Tipping Can be a very puzzling issue for families on a
While we have all heard that if you’re satisfied with the service you
receive in a restaurant, you should be leaving a 15% tip, on the pre-tax
portion of your bill, for your waiter or waitress.
What about all of the
other service industry personnel that you encounter while travelling
with your family?
I know that I’ve heard everything from "Leave nothing because that’s
their job" to "Give everyone along the way between 15 and 20%, depending
on how happy you are with their service". You’ve probably also been told
to give 10% if you’re unsatisfied, 15% if everything was OK, and 20% if
the service was exemplary.
If you’re not satisfied, remember that you are not obligated to leave
a tip; and, in the event that you’re really unhappy, perhaps where
someone has been downright rude, then perhaps you should let the manager
know. Management will probably appreciate your candor, providing that
you were reasonable under the circumstances. It gives them a heads-up on
any potential situation. If someone has gone out of their way to make
your trip easier and happier, their efforts should be rewarded over and
above their basic salary. Don’t forget, everyone likes to be
appreciated, and a smile and a small gratuity can makes a person’s day;
and, again perhaps a word to management telling of the individual’s
exemplary service might be in order.
While there are no hard and fast rules with regard to the exact
amounts to be tipped and to whom, the following can give you an idea of
what might be considered appropriate. Again, go with your heart and
instincts when deciding if a person deserves something more. In other
words, how would you feel if you were in their shoes? Remember to carry
extra change and small bills specifically for tipping while away on
vacation. Here’s how to start:
-
To the taxi driver who
takes you
to the airport -- consider 15%, that is if he went out of
his way to get you there quickly, safely and comfortably;
-
To the train, airport and
hotel porters,
and
hotel bellman -- $1 per bag, $2 if the bag is especially heavy or
awkward. If you don’t want to pay for this service by way of gratuity,
then perhaps consider buying and using luggage
with wheels and/or pulling it yourself.
-
To the hotel concierge, who
may or may not be the one who makes your stay in a specific city a
memorable experience -- You may not have much to do with the hotel
concierge at your place of accommodation, or you may owe much to his
expertise. He may have gotten you a table at a much sought after
restaurant for that special occasion, when you couldn’t. The amount
you wish to tip that individual will naturally depend on what special
services he may have delivered to you. You may also wish to tip for
each individual service or at the end of your stay. A special tip
given upon your arrival may also ensure that the concierge treats you
exceptionally well.
-
To the doorman who hails
your cab or shelters you from the rain by holding an umbrella over
your head as you run for that cab -- $1 may be typical; but, if it’s
rained a lot you may wish to show your appreciation by giving just a
little bit more.
-
To the parking attendant,
who retrieves your car whenever you want it -- $1 to $2;
- To the cloakroom attendant -- again $1 to $2 is appropriate, where
there is no set charge for checking your coat or baggage;
-
To the bartender, especially if this person
has gone out of his/her way to mix you that perfect drink -- 5% is not
unreasonable.
-
To the waiters/waitresses -- 15% is the norm,
and 20% where the individual has given you extraordinary service;
-
To the waitstaff at a buffet -- 10%, but make
sure that a service or gratuity charge hasn’t already been included in
the bill;
-
To the tour guides and charter bus drivers --
you might consider $2 for a full day tour, and anywhere from $5 to $10
for a week long trip;
-
To the hairdresser -- 15%;
-
To the hotel maid -- This
is a job many don’t envy and one that is often overlooked. A good maid
works hard, remaining unseen, while providing a clean room for you and
your family. Anywhere from $1 - $5 per night, depending on the size of
the room, the number of people and realistically, how messy the room
is left;
-
To the delivery person -- Anywhere from $1 to
$5 would be construed as appropriate, depending of course on the size
of the delivery, the distance and their timing. Here again, go
with what you feel: If it's a loaded party sized pizza delivered
5 miles hot and fresh during rush hour you may consider giving a bit
more than for a small pepperoni pizza delivered from the shop two
doors down. The same should be considered in tipping the guy who
spent all day lugging your new furniture from room to room, assembling
it and setting it up, always with a smile. Of course, if you're
unhappy with the service provided, don't feel obligated to give that
person a tip.
-
To those that saw to your needs while on a
cruise -- While there may or may not be a note left in your room
outlining tipping suggestions, a rule of thumb is $3 per day for your
cabin and dining room stewards and $1.50 for the bus boy. Generally,
placing tips in an envelope to be given at the end of the cruise,
rather than on a daily basis, is more convenient.
Depending on where in the world you are travelling, what is
considered appropriate my differ. For example, in Singapore, as in many
other southeast Asian destinations, tipping is a no-no. Many places now
also add an automatic gratuity amount on to the bill. It is, therefore,
important to check before leaving a tip; and, remember, tips are
calculated on the pre-tax portion of the bill only.
These are guidelines only and are in general keeping with your first
class accommodations only. While some families do encounter many of
these personnel on a regular basis, many others do not. It is therefore
important to at least have some ideas on hand as to what to give and
what is appropriate. As you can see, travelling can become expensive and
not just the actual costs and expenses: Tips and gratuities can add up.
It is something to keep in mind. Have a great vacation!
By Stefanie Van Veghel
All Tips are offered as suggestions only
While we have tried to provide you with
a list of suggestions to help parents when travelling with
children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can’t
think of everything and it is the responsibility of
parents to ensure their children’s safety.
|
See the following sections for
specific tips:
For General Travel
Tips Click on
For Travelling
with Teenagers Tips Click on
For Tips on Eating out with
Children Click Below:
For Tips on Taking a Dude Ranch Vacation Click on
For Tips on Enjoying Live Theatre
with Children Click Below:
For Tips on Taking Pictures Click Below:
For Tips on Protecting Your Home Click Below:
For Tips on Using and Purchasing Travel Equipment
for Babies Click Below:
For Motion
Sickness Tips Click on
For Travel Tips - Children with Severe
Allergies Click on
For Car Travel
Tips Click on
For Train Travel Tips
Click on
For All-inclusive
Vacation Tips Click Below:
For Tips on Buying
Toys Click Below:
For Winter - Ski
Holiday Tips Click on
For Games to Play while travelling, Click Below
For Amusement Park
Tips Click Below
For Travel Safety
Tips Click Below
To Return to Travel Tips
Click Below
|