Travel Tipping Insight

[kyshel]

sawadeeka!! greetings from Hua Hin Thailand where no one seems to expect a tip--even at the very western Sheraton resort, Niece and I just thanked our concierge/bell captain with 150baht for all his assistance (about $5 US) and he was ecstatic!!!
Off to local floating vineyards today for a tasting and a elephant ride thru the grapes (not stomping them!!)
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, Explore Wines from New Latitude
More from the LL Kempinski auction in 2 days...
Cheers!!

[bonniejoy03]

We just returned from Chile and were quite perplexed as to tipping. Chileans didn't tip much....maybe 10% but typically just rounding up the bill. An American women told us her tipping and we actually tipped a little more than her. We had a VIP family with us and we felt they probably tipped our annual income!!! I just hate to hand an envelope at the front desk or at the end of the trip. What do you tip guides, drivers, etc. Many of the tipping guides don't talk about these people. YIKES! I never feel comfortable with giving....always feel it is too little however, we can't tip everyone!!!

[ngallag]

bonniejoy, I completely agree. Handing someone a tip is always so awkward for me. I admire the people who can do it effortlessly. I was recently in NY and some people were just so casual with it. I'm always the person who can't get the timing right and have to run after the doorman who helped me with my luggage. I also hated having to constantly go to the ATM or down to the lobby to get small bills for tips. Makes me want to book a vacation where tips are not encouraged--any suggestions? Maybe an all-inclusive?

[kapper]

I just read an interesting guide on tipping while traveling (The Ultimate Tipping Guide - FoxNews.com ). It had some good insight and ideas.

Who knew it wasn't best to leave the tip for the housekeeper in your room at the end of your trip? Guess I need to change how I take care of that one.

Any other LL members have insight into this little travel task?

Shy ~

I generally feel as though tipping guide lines and observing what other are doing with regards to gratuities are just nothing more than forms of peer pressure.

When a resort or cruise ship provide me with envelopes in which to deposit money for distribution, I toss them.

I also don't feel as though I have to place money in the palms of every person that crosses my path during vacation. I am generous with those who actually provide extra services or extend above average care.

Beyond that, I see no reason to continually shell out money.

[bonniejoy03]

Boy, so many opinions. It is a difficult subject for me. I hate dishing out a few dollars every few minutes. Our local tv station just reported about cruising and said some cruise lines add $50 per day per person for gratuities! Also, what is your feedback when your rate includes tax and service charge....do you still tip????? There are many properties in the Caribbean that have both fees added to your bill. In my opinion, that is the tip!

[Mountie]

We just returned from Chile and were quite perplexed as to tipping. Chileans didn't tip much....maybe 10% but typically just rounding up the bill. An American women told us her tipping and we actually tipped a little more than her. We had a VIP family with us and we felt they probably tipped our annual income!!! I just hate to hand an envelope at the front desk or at the end of the trip. What do you tip guides, drivers, etc. Many of the tipping guides don't talk about these people. YIKES! I never feel comfortable with giving....always feel it is too little however, we can't tip everyone!!!

bonniejoy03, you had a VIP family with you? You mean like someone else here in the community or some hot shot celebrity type?

[ShiningLight]

The cruise lines which add so much for tips ($50) are generally for the suites-cabins which include butler & other extra services. Too many times in the past such people were stiffed*, and if you read the fine print, you really don't have to do this.

*An uncle by marriage was a prime example, who had plenty of family money, never worked a day in his life, but never tipped.

We understand however, that too often hotels & resorts which add a mandatory resort fee, just use it as a way to collect extra income, so they may say their rate is only $100. a night, when it is really $120. a night. (They learned from the airline luggage fees!)

Too often the service fee added to meal room service is also retained by the property. Thus we always ask the server, if they are getting any of the tacked on fees. Last yr at a LL property in Hawaii, supposedly the tip was included in the package price including breakfast which was half buffet/half service. When asked of two different waitresses, they both replied they did share in this previously collected fee, and thanked us for asking.

It would be better if a general tip/resort fee did include ALL the help, since often they are not paid well - and the person who cooks the food, keeps a pool pump going, waters the lawn, unplugs a toilet, fixes the hot water heater is not in a visible position; but adds to your vacation running smoothly. But often it is just retained by the property. It is tough to know as a visitor, who is on salary, and who is counting on their tips, and who in the US has to report a certain level as income, even if they do not receive it, for whatever reasons.

With taxis, it helps to have an elementary knowledge of the road patterns & routes. Recently in NYC we had a driver who was very adroit at weaving in and out of traffic, knew the one way streets & even lightly traveled streets. He probably actually saved us $$ even with the extra tip he was given. 20 yrs ago in Toronto, I had a driver take me from an outer area after a seminar, in toward the main city - this should have been a nice fare for him. Instead he literally took me the long way around & acted dumb when I finally caught on, and had to tell him what route to follow. NOOO tip for him and I told him why as I exited.
YMMV (Your meter may vary)

[bonniejoy03]

Other than the President of the United States at the Airport (and family)?? Yes, a famous person and family were there for relaxation.

[shygirl724]

OK dish-----who was it?

Shy ~

[ShiningLight]

Other than the President of the United States at the Airport (and family)?? Yes, a famous person and family were there for relaxation.

Bonniejoy-
In reading abt Katie Couric leaving the CBS Evening News they mentioned that she had just come back from vacation. Was it she?