The Tipping Thread

Being of English birth (though more so perhaps of Scottish Presbyterian upbringing) I do tend to have a rather embarrassed attitude to tipping.

Yet having spent my student days working in various cocktail bars and hotel restaurants in London, Reunion Island and Leamington Spa I’ve also developed a kind of tipping schizophrenia.

In a bar I always give £1 (or equivalent) per round, except in more European countries where I’d tend to buy the barman a drink (c’est pour moi) until the return of a free round if offered. (Though I would never tip in a pub… even my local where the staff serve me most nights and carry me home on the odd ocassion).

In restaurants it’s a minimum 10% gratuity I offer, unless the service truly is terrible, and this will always be above any ‘Service Charge’ added. I’ve been known (where the bill is split between a group of diners without Gratuity added) to leave the FULL gratuity amount subtly as I leave the table.

But I hate other tipping situations… and have real difficulty knowing when/ how much to tip.

So, thought it perhaps useful to ask you lot… should I tip, and if so how much should I tip, in the following occasions.

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room.
2. Hotel Doormen.
3. Maids in hotel rooms… and how should this tip be left… with a note?
4. A gentlemen’s barber.

[Pete]

Originally posted by V-Ben

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room.
2. Hotel Doormen.
3. Maids in hotel roomsÉ and how should this tip be leftÉ with a note?
4. A gentlemenÕs barber.

1. A dollar per bag
2. A buck or two, depending on how they helped
3. A couple of dollars per day of stay. I don't normally leave a note.
4. Five quid

Hi V-Ben

My general behaviour:

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room - only on holiday -about 2 x the local currency - e.g. 2 euros, 2 dollars, 2 GBP. On business I usually only have a rolling case and take this myself.

2. Hotel Doormen - nil, ziltch, nada

3. Maids in hotel roomsÉ and how should this tip be leftÉ with a note? Again - on holiday yes, about a few dollars a day or 1 GBP a day, on business - nothing

4. A gentlemenÕs barber - couldn't possibly comment - but I tip my hairdresser at around 10%.

One of the other things that troubles me now a bit is room service - once upon a time I would have tipped but now "tray charges" are all pervasive (and in some places about £7.50!) I've stopped.

Regards
Pat

Originally posted by patjohnson
on holiday yes

on business - nothing

"tray charges" pervasive

Regards
Pat

I actually think I tip more on business trips than holidays.

Room service really does annoy me too though. I'm more than happy to be generous when room service arrives promptly and courteously... but some hotels really do make the most rediculous 'Tray Service' charges.

The Intercontinental Hong Kong (Used to be the Four Seasons) has a 'No Tipping' policy for Room Service and Butler Services.. about the only place my tip has ever been refused.

The Shangri-la in Hong Kong had one particular Bell Hop that was desperate to show me absolutely EVERY feature of the room until I told him I had ZERO local currency on me.

[RichardMannion]

Hi Ben,

Interesting topic and I'd say it is a very personal thing. Having spent countless times travelling outside the UK, I've become a little bit more accustomed to tippign than your typical British tourist who sometimes an International embarrasment when it comes to tipping.

There are various guides out there on what you should tip, for me its my intuition and what I feel is appropiate at the time. If you have a look through some of the previosu threads there have been questions about tipping in the CH for example.

For food, depends where I am and the amount involved. It is at least 10% and often rounded up to a friendly number to balance the bill out. So a $65 bill is likely to go to $75. At other times, I've stopped off for a light lunch and the tip amount would have been a couple of dollars, which is pants for great service so I'll leave what is appropiate, maybe $5's or more. Have left 100% tip before for exceptional service. I find that American service lends better, as they realise to get a good tip you have to provide good service. Uk seems to be that they expect you to leave a tip.

What I don't like is forced tipping - I've many a time argued the definition of gratuity and discretionary with some tosser waiter:

In a trendy hotel bar in Seattle, I got a round of drinks in and the cheeky bar man asked if he wanted me to work the tip out. Less than enthused when I told him I'll be fine as I can add zero on my own.

THe whole, we will automatically add X% tip for parties of x or more. Annoys me, especially when the service has been slow or crap, and I will cut it down or remove it compeltely if they argue the toss. But then if they deliver the expected level of service, happy to leave it as I would have anyway.

Toilet attendants - sorry, I am quite capable of turnign on a tap and getting my own towel. You want me to tip you for that? Not a chance.

For your examples:

1. Depends on # of bags, and friendliness. Maybe couple of $'s per bag.
2. See Toilet Attendants. Unless they are helping with a taxi and loading bags then see #1.
3. Mmm, tough one. Varies
4. Can't comment, haven't paid for a hiarcut in 4+ years. Always done in the CH. But then have left tips before for the staff, from a few pound to a fiver.

