New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Jun 27th 2007, 4:28 am
#46
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,176
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
You know, I never would have done it before, but now that my husband's in the business, I WILL tip movers. They have to handle far higher weights than are legally allowed in the EU, with little in the way of equipment to help out. They are typically paid on commission, which means that if you have circumstances that delay them (eg things that go upstairs, or require complicated reassembly etc) then they will either have to hurry (in which case they may make mistakes) or get less per hour. If you and your spouse can lend a hand, I would.... this is effectively a tip if it makes things go more quickly.
Jun 27th 2007, 4:31 am
#47
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,176
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Jun 27th 2007, 4:48 am
#48
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,750
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
I'll tip anyone if the service is exceptional and nothing if its crappy. 15% is usually the max.
Jun 27th 2007, 6:28 am
#49
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Has anyone noticed the change in room service charges?
It used to be a basic charge of around $3-4 per delivery, plus around 20% of the cost of the meal, PLUS they would leave a blank line marked gratuity on the bill.
Recently I've noticed the blank line marked gratuity has disappeared. Does that mean they no longer expect a gratuity, or is it just because too many guests complained.
I feel sorry for the guys/gals who have to do room service, so don't mind giving extra, but should I give them cash to make sure they get it? (which would be tricky because I can only put so much miscellaneous cash for tips etc on my expenses...)
Also, I'm never sure whether to tip the bell captain who gets me a taxi every time or only if he helps with bags.
It used to be a basic charge of around $3-4 per delivery, plus around 20% of the cost of the meal, PLUS they would leave a blank line marked gratuity on the bill.
Recently I've noticed the blank line marked gratuity has disappeared. Does that mean they no longer expect a gratuity, or is it just because too many guests complained.
I feel sorry for the guys/gals who have to do room service, so don't mind giving extra, but should I give them cash to make sure they get it? (which would be tricky because I can only put so much miscellaneous cash for tips etc on my expenses...)
Also, I'm never sure whether to tip the bell captain who gets me a taxi every time or only if he helps with bags.
Jun 27th 2007, 6:37 am
#50
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Jun 27th 2007, 9:06 am
#52
British New Yorker
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Manhattan, New York
Posts: 620
Jun 27th 2007, 11:52 am
#53
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,442
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Dont bother........paid in local taxes (or rent)
Use the self-serve lane (do recal the price being higher in the service lanes........but that was years ago........)
A buck or two per drink or round..........depending. I usually still don't tip the bar.
PS: When at a restaurant, just double the tax and leave that. This is, btw, one of the toughest ones to get used to........
Jun 27th 2007, 1:31 pm
#54
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,105
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Jun 28th 2007, 5:12 am
#57
British New Yorker
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Manhattan, New York
Posts: 620
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
Our postmen don't want cookies, they want cash. Everyone I know in NY gives the mailman at least $20 (I gave mine the Paul McCartney DVD of the the Russian concert this year as well, he is a big fan)
I tip the cable guy, Vonage guy, anyone who does anything in my apartment. Plus we all tip the super of the building.
Jun 28th 2007, 6:05 am
#59
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
We never see our mailman, we have a kiosk-style community mailbox that services oh, a couple hundred homes.
Jun 28th 2007, 6:20 am
#60
Former Floridian
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Back where I belong
Posts: 574
Re: New to the US and I'm rubbish at tipping!
When I lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I really offended the lady who washed my hair at the hairdressers. She had long, false, claw-like nails, and she hurt when she washed my hair anyway, but I honestly didn't know I was supposed to tip her. The hairdresser always got a tip from me, though.
Anyway, after going to this place a couple of times, the hair-washer hovered over me for a few seconds after she was done, I thanked her, and went over to the chair to get my hair cut. She walked off in a real huff and shouted something along the lines of, "I'm not providing a free service". The place was full, I felt quite embarrassed, and if I'm honest, I wanted to tell her to go f**k herself, as it was never a pleasant experience anyway.
I refused to go back there after that, and I hope she got fired or at least yelled at for causing the loss of a customer. If I'd known I was meant to tip her, I would have.
Anyway, after going to this place a couple of times, the hair-washer hovered over me for a few seconds after she was done, I thanked her, and went over to the chair to get my hair cut. She walked off in a real huff and shouted something along the lines of, "I'm not providing a free service". The place was full, I felt quite embarrassed, and if I'm honest, I wanted to tell her to go f**k herself, as it was never a pleasant experience anyway.
I refused to go back there after that, and I hope she got fired or at least yelled at for causing the loss of a customer. If I'd known I was meant to tip her, I would have.
