Tipping in America

Davo wrote:

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:


- Hotels (for cleaning rooms,

Well, you are right that this topic's been done to death, but once again
I am SHOCKED that all of these frequent travelers see no need to leave a
dollar or two for the hotel maid. Geez, if you can afford to travel,
you can certainly afford to leave a small stipend for someone who takes
care of your dirty sheets, scrubs your tub and toilet, etc.

I learned to leave tips for hotel maids from my Dad, who used to do it
every night when we took cross-country trips back in the '60s. I don't
understand people who say "Well the management should pay these people a
living wage blah blah blah". They don't. Get a copy of the book
"Nickeled and Dimed in America",read it, and count your blessings.

"Lester Higgins" wrote in message
nk.net...

"Davo" wrote in message
om...
Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

Speaking strictly for myself.....

- Meals in restaurants
10% to 20% of the total bill (regardless of tax)

15% is the "standard" tip, more or less depending on the service.


No tip for BAD service. BAD service usually rates
a complaint to the Manager as well. Up to 20% for
really GOOD service. And glad to do it.

Agreed.


- Taxis
$2.00 per bag, generally.

Taxis in some cities add on a charge for bags -- I don't do a per-bag tip
when this is the case.


- Hotels (for cleaning rooms, carrying bags etc)
No tip for housekeeping staff.

Um, not where I stay. $1-2/night, depending on the hotel.

$1.00 to $2.00 per bag for shuttle driver, but only
if they lift the bags in and out of the shuttle.

Right. And nothing if they don't. One of my pet peeves.

$2.00 for valet parking. More if I ask them to park
my car away from other cars for safety sake.

Again, depends on the location. Upscale restaurant in a major city -- $3.


- Any other situations relevant to travel (eg. checking luggage at
airports etc)
Curb-side check in...$2.00 per bag to SkyCaps.

That's the "standard" tip. Tip more if the bag is extra heavy or some odd
size.



In Australia tipping is uncommon in everyday life, as people in the
service industries can rely on their wages for a reliable income that
they can live on. The only times most people tip here is when eating
at very flash restaurants, getting excellent service at normal
restaurants, or leaving the change for the taxi. At least that's my
experience. So I'm not used to tipping regularly.

I'd like to do as the locals do regarding tipping while travelling in
the USA, so any suggestions from Americans would be welcome. I'd like
to ensure that those in the service industries I deal with are being
paid adequately for their services (not to mention avoiding ****ing
someone off!).

Any help would be appreciated. PLEASE don't turn this into a big
argument!

Cheers
Dave

"SP Cook" wrote in message
om...
(Davo) wrote in message

Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

- Meals in restaurants

In a table service restaurant, where the waitress takes the order and
later brings the food to you, 10 -20% of the bill. Don't tip for
counter service (McDonald's, etc), or, IMHO, cafeteria service, even
if your main dish is brought by a server. If you are in a group of 6
or more, many restaurants will automatically add a tip in the bill, in
which case, I don't tip any extra.

- Taxis

In big cities, maybe $2-3, in NY even more, for a trip around town.
More for an airport run. Remember that many airports are quite a
distance from town and tightly regulate taxis, so the driver may have
to go the end of a long line before he gets another fare in the
opposite direction. In smaller towns, its OK to just say keep the
change if that works out to be appropriate. Also tip the dispatcher
(at an airport) or doorman (at a hotel) who gets you a cab a $ or 2.

I tip a percentage of the ride, usually 10-20%, rounding up to the nearest
dollar (friendly and helpful drivers get the high-end). I've never heard of
tipping an airport dispatcher, and can't think of any reason to do so -- no
service has been rendered, other than to do their job, which is to make sure
that only licensed cabs are operating, etc. Definitely tip the hotel
doorman.



- Hotels (for cleaning rooms, carrying bags etc)

Some people will leave money behind on the last day of a multi-day
stay for cleaning room staff. I don't, unless I need special
services, like I have had an accident and made a mess or something.
The maid will often be different from day to day anyway. Certainly
don't tip if its just a one day stay or in a motel.

$ per bag, but no more than $5 total is appropriate for bell service,
going and coming.

Normally, I'd agree, but if the service rendered is extraordinary, e.g.
heavy or awkward bags, the bellman brings you ice, etc., more may be
appropriate.

