Tipping- Am I an asshole??

[Anonymous]

Just read this article which includes suggested tip amounts for hotel concierge and housekeeping. I've never tipped the concierge or housekeeper! And I've traveled a LOT. Do people typically do this?? I don't think I've seen other travelers do this either... Or am I just an asshole??

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/03/24/how_much_to_give_hotel_staff_the_ultimate_guide_to_tipping.php

[Anonymous]

Well, NY's tipping culture is really out of control, so take that as a grain of salt.

That said, yes to tipping housekeeping -- usually on the first night of a lengthy stay.

I only tip concierge if I use the service. I rarely use the service.

[Anonymous]

If you have to ask....

I don't tip the concierge unless I use the service, but yes, I always tip housekeeping.

[Anonymous]

You don't leave money in your room for housekeeping? I thought everyone did that...

[Anonymous]

I don't either OP. I'm tired of being expected to supplement the wages of someone else's employees for doing their job. I already paid to stay at the hotel. Paying the employees is on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't leave money in your room for housekeeping? I thought everyone did that...

+1

And I tip the bellhop and the valet. I don't think I've ever made arrangements through a concierge, so I've never tipped them.

And no way in hell am I tipping the desk clerk simply for checking me in and out. WTF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't either OP. I'm tired of being expected to supplement the wages of someone else's employees for doing their job. I already paid to stay at the hotel. Paying the employees is on them.

I'm sure the staff at the hotels you stay at are pleased with your principled stand.

[Anonymous]

I usually only tip housekeeping on the last day like if I stayed a week. If its just one night I don't tip.

[Anonymous]

OP, you're not an asshole, but maybe not fully aware of tipping practices. A couple of bucks per day per person is what I was taught to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't either OP. I'm tired of being expected to supplement the wages of someone else's employees for doing their job. I already paid to stay at the hotel. Paying the employees is on them.

I'm sure the staff at the hotels you stay at are pleased with your principled stand.

I don't understand why its my responsibility to pay them. I leave my room much like I found it, not leaving a huge mess for them, but I paid for their service when I paid for my room. What happened to the days when a tip was for exceptional service? I can't remember the last time I got that, but everyone's got their hand out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't either OP. I'm tired of being expected to supplement the wages of someone else's employees for doing their job. I already paid to stay at the hotel. Paying the employees is on them.

I'm sure the staff at the hotels you stay at are pleased with your principled stand.

I don't understand why its my responsibility to pay them. I leave my room much like I found it, not leaving a huge mess for them, but I paid for their service when I paid for my room. What happened to the days when a tip was for exceptional service? I can't remember the last time I got that, but everyone's got their hand out.

Do you take this same approach in restaurants?

[Anonymous]

Nope.

I do NOT tip concierge, mainly because they are there to herd me to preferred activities, which also benefits them in someway.

If I use room-service, I will tip a couple of dollars. I will also check the bill (when I am checking out) to see that they have not added the tip amount.

A couple dollars to the bellhop/valet, if I use them.

I will however not tip housekeeping if I checked into a less than stellar room in the first place, but otherwise I will leave a few dollars on the bed the day I check out. I do not do daily tipping. I also am a neat person and do not make a mess in the room.

[Anonymous]

Surely restaurants are totally different as they rely on tips for their salary.

I am like a PP and only tip if I have my kids with me or am staying for a few nights. I don't tip on a one night stay.

[Anonymous]

People I tip:

Restaurant servers
Bartenders
Food delivery
Hair dresser
Housekeeping
Bellhops if they carry bag
Ballpark vendors, although that's usually just rounding change
Movers

People I do not tip:

Coffee baristas (they make decent money)
Ice cream scoopers (ditto)
Takeout food
Business owners (i.e., photographers, landscapers)
Grocery delivery
Newspaper delivery (I would if it were a kid, but not the adults).
Sanitation workers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People I tip:

Restaurant servers
Bartenders
Food delivery
Hair dresser
Housekeeping
Bellhops if they carry bag
Ballpark vendors, although that's usually just rounding change
Movers

People I do not tip:

Coffee baristas (they make decent money)
Ice cream scoopers (ditto)
Takeout food
Business owners (i.e., photographers, landscapers)
Grocery delivery
Newspaper delivery (I would if it were a kid, but not the adults).
Sanitation workers

I tip all these people. Because who knows, some day I may be in their shoes.

All of them work harder than I do. All of them make less money than me. It seems like the least I can do to tip them in exchange for their hard work. For me, a few bucks a day doesn't make a difference. For some of them, it might. It just seems like good karma to me to tip them.