyone else to follow my lead, just adding another few data points on how one FTer handles this gray area.
#244
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Just a reminder of previous reminders
"Tipping"
The subject of tipping while we travel on UA, and particular tipping of bartenders in lounges, is a regular subject. However, it tends to morph into a discussion of the "American culture of tipping." The former is relevant to the UA forum but the latter which tends to quickly dominates a thread is better for other forums, such as Should I tip?
...
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
The subject of tipping while we travel on UA, and particular tipping of bartenders in lounges, is a regular subject. However, it tends to morph into a discussion of the "American culture of tipping." The former is relevant to the UA forum but the latter which tends to quickly dominates a thread is better for other forums, such as Should I tip?
...
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Topic Check
This thread is about tipping at the Polaris Lounge.
Discussion of other situations we encounter in life is not the topic of a thread in the UA forum
The various societal norms around the world is not the topic of a thread in the UA forum
Making personal comments about choices others make is not allowed by FT rules.
And discussion needs to to be civil and collegial -- we don't need to agree but all entitled to express their personal choices without ridicule from others.
To try to get this thread back on a discussion for the UA forum, a number of posts have been removed.
Let's return to the title topic and a discussion within the rules of FT.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
This thread is about tipping at the Polaris Lounge.
Discussion of other situations we encounter in life is not the topic of a thread in the UA forum
The various societal norms around the world is not the topic of a thread in the UA forum
Making personal comments about choices others make is not allowed by FT rules.
And discussion needs to to be civil and collegial -- we don't need to agree but all entitled to express their personal choices without ridicule from others.
To try to get this thread back on a discussion for the UA forum, a number of posts have been removed.
Let's return to the title topic and a discussion within the rules of FT.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
#245
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A shower having soap is above average?
#246
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No. But being well cleaned and having soap is above average - at least in the USA. In a Lufthansa Senator Lounge or an ANA Lounge at NRT, I would have different expectations, but the standards of airport cleanliness are lower across the board in the USA.
#247
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But then I don't think "average" is worth tipping in that situation. I've tipped in UCs and at the Polaris bar. But there's a huge difference between "I did my job and refilled the soap" and "Hey, I remember you. Long time no see. Can I get you a rum and Coke Zero?" (the latter happened in SFO Polaris).
Remembering me and my drink is exceptional service, and I left a tip.
#248
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ouch. clean and soap = above average in the US. That hurts. Honestly, these are just basic expectations which in a Polaris lounge IMO don't deserve a tip.
#249
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I am shocked at the percentage of people tipping in the sit-down dining area....about half of the tables, I'd estimate, with those that are tipping generally leaving $5 per person
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 28, 2019 at 10:01 pm Reason: split post
#250
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#251
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Also, tips were very conspicuously left out in numerous locations on the bar...some even looked planted. This contradicts info in the wiki saying that staff should promptly remove tips from sight. I wouldn’t think that would last long...
p.s. I don’t remember posting on this thread, I’m guessing a mod moved part of one of my other posts here
#252
Join Date: Mar 2012
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I was surprised how many did.
Also, tips were very conspicuously left out in numerous locations on the bar...some even looked planted. This contradicts info in the wiki saying that staff should promptly remove tips from sight. I wouldn’t think that would last long...
p.s. I don’t remember posting on this thread, I’m guessing a mod moved part of one of my other posts here
I'm in the pro-tip camp, and was surprised to read how many people would stiff somebody who served them a multi-course meal.
#253
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I always tip even at the bars in the UCs but definitely at the PL when I ear and order drinks. Maybe it's just me, but I have family in the FBI (Food and Beverage Industry).
#254
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I was surprised how many did.
Also, tips were very conspicuously left out in numerous locations on the bar...some even looked planted. This contradicts info in the wiki saying that staff should promptly remove tips from sight. I wouldn’t think that would last long...
p.s. I don’t remember posting on this thread, I’m guessing a mod moved part of one of my other posts here
I'm in the no-tip camp.
#255
Join Date: May 2010
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My son worked at a place right out of high school as a waiter, where he had to hand in all the tips he received; he wasn't allowed to keep ANY!
The Polaris lounge is an odd place for many reasons. When I first started visiting, I would tip (out of habit) but have since mostly stopped tipping at the bar, and reduced the times I tip for the sit-down meal.