If the hotel operates on the system where a doorman
meets your cab and unloads your bags and gives you a claim check and
you then check in at the counter and check in and then a bellman shows
up with your bags, tip both the doorman and the bellman. Don't tip
the counter people. If you check in before your room is ready, or
check out before you are leaving for the airport, and thus leave your
bags with the doorman and walk around the town a bit, tip for that
service.

I don't tip more than $1 for anything at the Disney-owned hotels
inside the parks in Florida or California, or the casinos in Las Vegas
or Atlantic City, where the employees make very good money
(unionized). It is, however, customary to make a small tip to a
dealer in a casino if you have gained money. One of whatever the
minimum bet for that table is standard.

- Any other situations relevant to travel (eg. checking luggage at
airports etc)

In an airport, coming, some airports will have "red caps" who will
carry your luggage from the baggage pick-up to the taxi stand. These
people generally work on tips alone, so $5 is appropriate. I never
use them. Mostly for the elderly. Likewise tip if you use the
service that shuttles elderly or handicapped people between planes via
wheelchairs or "golf carts".

In the airport, going, some airports have airline employees who will
check your bags at the curb and give you a boarding pass (thus
allowing you to skip the generally long line for the same service
inside). While these guys are unionized and make good money, I tip
anyway, since they can "lose" your bag easily. This service is
generally only available for domestic flights anyway. Never tip the
counter people inside, or any other counter service in an airport,
such as a rental car agent.

If an airport operates on a system where a bus takes you to a rental
car, tip the bus driver, particularly if he loads your bags onto the
bus.

If you take a tour bus (one designed for tourists only, which
generally make a circle tour of a place with the driver or an
assistant point out landmarks, etc) tip both the driver and any
assistant. Don't tip a general city or cross-country bus driver.

If you use the concierge to make reservations, tickets, etc, tip him.
I use a sliding scale. If the tickets are hard to get or I asked for
a sugestion of an event or restaurant, I tip $5. If its just making a
phone call, less than that.

If you go to a restaurant which has valet parking, where you pull up
to the door and an attendant parks your car and then brings it back at
the end, tip a few $$ in both directions (don't just wait to tip at
the end, it might be 2 different people in each transaction.) Same
with a hotel with valet parking.

If you play golf, tip a caddy. This is very varriable from place to
place.

These are just MHO. If other disagree, just post your ideas w/o
flames.

On 4 Oct 2003 07:41:50 -0700 in rec.travel.usa-canada,
(Davo) wrote:

- Meals in restaurants

15% of the tab is normal, higher for very good service

- Taxis
15% for fares over $5, $1 for fares under.

Canadians are unbelievably CHEAP! American help hates them!


"TheNewsGuy(Mike)" wrote in message
...
On 4 Oct 2003 07:41:50 -0700, (Davo) wrote:

know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

I'm Canadian but here is my 1.43 cents

- Meals in restaurants
15% or so on the pretax amount - be careful to note if a service
charge has already been added then no additional is required.

- Taxis
About 15% or round up to the closest whole amount - I would generously
give $10 for a $8 ride.

- Hotels (fcarrying bags etc)

Does anyone cary bags anymore? I would never give some over-uniformed
doorman a cent who shoulders his way past me to lift a suitcase out of
my taxi. Now, if I asked him, and needed the help, that would be
another story. Sorry, general

-Hotels (for cleaning rooms,
Most people don't do this but some do. I started to after my daughter
worked this summer in a local hotel and I heard how hard their job
really is.

I just returned from Washington DC where we left $2 each night for the
hotel maid. She left us a thank you note that said "God bless you"
signed with her name. No waiter ever did that even we leave them many
more times the amount. Nice to see she really appreciated it.








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"SP Cook" schreef in bericht
om...
(Davo) wrote in message

Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

- Meals in restaurants

In a table service restaurant, where the waitress takes the order and
later brings the food to you, 10 -20% of the bill.

15% seems to be the absolute minimum. A few times when I rounded up the bill
to a reasonable sum, (like a $ 61.50 bill and I paid $ 70) the tip came to
14% or so. Every single time I got unfriendly looks and one time a remark
about "cheap Europeans".

