Tipping at Disney resorts question

[OurBigTrip]

Ahhh, another tipping thread, even though I have been personally scolded by the moderators more than once, being told "tipping discussions are not allowed." So.......I don't get it.

Anyway, to my point:

Rusty, I know you are clearly some sort of Disney insider and I usually agree with everything you have to say, but as someone who spent years and years in the service industry, I think you are a bit off base here on a couple of points-

1. You encourage tipping 15% at table service for "very good service", buy I can tell you with much certainty that 15% went the way of the dodo bird years ago. Standard is a minimum of 18% unless someone whipped down their pants and peed on your pasta right in front of you....or something equally despicable. It should be 20% or more for exceptional service.

2. $13.82 per hour for the mouse keepers might sound okay to some (not me) but I would simply remind you that people making such a wage are, after taxes, living at the poverty level. Thus, tipping them is something that I will always, always do.

Anyway, that's my two cents, and again, I usually agree with you and love your informative posts.

Really atrocious service will get 10% or less from me. So-so will get 15% and exceptional will get 20%. Truly exceptional, over the top service will get more than 20%, but that's rare.

As for what Mousekeepers make, sorry, but there are plenty of people that I deal with day to day that make the same or less, and no one would think of tipping them, so to me, and this is JMO, why are Mousekeepers special? Having a clean room is part of what I expect when I pay for a hotel at Disney, so I'm not sure why I should be expected to tip them. Their wages are based on supply and demand, not how physically demanding the work is.

As I said earlier, to each his/her own.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Really atrocious service will get 10% or less from me. So-so will get 15% and exceptional will get 20%. Truly exceptional, over the top service will get more than 20%, but that's rare.

As for what Mousekeepers make, sorry, but there are plenty of people that I deal with day to day that make the same or less, and no one would think of tipping them, so to me, and this is JMO, why are Mousekeepers special? Having a clean room is part of what I expect when I pay for a hotel at Disney, so I'm not sure why I should be expected to tip them. Their wages are based on supply and demand, not how physically demanding the work is.

As I said earlier, to each his/her own.

What a sweet Disney-like attitude to have.

 

[Jadeey]

It's a whole new world to me. We don't even have attendants at petrol/gas stations in the UK!
We also rarely need to tip anyone, because the minimum wage is a legal requirement here. We tip when service is very good normally, but don't have a set amount. I find the idea of having rules about this quite fascinating!

Do you all have quite a good head for maths? I'm sure I'd struggle each time to work out the 18% (or more) out because I am so not used to it. Fortunately my husband works it out quickly and easily lol. As it is I feel I should have a list to ring with me of who to tip and how much!
And don't even get me started on tax not being included in prices - I forget each and every time I go to buy anything! Oh I must sound such an idiot, really it's just because this is alien to me, I promise.

Each time one of these threads comes up I feel a little guilty. I'm sure there were people we might have forgotten to tip - but then I think my DH might have covered it without me realising. We didn't tip mousekeeping though But did leave her lots of british chocolates lol Next time I'm pretty sure we will tip.

I have this same problem! I'm from New Zealand and no-one tips here - not even for great service. It really puts me on the backfoot when I travel though, I struggle to know where and when to tip. Actually, I even struggle to know HOW to tip - eg. whether to leave it on the table, slip it in with the bill, hand it directly to the person.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Wow. Just wow. Do you think anyone chooses to be a maid? They are doing what they HAVE to do to survive, not what they CHOOSE to do. Not everyone is born with a sweet little silver spoon on their perfect little mouth. Have some empathy for your fellow human beings on this planet.

I realize not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth - I certainly wasn't. But I'm all for people choosing to spend their money as THEY choose, not as someone else thinks they should spend it. If someone wants to tip the Mousekeepers, more power to them - their money, their choice.

I choose not to because it isn't a personal service, such as handling baggage or serving meals or drinks, and while the wages aren't great, they aren't minimum wage either. By your logic, everyone that makes minimum wage should be tipped. While you're free to do, I think that most people would choose not to.

