Tipping Etiquette

[Flitterific]

There have been times we've returned to the room to find our tip waiting for us.....LOL One housekeeper left us change! LOL She took our $5 and left us 5 $1 bills in it's place. We let the front desk know what it was for, added another dollar and made sure she got it the next day.

Wow...the housekeeper definitely deserved the extra $.

I do want to clarify that I don't tip everyone the same. I agree that the amount of tip should be based on service. I will tip more if the service merits it and will tip less if service wasn't good. Basically, if someone does something beyond their call of duty for me, I think they deserve a tip.

 

[TheZue]

I don't think an accident is reason to not tip. Now if they dumped the water in you lap on purpose... or ignore you, disappear for long periods of time, make repeated mistakes or add items to your bill then - don't forego the tip - they may think you forgot - tip 10 or 25 cents. That gets the point across.

And I wholeheartedly agree - ensure you are punishing the right person. If your order gets messed up but the waitperson had it right or it is improperly cooked ask to speak to the chef or manager - don't punish the wait help.

I tip housekeepers $2 to $5 a night depending upon the level of service and price of the hotel. Doormen and valets get $1, bellhops $1 to $2 per bag, drivers get $1 or $2 if they help with bags.

Martin

I can NEVER get the housekeepers to take my tips lol. That idea of telling the front desk is a good idea though.

 

[SarahDISer]

for tipping not being so usual in Australia and New Zealand:
Many of our early settlers would have had no love at all for the British class system and the people who were advantaged by it, so tipping may have implied that you thought you were of a higher social status than the person providing the service.

This is so true! When I tip someone I feel as though I am putting them down. It's like I'm saying "You are beneath me, here is a dollar you peasant".
We don't tip in NZ because our society is very egalitarian and we are uncomfortable with all things that could indicate class distinctions.

The one I find the most hard is tipping a hairdresser or the person who washes your hair. When I used to live in England I would always chicken out, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I don't mind if it is included in the bill, but handing someone who is your equal your spare change like they are a beggar is just too cringe-worthy.

 

[Andona]

Another Aussie here. We've traveled a few times to the USA but I still don't feel I know everything about tipping. So ...

I have no problems with Housekeeping - I just leave it on the pillow in the morning and it's gone by the afternoon.

Similarly we have no problems adding the tip to the bill in restaurants - Australian's do usually tip in a full service restaurant here in OZ ( or at least all my friends/family do?) but it's usually no more than 10% at most. We usually tip betwen 15 and 20% in the USA though.

The ones I find awkward are where you have to hand the money to,say, the baggage handler or the tour guide etc. I've had the feeling that you shouldn't make it to obvious? i.e. just palm the bills and hand them over quickly and quietly without saying anything? Or is that wrong? Should you just give them the money and say "here's your tip, thanks!"

I'd appreciate some guidance here from the experts

Andona

 

[aussiegirls]

SarahDISer, you have worded it so well, that is exactly what I was thinking but couldn't put it into words as well as you have.

It almost seems as though you are somehow assumed to be rich, or at least richer than the person you are tipping, well it feels like it anyway! It is entirely possible that some of these people getting tipped earn more money than those that are doing the tipping.

I suppose, now that I think about it, one of the things I love about Australia is that you work hard and get paid accordingly at the end of the week, every week.

xxx

 

[pixiewings71]

Another Aussie here. We've traveled a few times to the USA but I still don't feel I know everything about tipping. So ...

I have no problems with Housekeeping - I just leave it on the pillow in the morning and it's gone by the afternoon.

Similarly we have no problems adding the tip to the bill in restaurants - Australian's do usually tip in a full service restaurant here in OZ ( or at least all my friends/family do?) but it's usually no more than 10% at most. We usually tip betwen 15 and 20% in the USA though.

The ones I find awkward are where you have to hand the money to,say, the baggage handler or the tour guide etc. I've had the feeling that you shouldn't make it to obvious? i.e. just palm the bills and hand them over quickly and quietly without saying anything? Or is that wrong? Should you just give them the money and say "here's your tip, thanks!"

I'd appreciate some guidance here from the experts

Andona

If I'm handing someone cash I have it folded in my hand, I then make eye contact, say "Thank You for your help" and shake their hand, the money is in my other hand and after the handshake I pass them the cash, nothing on sly, I just hand it over with a smile.

 

[Chris420]

Coming from someone who has worked for tips for years, it is very ingrained in your server or whatever job your tipping that they need to do a good job to earn they're tips. I am always overly polite and do what I can make the customer as happy as I can because I know thats what ensures me getting paid, I also over tipp when I eat out and recieve good service and have stiffed people for recieving extremely bad service and dont feel the slightlest bit guilty for doing so.

Now tipping being considered a guarenteed income is another story. Alot of places that do this are not tracked, tipping is under the table in alot of company's which allows the employer to get away things I think they personally shouldn't. I've had employers take from tips to fix register or safe shortages(neither of which are accessable to wait staff) and have been stiffed on being tipped while leaving jobs, Both of these things im pretty sure are illegal but simply not worth the hassle of fighting. I would love to see tipping done away with as an "income" and used as reward for good service for these reasons as well as many others that just make more sense, but saddly thats just not the way things are here and I dont see them changing anytime soon.

 

[mlenz]

I can NEVER get the housekeepers to take my tips lol. That idea of telling the front desk is a good idea though.