Thanks,
Richard

EDIT:

And oh yes, how could I forget the room service charade. So let me think, I'm paying you x amount of $'s per night, and I'm being bone idle. So I'll look through the over-priced room service menu, and then drop it on the floor when I see the obscenely high enforced tip, and a delivery charge. Not that I have an option, you won't let me collect it from the kitchen. So tend not to do room service, as your defacto room service burger can often work out north of $20.

I'm less well travelled, but tend to see 'tipping' as a different entity in UK vs USA. Here in the UK, I see it as a tip for excellent service, or some other personal attention that is a bit beyond the expected or paid for service. Whereas I realise that tipping in the USA is a different kettle of fish, and rather than get annoyed about what is in effect compulsory tipping, I just see it as a form of VAT, or tax, and consider 10% of whatever just a tax. And so if the service is excellent or above and beyond, I will tip more than that.

I realise that's a bit naive, and I would happily argue why tipping should only be for really excellent service, but the stress of going around the US begrudging every tip isn't worth it, so I just consider it a local tax and forget about it.

Actual amounts.. yes, the same as posts above.

A very interesting thread. It never occured to me to tip maids in hotels (unless they have brought me extra towels etc).

One thing Brits really dont know about is that you can tip your croupier when gambling outside the UK. Tipping is illegal in UK casinos but dont be afraid to show your appreciation when elsewhere (Guess what I used to do for a living).

I think its really a British thing to find tipping a tad confusing.
If anything I think I over compensate sometimes... i hate being with mates that don't tip.

Its also a REALLY British inverted snobbery thing to be worried that the bell hop might be looking down at you because you don't have local currency (i mean, seriously I've paid £XXX to stay here, grrrr)

Maybe I've just watched Pretty Women too many times! LOL

I'm also guilty of being the Extravagent Public Tipper. Especially when travelling with clients on business.

And finally I am the stupid drunk tipper. I tried to tip £400 in 'From Dusk to Dawn' once in Lang Kwai Fong. Thank god the barmaid took pity on my and only put through £40!

Originally posted by V-Ben

And finally I am the stupid drunk tipper. I tried to tip £400 in 'From Dusk to Dawn' once in Lang Kwai Fong. Thank god the barmaid took pity on my and only put through £40!

Never quite managed that level but have often, when a light ale or two takes hold, tipped when a "compulsory" service charge has already been added. [B)].

Never tipped a maid in a hotel (my ignorance) but have left chocolates and one occasion on holiday a maid had worked her way through £40 worth of my partner's perfume so I think she got her tip in kind.

I do feel guilty about not leaving anything when the service has been cr*p but do give more when the service has been special in one way or another - and it may only be the waitress with a quip or memorably the waiter in the cafe on Venice Beach who clapped my 14 year old on the shoulder and addressed him as "bro'". Made his holiday that did.

Anyone else have the habit I picked up from my father in law of passing the bills in the palm of the hand during a handshake ?

Paul

Good questions V-Ben - it's a minefield out there! No doubt you travel through many countries as I do and get even more confused by different cultural challenges, as I do.

Sometimes in America, if you fart it's expected that you tip - I recently stayed at the Peninsula in Beverly Hills for upwards of $800 per night and find it weird that you're expected to tip the room service, or a porter, but we do! However, let's not forget that even in pricey hotels a lot of the staff are paid poorly and tipping is part of their expectation. On the other hand, hotels that add a delivery and service charge to a room service order, then leave a line blank for a gratuity should, IMO, be closed down.

One thing I found challenging in India recently was whether, and how much, to tip my driver. I did, but had constant concerns about whether my 200 Rupees a day was insulting or generous ... I still don't know because tipping there in many instances is not normal.

EDIT

Oh and one thing I always try to do is leave the tip in cash, not as a credit card addition. In this way, and probably somewhat old fashioned of me, I hope it actually get's to the people intended rather than soaked up in corporate paperwork.

I don't think you should feel guilty about tipping too much - people should be grateful. I also don't think you should feel guilty about tipping too little for shoddy service - it's their fault;)

VS.

When in the USA, I try to get some of the Sacajawea gold dollar coins at the bank. I leave them as a tip, as they are unusual, and usually raise a smile from the server.

I'm generally a rubbish tipper in the UK. In the states on the other hand I always make an effort and Vegas I make even more effort. I guess many Americans have this, albeit correct, notion that Brits don't like to tip so I try to change their pre-conceptions with my actions. That said when some restaurant over there, once they realise I'm from the UK scrawls in big read lettering on the bill SERVICE NOT INCLUDED make me want to tip less.