 

[OurBigTrip]

What a sweet Disney-like attitude to have.

I don't care that you do tip Mousekeeping, why should you care that I don't?

 

[smiths02]

Ahhh, another tipping thread, even though I have been personally scolded by the moderators more than once, being told "tipping discussions are not allowed." So.......I don't get it.

Anyway, to my point:

Rusty, I know you are clearly some sort of Disney insider and I usually agree with everything you have to say, but as someone who spent years and years in the service industry, I think you are a bit off base here on a couple of points-

1. You encourage tipping 15% at table service for "very good service", buy I can tell you with much certainty that 15% went the way of the dodo bird years ago. Standard is a minimum of 18% unless someone whipped down their pants and peed on your pasta right in front of you....or something equally despicable. It should be 20% or more for exceptional service.

2. $13.82 per hour for the mouse keepers might sound okay to some (not me) but I would simply remind you that people making such a wage are, after taxes, living at the poverty level. Thus, tipping them is something that I will always, always do.

Anyway, that's my two cents, and again, I usually agree with you and love your informative posts.

People who are at the poverty level don't pay income taxes... they usually have enough credits to get money back! And I believe there is no state income tax in FL.

 

[OurBigTrip]

People who are at the poverty level don't pay income taxes... they usually have enough credits to get money back! And I believe there is no state income tax in FL.

Exactly. $13.62/hour isn't poverty level unless you have 5 people in the household, and if that's the case, there will be zero taxes paid, which is as it should be.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Because I consider it really rude, that's why, but you just go on about your life and enjoy yourself. Keyword is "yourself" because I guess that is all that matters.

That's fine - I'm not sure why you are so emotional about it, but whatever floats your boat.

Do you tip everyone that provides you service and makes minimum wage?

 

[anmickey]

I realize not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth - I certainly wasn't. But I'm all for people choosing to spend their money as THEY choose, not as someone else thinks they should spend it. If someone wants to tip the Mousekeepers, more power to them - their money, their choice.

I choose not to because it isn't a personal service, such as handling baggage or serving meals or drinks, and while the wages aren't great, they aren't minimum wage either. By your logic, everyone that makes minimum wage should be tipped. While you're free to do, I think that most people would choose not to.

I totally agree. No silver spoon here, either. LOL. Point is, people SHOULD be able to do what they like with THEIR own money as they see fit. I think its fantastic and very generous of the guest that chooses to tip 5% of her room cost to the maid. Personally, I am not willing to downgrade my family's hotel so I can do the same. I think the point is, as with many things, it is a *PERSONAL* choice. I wish more people would adopt a live and let live attitude.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I realize not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth - I certainly wasn't. But I'm all for people choosing to spend their money as THEY choose, not as someone else thinks they should spend it. If someone wants to tip the Mousekeepers, more power to them - their money, their choice.

I choose not to because it isn't a personal service, such as handling baggage or serving meals or drinks, and while the wages aren't great, they aren't minimum wage either. By your logic, everyone that makes minimum wage should be tipped. While you're free to do, I think that most people would choose not to.

"most people would choose not to" ---You are misinformed, my friend. Read up on this on tripadvisor or elsewhere on the Internet and you will see that you are in the minority.

You are paying thousands of dollars for your vacation and you can't spare a buck a day for the person scrubbing your toilet?

But why do I even bother? You folks who brag on here about how you do not tip and find it an affront to your very being are beyond being convinced that a tip for someone serving you is an appropriate gesture.

Sigh. This is why I over tip. I know such people are out there who think someone CHOSE to be a maid. Yes, they want to be Cinderella without the fairy godmother. That's it. Makes sense. The person scrubbing your toilet and cleaning your child's vomit off the curtains deserves to live at the poverty level and does NOT deserve a single extra penny over their substandard wages.

Way to go!

 

[OurBigTrip]

I totally agree. No silver spoon here, either. LOL. Point is, people SHOULD be able to do what they like with THEIR own money as they see fit. I think its fantastic and very generous of the guest that chooses to tip 5% of her room cost to the maid. Personally, I am not willing to downgrade my family's hotel so I can do the same. I think the point is, as with many things, it is a *PERSONAL* choice. I wish more people would adopt a live and let live attitude.

