Tipping in USA/Canada
 

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have
and open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

Craig Welch wrote:
Qanset said:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have
and open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

No you don't. Your earlier comments indicate that you have a very
closed mind.

I would like to hear your comments about INVOLUNTARY tipping in USA

But here's' a tip for you. ........ Dont ask for one here.

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

In article ,
Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have
and open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

This is a big subject for debate. Just check this newsgroup's archives
on groups.google.com for what was already said.

Here's the short version ...

Tipping is not a requirement in the USA; however, if you don't tip in
full service restaurants, bars, and buffets, you are screwing the people
who serve your food out of their pay. Unlike where you live, restaurant
workers in the United States depend on tips for their livelihood. These
people are not "expecting free money" from you, they are expecting to be
paid for the work they do far you. Knowing this, I suggest you proceed
with the golden rule, to treat the waitstaff the way you would want to
be treated if the situation was reversed.

If tipping poses a financial problem for you, then you have an easy
option to avoid it. Do not eat at full service restaurants and bars.
Stick with fast food places and take out or buy food at grocery stores
to eat.

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look
elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have
and open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Are you telling us you haven't been able to find the answer to your
question prior to coming to this newsgroup.

The truth is that prices for things such as dining are substantially
cheaper in the US than Europe, for example. Given that, and the recent
escalation of the dollar's decline, you should just consider it part of
the payment. For bad service, I generally leave a few cents, since I
don't want them to think I forgot about tipping. To many people, leaving
no tip means you simply forgot about it. 19 years ago, I had a waitress
call my room at the LAX Marriott and ask if I had forgotten her tip.
I told her the service was very bad. I then called hotel management and
they gave me credit for the cost of the meal.

On the other hand, don't feel pressured to do something you are not
comfortable doing, especially if you have no plans to patronize the
business in the future.

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Tipping in the service industry is fairly common.

In some cases, like for waiters or people who help with baggage, their
wage scales, including legal minimum wages, are lower than for other jobs
in the expectation that they will receive a certain amount of money in
tips. The tax authorities also assume that they will be getting income
from tips and tax them accordingly. Therefore, if they don't get tips,
they will fall short on income, and could concievably be taxed on income
they never received.

Tipping is generally expected for waiters, taxi drivers and bellhops,
with 15 percent considered normal. They say they hope for 20 percent,
expect 10 percent, and get on average 12 percent. Pay what you think the
service was worth, recognizing that it is significant part of their
income, and it is customary.

Tipping is optional for most other groups, such as tour bus drivers,
hotel cleaning staff, a Maitre d' or front desk staff in hotels. The
greater the personal contact and assistance, the greater the expectation
of some sort of a tip.

Obviously, if you never intend to patronize an establishment again, you
can get away without tipping, if your conscience doesn't bother you.

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

The only time I've had retailiation for not tipping was in Vegas. A valet was
****ed that I wouldn't tip him for lift bags out of the trunk at a hotel and
passing them to another valet, so he misdirected one of the bags and it took 30
minutes to "find" it.

--
"Tell me what I should do, Annie."
"Stay. Here. Forever." - Life On Mars

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

"Qanset" wrote in message
u...
The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look
elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have and
open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Frankly, I find it difficult to believe this question. In the United
States and Canada, service personnel derive a significant portion of their
income from tips. Unlike in countries where a service charge is typically
added to a bill (whether for hotel, restaurant, etc.), this is not the case
in the U.S. or Canada. Expect to add about 15% to restaurant and bar tabs,
taxi fares, etc. As for tour guides, maybe USD 5-10 a day depending on how
good they are, etc. It is up to you.

Just plan on tipping and if you're from a country where tipping is not the
norm, enjoy it (and also enjoy the value of your currency as the U.S. dollar
is currently in the crapper. . . .)

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 05:18:27 -0800, mrtravel
wrote:

Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look
elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have
and open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Are you telling us you haven't been able to find the answer to your
question prior to coming to this newsgroup.

The truth is that prices for things such as dining are substantially
cheaper in the US than Europe, for example.

Two reasons are, of course, that

(1) the wages for the wait staff are a very minor part of the
amount charged for a meal, and

(2) there is no included VAT in the charge.