On the following occasions I generally practice:
1 (Bell Hop) Generally carry my own bags, but if its posh and they do would probably tip a dollar a bag if its in the States. I get my bags carried most in the far east and I havn't tipped there.
2 (Doorman) Only if they've ever got me a taxi, and again only in the US
3 (Maids) Never really have, apart from leaving odd coppers and small coins you don't want to keep, which I then panic looks more insulting that leaving nothing at all...
4 (Barber) Once at christmas at Toni and Guy. Never otherwise...

Good topic!

Dean

[Bazz]

In the US:
1) Tend to tip the minimum, dollar a bag to the bell hop
2) Couple of bucks to the doorman if he unloads our luggage, oh and valet parking attendant usually a couple of bucks on collection.
3) The maid, only if she is helpful beyond what she is paid to do, extra towels, ect., as has been mentioned above.
4) Barber, don't use one my wife does it.
5) Room service, never if there is an extortionate service charge, otherwise two to five bucks up to 10% depending on what we've ordered.

In the UK same quantities but in UK pounds.

Other places, well that depends on local customs but I usually like to leave a tip if I have been looked after.

Always ask if there is a service charge added, if it goes to the staff, if if does and I am happy with the percent charged I will pay it, if it goes to the management I ask for it to be deducted and then tip the server in cash.

I also tend to tip higher to people who may help my visit/stay to be more enjoyable

Originally posted by Bazz

4) Barber, don't use one my wife does it.

That's funny. At the last social Preiffer said your hair looked like your wife had cut it - I had to agree, thinking that she had obviously shaved it in places to discourage other women. ;);)

My tipping:

Bell Hop - I usually tell them to "take their hands off my bags please" - I have managed, on my own, to move them 4000 miles getting to the hotel, so I sure don't need anyone's help now.
Doorman - When someone tips me for holding the door open for them I will gladly tip the next doorman that offers me the same courtesy.
Barber - Depends. If they don't chat too much, give me a cuppa and make me look like George Clooney then they will probably get a fiver. When I end up looking like Ken Dodd then I reckon they should pay me.
Maids - Never. I usually make my own bed (old habits die hard) and am clean in the bathroom - so usually I hang out the "do not disturb" because I don't want someone rooting through my stuff and nicking my moisturiser, cleanser and toner.

1. A dollar a bag. Same for curb side check-in.
2. Hotel doorman, I must admit to not tipping. Valet parking normally receive 2 or 2 dollars.
3. I'm pretty bad here. No tip.
4. A gentlemenÕs barber? I give my wife a guess every time she shaves my head:D I must have been tired writing this. It should have said that I give my wife a kiss, not a guess!!!

Does anyone ever tip in the club houses?

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by sailor99

My tipping:

Bell Hop - I usually tell them to "take their hands off my bags please" - I have managed, on my own, to move them 4000 miles getting to the hotel, so I sure don't need anyone's help now.
Doorman - When someone tips me for holding the door open for them I will gladly tip the next doorman that offers me the same courtesy.
Barber - Depends. If they don't chat too much, give me a cuppa and make me look like George Clooney then they will probably get a fiver. When I end up looking like Ken Dodd then I reckon they should pay me.
Maids - Never. I usually make my own bed (old habits die hard) and am clean in the bathroom - so usually I hang out the "do not disturb" because I don't want someone rooting through my stuff and nicking my moisturiser, cleanser and toner.

In other words - you're a miserable git! [}:)][}:)]

Edited to add:

Ooops! What happened to the rest of the post I wrote? Must have accidentally deleted it when posting [:(!]

Here's my response

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room.

A dollar per bag

2. Hotel Doormen

Nothing

3. Maids in hotel roomsÉ and how should this tip be leftÉ with a note?

Only if they have done something special and I then leave it in an envelope with "For the maid" written on it

4. A gentlemenÕs barber.

Don't use them [:p] I do however tip around Û5 at the hairdresser

[HighFlyer]

This thread has been excellent [y]
There is a real love/hate thing with tipping, makes me recall the scene in Reservior Dogs!

I find i do it more out of expectation, though if i recieve excellent service from someone i will tip extremely well. Similarly, i am perfectly comfortable not leaving a tip if service has been poor or absent, i'll usually ask to speak to a manager and express my dissatisfaction. I have tipped my hairdresser several notes before ... and asked some prat in TGI Friday's to manually remove the 6% (or whatever) from my group bill as the service was completely absent. My dining chum ended the evening with the line "you want a tip? Here's one for you, sort out your staff's attitude"

As for me ...

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room.

Ah, Richard usually does that, otherwise yes, a couple of bills for each bag.