Exactly, and very well said!

 

[OurBigTrip]

"most people would choose not to" ---You are misinformed, my friend. Read up on this on tripadvisor or elsewhere on the Internet and you will see that you are in the minority.

You are paying thousands of dollars for your vacation and you can't spare a buck a day for the person scrubbing your toilet?

But why do I even bother? You folks who brag on here about how you do not tip and find it an affront to your very being are beyond being convinced that a tip for someone serving you is an appropriate gesture.

Sigh. This is why I over tip. I know such people are out there who think someone CHOSE to be a maid. Yes, they want to be Cinderella without the fairy godmother. That's it. Makes sense. The person scrubbing your toilet and cleaning your child's vomit off the curtains deserves to live at the poverty level and does NOT deserve a single extra penny over their substandard wages.

Way to go!

You obviously didn't read what I posted - I said that most people would not choose to tip all the people they encounter that make minimum wage. And I stand by that. If you choose to do so, more power to you.

Whether you like it or not, whether they want to be maids or not, they are maids. Whether you like it or not, they are paid to make beds, vacuum the floor, and yes, scrub the toilets. It isn't work I would want to do for others, but if that's what I had to do to survive, that's what I would I do. And I would expect to do it for the wages I was being paid. If people wanted to tip me great, if not, so what?

 

[BuddyThomas]

You obviously didn't read what I posted - I said that most people would not choose to tip all the people they encounter that make minimum wage. And I stand by that. If you choose to do so, more power to you.

Whether you like it or not, whether they want to be maids or not, they are maids. Whether you like it or not, they are paid to make beds, vacuum the floor, and yes, scrub the toilets. It isn't work I would want to do for others, but if that's what I had to do to survive, that's what I would I do. And I would expect to do it for the wages I was being paid. If people wanted to tip me great, if not, so what?

Well, the day after you have worked 8 hours cleaning rooms, get back to me and we will talk again. Until then, please feel free to enjoy the last word, because I am done. Engaging with closed minded people without empathy for their fellow human beings is not something I enjoy. Have fun not tipping.

 

[wyurm]

I saw this thread earlier and I have to say I'm really surprised it has lasted this long. Tipping threads are usually a no-no here because they devolve quickly into flame threads like this one seems to be doing. I know the most epic argument my friend and I ever had was about tipping.

There are some areas in this forum that list specific rules on tipping like the concierge club level thread that mentions the Disney rule that concierge CMs can be fired if they accept tips, etc... However, for all other tipping discussion I would have to say it is entirely up to you how much you decide to give and that's all there is to it.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Well, the day after you have worked 8 hours cleaning rooms, get back to me and we will talk again. Until then, please feel free to enjoy the last word, because I am done. Engaging with closed minded people without empathy for their fellow human beings is not something I enjoy. Have fun not tipping.

I don't tip the Mousekeepers, but then again, you'll never see me complaining that a loved had the audacity to die and ruin my vacation plans. Different priorities, I guess.

You have nice night!

 

[BuddyThomas]

I saw this thread earlier and I have to say I'm really surprised it has lasted this long. Tipping threads are usually a no-no here because they devolve quickly into flame threads like this one seems to be doing. I know the most epic argument my friend and I ever had was about tipping.

There are some areas in this forum that list specific rules on tipping like the concierge club level thread that mentions the Disney rule that concierge CMs can be fired if they accept tips, etc... However, for all other tipping discussion I would have to say it is entirely up to you how much you decide to give and that's all there is to it.

Honestly, I do not see flames here. Everyone on these boards seem to behave with at least a modicum of civility as opposed to newsvine or any other threads I could name. This is just an admittedly spirited debate and i don't think anyone here has been disrespectful to any other person, personally. I have nothing against any person on here. We all love Disney, and therefore we all have a bond. But there are always going to be disagreements and this is one of those cases.

