I see no problem with this strategy. The OP isn't, by and large, shafting EE's that work on tips. So this 'crap' really isn't crap to me...it is changing one's lifestyle to save some money and the servers aren't coming out on the short end of the stick.

Its the Marriott concierege lounge, the beer is always free. The owner is not affected.

DMH

When I travel I do purposely avoid situations that are uncomfortable to me even after having tried them a couple of times.
In my part of Europe it is not customary to tip. I usually pay by debit/credit card and here there isn't even a line for a tip. Elsewhere in Europe, tipping is not very common but if I don't know the customs, I always try to remember to find out. After that, the same applies for me in Europe as in the U.S., i.e. tip when it is required but avoid those places when you can.

My understanding is that dheese was at a hotel lounge with complementary drinks, so nobody was getting cheated.

I agree that not tipping where it is expected is not good form, but I don't see the OP suggesting that. The OP is looking for strategies to avoid tipping situations. Are you suggesting that by going to Burger King, the OP is somehow cheating someone out of a tip they deserve?

The srategy is fine except for the minibar thing. As others have mentioned, you will pay more this way than if you just order the drink at the bar and tip. Also, most bars not only frown on outside drinks, they will likely not allow it.

The larger question, however, is why you would want to do this? You are coming to California and foregoing much there is to do here simply because you want things to be more like they are where you live. Why not just stay home?

When I have been in Japan, the prices paid for equivalent quality and amounts of food are considerably higher than in the U.S. I would assume that those prices reflect higher wages paid to employees, so tipping would be considered a "bonus" to those workers. Tips are not "bonuses" to service employees here in the U.S. In those situations where tipping is customary in the U.S., employees are paid minimum wages and rely on tips to ensure reasonable compensation for their work. Whether you feel it is right or wrong, it is the custom and practice. And, having been in Japan several times over the past 20 years, I can say that I appreciate good service when received, but I have not always received better service than here in the U.S.

It's interesting that no matter how often Europeans (and for that matter Asians etc) try to explain why we don't want the tipping culture of USA importing to our countries it seems to be waved off with a merry "what's the problem...."

When I visit USA I tip to the cultural norm (which in my opinion is excessive) so please do the same when you visit other countries. When I visit Asia it is so comfortable; no tips whatsoever, good service

Unfortunately when I hear that "surely it isn't a problem etc etc" it just smacks of a lack of sensitivity to local culture and perhaps a bit of arrogance too thrown in for good measure. Just because it is the norm in USA doesn't necessarily mean that it is superior to how things work elsewhere

nickyboy

Agreed that there's nothing "wrong" with what the OP suggests, but why do it?

Do you really want to eat at Burger King and Panera Bread all the time? Especially when I'm travelling, I like to have at least one nice meal a day. I mean when in the U.S., so just add the 15% or 18%. Just think -- if you're from a Euro-using country, meals in the U.S. must seem pretty cheap nowadays even after you add on the tip.

I was afraid that someone would say this. Thanks for the ultimate suggestion. Since I now got the definite answer I suppose that we can close this thread.

Because the person that brings you a drink is paid a much lower hourly wage than the one cleaning the bathroom, as allowed by US law, since the assumption is that bartenders and wait staff will be additionally compensated with tips.

Not true everywhere, and in California in particular (the subject of the OP). Here, bartenders make minimum wage plus tips. It's a pretty lucrative gig compared to housekeeping.

I'm curious about your reasons for tipping housekeeping at the Hilton and not the Holiday Inn Express.

On another forum elsewhere on T'internet, based on the suggested tipping rate given by several posters a few years ago I calculated the best job in the world was likely to be a luggage porter at JFK. I worked out that a moderately busy porter (and I assume they are) could expect to earn over $100K a year in tips, if people followed the suggestions of tipping.

Good strategy. For restaurants, you can get away with no tipping if you get your own food or it is buffet. So if the HI Express breakfast is buffet style, you are safe.

I wouldn't try to take drinks to the lounge. Standard tip for my area is a buck a drink, and drinks usually run about $5. Seems like a better deal than the minibar, if you want to be in the lounge. I can't think of anywhere public that you can go and have a alcoholic drink without tipping.

Hi, if you asked me you misunderstood my meaning. I tipped housekeeping at the Hilton because I thought that it was required as part of their wage. I've since learned - actually from a thread in the Hilton forum - that tipping housekeeping is not necessary even in the U.S.