Sjoerd

On Sun, 5 Oct 2003 11:53:36 +0200 "Sjoerd" wrote:

:"SP Cook" schreef in bericht
.com...
: (Davo) wrote in message

: Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
: this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
: suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
: subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

: I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
: know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

: - Meals in restaurants

: In a table service restaurant, where the waitress takes the order and
: later brings the food to you, 10 -20% of the bill.

:15% seems to be the absolute minimum. A few times when I rounded up the bill
:to a reasonable sum, (like a $ 61.50 bill and I paid $ 70) the tip came to
:14% or so. Every single time I got unfriendly looks and one time a remark
:about "cheap Europeans".

Considering your attitude to Americans on RTA, one would be surprised if you
didn't get that from everyone.

Perhaps they don't make the comment to your face when you overtip?

--
Binyamin Dissen
http://www.dissensoftware.com

"Binyamin Dissen" schreef in bericht
...
On Sun, 5 Oct 2003 11:53:36 +0200 "Sjoerd"
wrote:

:"SP Cook" schreef in bericht
.com...
: (Davo) wrote in message

: Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads
on
: this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any
useful
: suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
: subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

: I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like
to
: know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

: - Meals in restaurants

: In a table service restaurant, where the waitress takes the order and
: later brings the food to you, 10 -20% of the bill.

:15% seems to be the absolute minimum. A few times when I rounded up the
bill
:to a reasonable sum, (like a $ 61.50 bill and I paid $ 70) the tip came
to
:14% or so. Every single time I got unfriendly looks and one time a
remark
:about "cheap Europeans".

Considering your attitude to Americans on RTA, one would be surprised if
you
didn't get that from everyone.

Well, I have a surprise for you then. I have many American friends and most
Americans I have met are friendly and nice. The difference between them and
you is that they can make a distinction between personal relationships and
political opinions. You apparently can't.

Perhaps they don't make the comment to your face when you overtip?

Perhaps they are not so narrow-minded as you are, Mr. Dissen.

Sjoerd

Well I am Canadian but the N American rule is generally 15% in restaurants
maybe similar in taxis. Probably a $ 1 or @ bag handling or aiport
transport- usually don't tips hotel maids myself.
Unfortunately tipping has become more of a mandatory thing rather than a
reward for good service.
I liked visitng Oz and Kiwiland so I didnt have to think of tipping!

Have a good trip mate

Ian


"Davo" wrote in message
om...
Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

- Meals in restaurants
- Taxis
- Hotels (for cleaning rooms, carrying bags etc)
- Any other situations relevant to travel (eg. checking luggage at
airports etc)

In Australia tipping is uncommon in everyday life, as people in the
service industries can rely on their wages for a reliable income that
they can live on. The only times most people tip here is when eating
at very flash restaurants, getting excellent service at normal
restaurants, or leaving the change for the taxi. At least that's my
experience. So I'm not used to tipping regularly.

I'd like to do as the locals do regarding tipping while travelling in
the USA, so any suggestions from Americans would be welcome. I'd like
to ensure that those in the service industries I deal with are being
paid adequately for their services (not to mention avoiding ****ing
someone off!).

Any help would be appreciated. PLEASE don't turn this into a big
argument!

Cheers
Dave

I use this: http://findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

kate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```
Davo wrote in message
om...
Ok, so this topic's been done to death. I've read the past threads on
this topic and it seems to have turned to flame wars before any useful
suggestions arise. So please, if you wish to reply to this or any
subsequent posts, please stick to the topic. Thanks!

I'm an Australian travelling to the USA next month, and would like to
know specifically what Americans tip for the following:

- Meals in restaurants
- Taxis
- Hotels (for cleaning rooms, carrying bags etc)
- Any other situations relevant to travel (eg. checking luggage at
airports etc)

In Australia tipping is uncommon in everyday life, as people in the
service industries can rely on their wages for a reliable income that
they can live on. The only times most people tip here is when eating
at very flash restaurants, getting excellent service at normal
restaurants, or leaving the change for the taxi. At least that's my
experience. So I'm not used to tipping regularly.

I'd like to do as the locals do regarding tipping while travelling in
the USA, so any suggestions from Americans would be welcome. I'd like
to ensure that those in the service industries I deal with are being
paid adequately for their services (not to mention avoiding ****ing
someone off!).

Any help would be appreciated. PLEASE don't turn this into a big
argument!

Cheers
Dave