That is a good Idea, I usually leave a note saying thank-you for their hardwork and leave the tip right on top

 

[TheZue]

That is a good Idea, I usually leave a note saying thank-you for their hardwork and leave the tip right on top

I've done that and it was still there...It even said "HOUSEKEEPING" right on the top Maybe it was a Best Western issue...we'll see in a month lol.

 

[queenie82]

I always find these discussions interesting

One thing I want to say is that while I do go to the trouble of TRYING to figure out this system...I think it is also a 2 way street.

You guys have to understand that I may well forget but it doesn't mean I'm stiffing you on purpose......so please don't then treat me badly if I come in again...

The idea that a bar tender would ignore you or treat you badly because you forgot one time I think is inconsiderate and downright rude....and unlikely to garner a tip ever again. If you are courteous and provide good service the second time I am likely to feel even better and more likely to remember to tip and want to tip.

YOU guys need to understand that people from Australia and NZ don't tip and it does feel very awkward tipping because it feels egalitarian.


I'm not meaning to rant...but I just think it is a 2 way street...

 

[fairycat]

I want to say clearly not everyone is aware how different tipping is around the world so some people will not understand why you "stiffed" them. I think it's why people who work in tourist areas should learn about the customers they serve and their cultures.


I also want to add that as much as many hate the system and trust me many who work in the system hate it too, it is how any make a living. Also besides lower wages, the goverment also taxes you on the assumption you made at least a certain amount based on your sales. I know some servers who after having large groups who stiffed them or under tipped, not even because of something they did, they left for the night oweing money in taxes. This is why I always let management know if I am not tipping anything (I have only done this twice). That way it is clear why you left nothing and will hopefully help future service.

Btw we realised rather late in our first trip to England we were so over tipping but no one complained haha!

 

[pixiewings71]

I agree with Fairy Cat, I honestly feel that if someone is visiting another country they need to try to learn the "basics" of how things work. So please, if you're visiting from Oz, please try to remember to tip when it's warranted.

 

[CinderALLIE]

Another Aussie here.
I agree with most here tip for Good Service and not cuz it's expected. I always tip Mousekeeping, I don't care how much money they earn, if I'm at the Happiest Place On Earth and they are in the hotel room cleaning up after me then they deserve extra (that being said, I'm not messy and only get them to tidy up every couple of days).
I don't do the thing on TV & Movies where people shake hands and the moneys been excanged, never tried it. I'm more open with my tip, have the cash in my hand and just go "Here You Go, Thanks".

 

[queenie82]

So what is the best way to tip at a restaurant...
We have very rarely eaten out in the US as we go to the supermarket.
We have eaten at Dennys though.
We always use a CC in a table service place.
There is usually that "suggested tip" space...but then you also see people leave money on the table. Is this only when you pay cash though???
Could you completely cross out suggested tip and just leave it on the table?
I know we usually just look at the suggestion space and modify accordingly (especially when our plates of food were nearly thrown at us)


I do plan very much to tip as required and reward good service. This is why I always read these kinds of threads and try and get a happy balance. But if I forget it probably isn't on purpose.

 

[Andona]

I honestly feel that if someone is visiting another country they need to try to learn the "basics" of how things work. So please, if you're visiting from Oz, please try to remember to tip when it's warranted.

Absolutely agree "When in Rome etc etc...."

On our first trip to the USA we checked up on tipping customs and have, I think, always been reasonably generous with tips . DH would HATE to be thought a scrooge..if there is any doubt he tends to overtip. I remember a taxi driver in Las Vegas who suddenly became MUCH friendlier after DH tipped him.

I think you'll find that a lot of Aussies do want to 'do the right thing" when they travel and do tip.

What I find sad ( offensive?) is the case, posted wayyyyy back (or maybe I read it on another board?) where an Australian had the service charge automatically added to their bill ( but not the bill of their American friends) because the waiter had heard their accent!! I don't like anyone making assumptions of my behavior just because they had, in the past, had some Aussie customers that didn't tip. Please don't tar us all with the same brush is all I ask

I'm sure there are cheapo Americans/Canadians/Brits etc that don't tip much or avoid it if they can. Just as there are generous Aussies who naturally assume that tipping is part of the costs of the trip and do their best to do the right thing while traveling.

Andona

 

[fairycat]

So what is the best way to tip at a restaurant...
We have very rarely eaten out in the US as we go to the supermarket.
We have eaten at Dennys though.
We always use a CC in a table service place.
There is usually that "suggested tip" space...but then you also see people leave money on the table. Is this only when you pay cash though???
Could you completely cross out suggested tip and just leave it on the table?
I know we usually just look at the suggestion space and modify accordingly (especially when our plates of food were nearly thrown at us)


I do plan very much to tip as required and reward good service. This is why I always read these kinds of threads and try and get a happy balance. But if I forget it probably isn't on purpose.

Yes you can cross out the tip amount and write whatever amount you like, including zero, if you want to leave cash or whatever. The only time you have a "set" amount is if you have a large group (some places have a 15%-18% preset tip for groups usually over 8).

 

[Kiwianna]

when we visit another's home or country and I am sure we all forgive or are forgiven if we don't always get everything quite right down to the last dot of the i or cross of the t.
DH well remembers the day when he gave a generous tip AND did the work himself when a diminutive young woman came to collect our luggage at a
safari lodge in Tanzania. After some discussion, they agreed on the price he would pay her if she would allow him to carry his own suitcase!