The first item is taken care of by the customer by means of the
tip. Having once worked for tips, I tend to be a bit generous and
tip close to 20% of the listed charge, but 15% is considered a
sort of standard.

Tipping has the advantage that you have a way to exprss your
displeasure with the service by leaving a smaller tip. But do not
leave no tip at all, since it merely makes you appear forgetful.
If extremely displeased leave a five or ten cent piece on the
table; THAT will send a message.

I'm ambivalent about leaving smaller tips for food that
displeased me; it's not the waiter's fault.

The second item is covered by our sneaky sales taxes, an
additional tax on the meal of up to 10% added at the end of the
reckoning, depending on the political jurisdiction (a few states,
but only a few, have no sales tax).

Whatever the advantages or disadvantages of payig wait staff
better and the VAT, they at least make life simpler: in Europe
the cost on the menu will be the final cost.

Given that, and the recent
escalation of the dollar's decline, you should just consider it part of
the payment. For bad service, I generally leave a few cents, since I
don't want them to think I forgot about tipping. To many people, leaving
no tip means you simply forgot about it.

Oops. Sorry.

19 years ago, I had a waitress
call my room at the LAX Marriott and ask if I had forgotten her tip.
I told her the service was very bad. I then called hotel management and
they gave me credit for the cost of the meal.

On the other hand, don't feel pressured to do something you are not
comfortable doing, especially if you have no plans to patronize the
business in the future.

In other words, ignore the local customs. Always good travel
advice, eh?

--
************* DAVE HATUNEN ) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

On Thu, 8 Nov 2007 09:04:32 -0600, "Jeff"
wrote:


"Qanset" wrote in message
. au...
The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Like most tourists we will be traveling on a limited budget,this means
that anybody expecting free money from us will be advised to look
elsewhere.

A colleague of mine who honeymooned in Hawaii was told by a tour bus
operator, that he EXPECTED gratuities for his efforts, because his job
was poorly paid. What more can I say.???

I'm going to cop a lot of flak on this subject, but never mind I have and
open mind on accepting advice on World Travel.

Frankly, I find it difficult to believe this question.

Why? This is an Aussie asking and I see no reason for him to not
need advice on the North American pratice of tipping. Even us
locals get confused sometimes, e.g., at a buffet should I tip the
person who pours me some water or brings my coffee? How much?




--
************* DAVE HATUNEN ) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Tipping in USA/Canada
 

On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:59:26 -0600, James Robinson
mangled uncounted electrons thus:

Qanset wrote:

The wife and I are planning at trip to USA/Canada in the near future.
Is it true that the Yanks are really hung up on tipping, and that
FORGETTING to tip someone is courting disaster???

Tipping in the service industry is fairly common.

In some cases, like for waiters or people who help with baggage, their
wage scales, including legal minimum wages, are lower than for other jobs
in the expectation that they will receive a certain amount of money in
tips. The tax authorities also assume that they will be getting income
from tips and tax them accordingly. Therefore, if they don't get tips,
they will fall short on income, and could concievably be taxed on income
they never received.

Tipping is generally expected for waiters, taxi drivers and bellhops,
with 15 percent considered normal. They say they hope for 20 percent,
expect 10 percent, and get on average 12 percent. Pay what you think the
service was worth, recognizing that it is significant part of their
income, and it is customary.

Tipping is optional for most other groups, such as tour bus drivers,
hotel cleaning staff, a Maitre d' or front desk staff in hotels. The
greater the personal contact and assistance, the greater the expectation
of some sort of a tip.

Obviously, if you never intend to patronize an establishment again, you
can get away without tipping, if your conscience doesn't bother you.

I have a sort-of-related question...

When I've traveled in the US, sometimes I've paid the whole bill
and tip in cash, sometimes paid the whole bill and tip on plastic
and sometimes paid the bill on plastic and left the tip on the
table in cash. Is there a preferred way (preferred, that is, by
the waiting staff)? I sometimes wonder how much the waitress sees
of a tip that goes on the plastic and so through the
establishment's books...

Martin D. Pay
Not sure yet when I'm going back to the US, but it doesn't hurt
to ask now...