advice needed on tipping

[RachaelAitken]

Hi everyone,
This will be our first visit to Orlando and i'm still a little unsure who we tip and who we don't!
We are staying at an off site hotel. Should we leave a tip for the housekeeper and if we do should it be daily or at the end of our stay. What is the usual tip amount,
Would be gratefull for any advice Rachael.

 

[Claddagh]

Hi Rachel,

I know what you mean about tipping, I'm exactly same. It is so confusing knowing who to tip and how much. When you eat at a restaurant the tip is usuall 10 to 15% of the bill, depending on the service. As far as housekeeping goes, it's usually one dollar per day per person in the room.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Claddagh]

Hi Again,

I should say to watch out in restaurants as some of them will automatically add the tip on to the bill!!

 

[Pootle]

I'd say the general rule in the US is expect to tip almost everyone who performs a service for you. Even those on the other side of a counter quite often have a tip box nearby - mind you, this one's crossed the Atlantic since they do this at my nearest Starbucks too

By the way, I'd say that in restaurants 15% to 20% is customary. In the past (in a remote place in California) I've had 15% added onto my bill and I noticed that this was not the case for other customers. I engaged the server in conversation who explained that it was because we were Brits and might not understand! I understood all right

Best tip - keep lots of $1 bills available at all times

 

[catherine]

I would say that in a restaurant a 15% tip is the normal. If the service you receive is really very good, then 20%. If the service is poor, and you don't think that the person deserves a tip, just leave a penny. This way it's clear to the server that you do understand about tipping, but the service was poor!

As far as housekeeping, I would say to leave a tip everday, instead of at the end of your stay. It may not be the same person taking care of your room from day to day.