Correct--I have never done it and certainly never experienced any worse room cleaning as a result. I also carry my own bags (in hotels and on/off shuttles) and don't tip for that either.

I don't see why it is such a burden to tip a cab driver. Usually it is a lot easier to just give the extra dollar or so to round up the fare rather than to sit there waiting for the guy to count out your 45 cents in change (or whatever it is).

Lemme see...

Beer in lounge: $5 + $1 tip = $6 each

Beer from minibar: $10 + $0 tip = $10 each

Cost for sticking to your principles? "Priceless."

+1 ^

I hate haemorrhaging dollar bills when in the US too.
Every nincompoop expects at least $1, even if the "service" provided is totally useless. (e.g. guy waving in taxis from a long line of taxis at Vegas casions)

I'm Canadian.

A few years ago I was on vacation at an 'all inclusive' resort in Cuba. Because it was Cuba there weren't any Americans - Just Canadians and Europeans. The Canadians were very popular because they 'greased the wheels' with a few tips here and there, as was our custom. I remember a German being very puzzled as to why the Canadians were getting table service and drinks in glasses (as opposed to plastic cups) as well as top-shelf rum and the best chairs at the pool. When he came over and asked I explained that it was because we had tipped a few staff here and there a few greenbacks.

They asked why I bothered tipping as it was 'all inclusive, no?', to which I replied 'well, there's 'all inclusive' and then there's *all* inclusive'...

Once I gave them some tipping lessons their service improved dramatically too :)

Therein lies the most important point. In the United States, it is local custom to tip. Europeans often seem so keen on foreign travelers respecting THEIR customs, but completely neglect cultural sensitivity while visiting the US. :td:

Now, if you're just endeavoring to only participate in activities which won't require a tip, then that's fine and I commend you for your budget approach to travel. However, don't "not tip" just because you don't think you should have to "because we don't tip in Europe."

I agree; I think the whole culture of tipping is obnoxious, and I also believe people should be paid a living wage. It's also inherently illogical: why do people tip the waiter in a restaurant but not the person at the front desk of a hotel, or the person that serves them in a shop, and so on?

HOWEVER, I do accept that when I'm in the US I need to adapt to US ways, and I also remember that, because of the way the system is structured, a lot of the people who serve me are dependent on tips or gratuities to make their income up to something reasonable. Therefore I do tip, but reluctantly. And I don't tip if the service is poor: that surely defeats the whole purpose anyway.

I visit the states quite often and I really don't like the tipping culture either.

Just because it has become a custom in the US doesn't mean it is a good custom that us visitors should all adapt to.

Yes we expect americans to adapt to our customs, but they're not usually as bad as the ones we are expected to adapt to in the US (for example tipping).

We shouldonly expect people to adapt to customs that are good. (Or are required by law.)

I like New York, but the tipping there makes it uncomfortable. My friend, a new yorker, left a 27% tip for dinner. That ruined the meal for me.

I left some bags at the hotel in the morning before sightseeing and an afternoon flight. As i was walking out the door the bellhop tapped me on the shoulder and said, with hand out I won't be here when you get back'.

So i had to tip him AND the bellhop on duty when I got back.

That's really, really miserable of them.

And the whole tipping thing means two things. One, I'm in no hurry to go back to New York, and two, I'm less likely to tip another person in another circumstance because I get the feeling everyone is out for money money money.

I hate it, for example, when the driver of a hotel shuttle jumps up and takes my bag (sometimes out of my hand) and puts it on the curb. We're talking a 7 kilo piece of hand-luggage. I don't want them to do this.

Tipping for genuine service is one thing, people going through the motions just to get money off you is another.

The above being said I almost always tip housekeeping (the guys that make the beds etc). I rarely come in to contact with them and I feel they don't have the interaction with guests to be able to receive tips.

Perhaps instead of the US government taxing all foreign visitors a USD10 charge for entering the country to promote tourism they should use the money to teach employees how to request tips properly 9when, where and how).

That would do a lot more for tourism than a glossy brochure.

Regards

lme ff

Tipping
 

Here's the thing about tipping - and first, let me say that I get that it's burdensome for people who don't live in the U.S. to come here and make that adjustment.

In most states (except Oregon and Washington, I believe - someone can correct me if I'm wrong), waitstaff make anywhere between $2-4/hour - well below minimum wage. Tipping is assumed to be part of their income, and that factors into food and drink overhead for restaurants and bars. If establishments paid their waitstaff a living wage, a dining experience would become much more costly. Try to think of it that way - you're still spending less when you tip than you would if costs went up to compensate for staff wages.

Utter nonsense !

And welcome to FT jayball ! :D

you are lucky that there were not Americans because if they had tipped better then you would have been puzzled as to why they were getting other perks (and OF COURSE that there are Americans in there.......)

so if you would have asked there woudl have been the

'all inclusive'

the *all* inclusive

and then the brand new and recently established ####****!!all inclusive!!****####

as for respecting the local customs I go for that too

here the common excuse is that cops and traffic police get paid too little, they are very well known for asking for 'paid on the spot' traffic tickets (To foreigners of course)

there, I have just rationalized 'extorsion', if you don't want trouble you pay (or tip :D )

(I just felt that with the kind of day I had I had to stir some extra trouble)

One SMALL flaw in this brilliant cheapskate strategy! :rolleyes:

HI Expresss DO NOT Have minibars nor do they have lounges where they sell alcohol nor do I think alcohol can be consumed in the breakfast area unless the hotel provides it as an Manager's evening drink special and then it is only beer and wine !

Also, if you do not like our practices and customs, don't come and the same goes to all Americans including myself.

I don't go to Europe because I don't want to pay double price for everything and get substandard service.

this is normally said when you run out of valid points.

the same statement is normally used against Americans that don't like things in 'xyz' country.......whether or not the point they are making is valid

FWIW I don't like corporate bailouts so I guess I will have to stay clear of the US :D

how do corporate bailouts affect you personally?

Tipping affects you because you have to PERSONALLY make the decision whether or not it to tip.

nice try but a very weak arguement.

erm, corporate bailouts are taxpayer funded at the end of the day. So they affect everyone paying taxes which I presume includes you too ?

This might vary depending on locale, but my co-worker and I often the breakfast and pool areas at Hamptons as a "lounge" in the evenings. We've never been chased off. Of course, no glass by the pool.