2. Hotel Doormen.

No, have never tipped a doorman before. I kind of see that as a general hotel service

3. Maids in hotel roomsÉ and how should this tip be leftÉ with a note?

i bung my loose change into the hotel ashtray (if there is one!) and leave that for them, IF they have done a good job. Waking me at 9am for 'housekeeping' or 'refil of the mini-bar' results in loss of tips! I dont make my own bed on vacation, rarely at home either, so i appreciate the housekeeping and happily part with a few bucks for the service.

4. A gentlemenÕs barber.

Cant say i use one of those, and i havent been to my real hairdressers for ages as i tend to use the CH. When i do go and see my girl, its usually anywhere from a fiver/tenner upwards, dependant on how long i am there and what i have had done.

Thanks,
Sarah

[mitchja]

Great topic.

It seems I have similar feelings about tipping as Jeremy:

1. The Bell hop that brings the bags to your room.

I always carry my own bags, like Jeremy, I've carried them thus far, another few yards isn't going to kill me.

2. Hotel Doormen.

I dont tip, but I do always make sure I thank them. I dont hold doors open for other people expecting a tip, I do it for others out of courtesy and would just be happy with a thankyou.

3. Maids in hotel roomsÉ and how should this tip be leftÉ with a note

I always make my own bed and I wouldn't dream of leaving a hotel room or bathroom in a messy un-tidy state so therefore, the maid only has to empty the bins and vacuum. If I see a maid during my stay then yes, I'd leave a small tip.

4. A gentlemenÕs barber.

I dont use 'gentlemenÕs barber' as such. Been using the same barbers for years but I have to say I dont tip. I usually pay on plastic anyway.

I'll always tip in restaurants based on the level of service I've received.

I'll quite often tip hotel front desk staff if I've received a good friendly service during check-in & check-out (which is often the case in the US I have to stay), or if I've needed them for anything else during my stay.

(Just remembered about the scary lady at the Croydon Hilton who actually ticked me off for inserting my card into the chip&pin terminal before she was ready for it [:0] - they didn't get a tip when I checked out!!)

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by mitchja

(Just remembered about the scary lady at the Croydon Hilton who actually ticked me off for inserting my card into the chip&pin terminal before she was ready for it [:0] - they didn't get a tip when I checked out!!)

Regards

Yeah how could we forget her! I certainly didn't when Hilton thought it would be wise to send me a survey on my stay at hotel as an HHonors member a week later. I certainly didn't hold back. Credit to Hilton though, they do read them as I had a mail back from the hotel manager a week later to apologise for the behaviour and abysmal treatment of our group of GOld/Diamond VIP's.

Thanks,
Richard

I should add that I do tend to tip more in the US than other parts of the world - it seems that so many people over there, especially in restaurants, need to the tip to make a living wage (or in some joints, to make any wage at all). Still wouldn't tip someone for holding the door open though [ii]

[Neil]

hmmm this is a good topic - because I have no idea of how much I should tip, and as I am quite a shy person, I probably always leave too much, just to keep them happy, and after reading some of your replies that seems to be very true (not to self, tip less)

I find tipping in the US the easiest place to do it, but I don't have any set "tipping rates", I literally tip on how good a service I have received, I do always tip the maids quite well, but detest tipping bar staff, they deal with me for like, 2/3mins max, don't say a word to me, so why would I want to tip them[V]...but maybe thats just because I'm a tight fisted northerner[:?]

Neil:)

I find that tipping generously on arrival at hotels in India does wonders to improve the service you get from all the staff during a stay. Word does seem to spread "below stairs"...

Chris

Originally posted by cshore
I find that tipping generously on arrival at hotels in India

Tipping at the begining (or throughout) a stay is another minefield! LOL

I'll be going to Cuba early next year and alot of the hotel reviews I read people mention tipping Room Maids cash or toiletries (which are scarce in Cuba), especially in the 'All Inclusive' resorts as they then tend to make sure your minibar is well stocked, leave extra fresh fruit etc.

I have no idea whether ou're supposed to leave the tip with a note, or if they just hoover up any change/half opened shampoos you leave around! LOL

Originally posted by sailor99
I should add that I do tend to tip more in the US than other parts of the world - it seems that so many people over there, especially in restaurants, need to the tip to make a living wage (or in some joints, to make any wage at all). Still wouldn't tip someone for holding the door open though [ii]

This is true. I know in most restaurants the waitstaff make a measley $5-6 per hour so they do rely on tips. I usually tip 3-4 times the tax which is much easier to do than figure out a %. I am a hairstylist and get anywhere from about 10-50% of the client bill for my tip. I think if you are in a business that relies on tips you generally tip well yourself providing the service is good of course!