 

[AliceIn]

Exactly. $13.62/hour isn't poverty level unless you have 5 people in the household, and if that's the case, there will be zero taxes paid, which is as it should be.

$13.62 equals gross weekly wages of $544.80. After federal taxes, social security and medicare taxes, a single person would take home about $436 per week. The median rent for a one bedroom apartment in Orlando is currently $775-800 per month. After you factor in utilities, transportation, food and clothing, there's not much left for even a single person to live on.

This article talks about the average worker (who also makes in the $13 per hour range) not being able to afford rent in the Orlando and surrounding areas.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...120313_1_metro-areas-renters-fair-market-rent

Whether or not you want to tip housekeeping is your choice. But for the people who think that these folks are doing well for themselves really need to take a good hard look at it.

 

[rosiebean]

I had no idea there was any question whether or not to tip housekeeping when on vacation anywhere, much less at Disney. I've always tipped, with a standard of $1 to $2 per person per night plus a little extra if w'e're extra messy.

I've traveled a lot and with a lot of people due to my past in marketing and sales...and everyone tipped...there was no question, it was just something everyone did. I'm kind of surprised that there's a controversy about giving a few extra bucks to the people who provide what is (IMO) the rather personal service of cleaning out your toilet and cleaning crumbs off your floor. It's not necessarily about what they're paid (in college I waited tables at a high-end place and was def *not* making below minimum wage but was still expected to get tips...and rather generous ones at that). It's not about percentage of room cost (never heard of paying that, just a few bucks for the housekeeper whether it's at a $45 motel or $400+ resort). I have to admit, I'm surprised that there's a question about the matter...at least here in the U.S. I realize that other countries are different in the expectations of tipping.

 

[OurBigTrip]

$13.62 equals gross weekly wages of $544.80. After federal taxes, social security and medicare taxes, a single person would take home about $436 per week. The median rent for a one bedroom apartment in Orlando is currently $775-800 per month. After you factor in utilities, transportation, food and clothing, there's not much left for even a single person to live on.

This article talks about the average worker (who also makes in the $13 per hour range) not being able to afford rent in the Orlando and surrounding areas.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...120313_1_metro-areas-renters-fair-market-rent

Whether or not you want to tip housekeeping is your choice. But for the people who think that these folks are doing well for themselves really need to take a good hard look at it.

I never said they were doing well for themselves, I said they weren't making poverty wages, and they're not.

What no one seems to want to answer is why it is vital to the survival of the Mousekeepers that they be tipped. There are many, many people making much less that serve us in different ways - do you tip all of those people?

As I've said, it makes no difference to me whether or not people tip the Mousekeepers - it's a personal choice. What I do think is ridiculous is the idea that 1) people should be guilted into doing it because the work is hard and 2) that somehow a Mousekeeper that makes more than the kid at McDonalds should be tipped, but the kid at McDonalds shouldn't be.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I don't tip the Mousekeepers, but then again, you'll never see me complaining that a loved had the audacity to die and ruin my vacation plans. Different priorities, I guess.

You have nice night!

Once again, Wow. Just wow. And NOW, the flames.

Off topic, but I must respond:

OurBigTrip, you have NO idea what happened with the "loved one" who died on June. Our vacation had been planned and saved for, for over a year. The "loved one" had been a vegetable for the entire time. In other words, she was GONE over a year ago not to mention she was 96. The fact that she passed 18 hours before our trip was unbelievable. Some might feel the same way. Clearly, not you, because you are too busy thinking about who not to tip so you can keep more dollars to swim in.

In any case, it was tragic and we had the funeral and mourned and obviously cancelled our trip to do so. If we still went on the trip and ignored the death, I could understand your insult, but clearly you lack the emotion of empathy. I made one post about how upset I was that our trip was cancelled and you have been jumping down my throat ever since.

So go on your merry way. Make sure you stiff people at every turn, and enjoy your life. If you have a next one, and i obviously don't know how that works, you will probably be an untipped maid, if karma has anything to do with it.

Goodvibes and all that stuff!!!!!!