More thoughts on tipping (in the U.S.)

[DGS49]

I recently returned from a six-day tour of New England (rails and trails). There were several one-off tipping situations that may be of interest.

The big one was tipping the Tour Guide and bus driver. We paid a good amount for the tour, so I believe we can presume that they were paid adequately by the tour company. Accordingly, if they were merely OK, no tip is appropriate, at least in my view. The tour guide was not very good. She did a lot of talking and tried to engage with all (40) of us, but her pitch was just personal stuff, with no particular insights into the places we were touring, which is what one expects on a tour like this.

Interestingly, she turned over her duties to a local guy for a day and a half in one area of New Hampshire, and he was excellent. He gave us historical information about not only the places that we toured, but also the areas where we traveled. She prompted us to give him a separate tip, which we gladly did.

The driver drove. Nothing special. No accidents, and only got lost once. Modest tip.

We dined at a Golden Corral, which is a smorgasbord. Do you tip the table workers? They did an excellent job, coming around regularly taking away the plates, refilling our drinks, and doing minor cleaning tasks. We tipped them about 10% of our implicit bill (it was included in our package price). (I can't trust myself at such a place. I just cannot stop eating).

Interestingly, the tour guide prompted us to tip the table workers at the GOlden Corral, but another night we had a four-course dinner on a train where we actually got good table service, and she didn't mention a tip at all. Did the tour company provide a gratuity? Maybe. We did not tip. Didn't even think of it, frankly.

We spent three nights in a ski resort. When I spend multiple nights at a motel, the "Do Not Disturb" sign goes up as soon as I check in, and doesn't go down until I check out. Do I tip her for one night or three? One cleaning, one night's tip.

Does anybody else give this much thought to tipping?

 

[cnm]

What is 'tipping'?

It doesn't exist here. Thank the gawds for that.

 

[pknopp]

My only thought here is that I suppose it's good you give it all a thought. Many never do. Give it a real thought. If you feel it appropriate, tip.

 

[Concerned American]

I recently returned from a six-day tour of New England (rails and trails). There were several one-off tipping situations that may be of interest.

The big one was tipping the Tour Guide and bus driver. We paid a good amount for the tour, so I believe we can presume that they were paid adequately by the tour company. Accordingly, if they were merely OK, no tip is appropriate, at least in my view. The tour guide was not very good. She did a lot of talking and tried to engage with all (40) of us, but her pitch was just personal stuff, with no particular insights into the places we were touring, which is what one expects on a tour like this.

Interestingly, she turned over her duties to a local guy for a day and a half in one area of New Hampshire, and he was excellent. He gave us historical information about not only the places that we toured, but also the areas where we traveled. She prompted us to give him a separate tip, which we gladly did.

The driver drove. Nothing special. No accidents, and only got lost once. Modest tip.

We dined at a Golden Corral, which is a smorgasbord. Do you tip the table workers? They did an excellent job, coming around regularly taking away the plates, refilling our drinks, and doing minor cleaning tasks. We tipped them about 10% of our implicit bill (it was included in our package price). (I can't trust myself at such a place. I just cannot stop eating).

Interestingly, the tour guide prompted us to tip the table workers at the GOlden Corral, but another night we had a four-course dinner on a train where we actually got good table service, and she didn't mention a tip at all. Did the tour company provide a gratuity? Maybe. We did not tip. Didn't even think of it, frankly.

We spent three nights in a ski resort. When I spend multiple nights at a motel, the "Do Not Disturb" sign goes up as soon as I check in, and doesn't go down until I check out. Do I tip her for one night or three? One cleaning, one night's tip.

Does anybody else give this much thought to tipping?

I've taken numerous tours and cruises. Never much agreed with the forced tipping at the end, but it is what it is and we have always paid the recommended sum. We have always paid a token sum to local guides and we have always felt they were worth it, but NEVER tipped for table services or room maintenance beyond the combined tips on cruises. Seems that cruise tips are being included in the fares now.

 

[Mack The Finger]

Does anybody else give this much thought to tipping?

I always throw someone a bone when I can.

 

[cnm]

A system where the price isn't the price but charges and taxes will be added to the advertised price must be wearying to the spirit.

 

[gtopa1]

A system where the price isn't the price but charges and taxes will be added to the advertised price must be wearying to the spirit.

And you comment why?? There is stuff all "tipping" in NZ!!

Greg

 

[GLASNOST]

I recently returned from a six-day tour of New England (rails and trails). There were several one-off tipping situations that may be of interest.

The big one was tipping the Tour Guide and bus driver. We paid a good amount for the tour, so I believe we can presume that they were paid adequately by the tour company. Accordingly, if they were merely OK, no tip is appropriate, at least in my view. The tour guide was not very good. She did a lot of talking and tried to engage with all (40) of us, but her pitch was just personal stuff, with no particular insights into the places we were touring, which is what one expects on a tour like this.

Interestingly, she turned over her duties to a local guy for a day and a half in one area of New Hampshire, and he was excellent. He gave us historical information about not only the places that we toured, but also the areas where we traveled. She prompted us to give him a separate tip, which we gladly did.

The driver drove. Nothing special. No accidents, and only got lost once. Modest tip.

We dined at a Golden Corral, which is a smorgasbord. Do you tip the table workers? They did an excellent job, coming around regularly taking away the plates, refilling our drinks, and doing minor cleaning tasks. We tipped them about 10% of our implicit bill (it was included in our package price). (I can't trust myself at such a place. I just cannot stop eating).

Interestingly, the tour guide prompted us to tip the table workers at the GOlden Corral, but another night we had a four-course dinner on a train where we actually got good table service, and she didn't mention a tip at all. Did the tour company provide a gratuity? Maybe. We did not tip. Didn't even think of it, frankly.

We spent three nights in a ski resort. When I spend multiple nights at a motel, the "Do Not Disturb" sign goes up as soon as I check in, and doesn't go down until I check out. Do I tip her for one night or three? One cleaning, one night's tip.

Does anybody else give this much thought to tipping?

I've read your whole post. Two points stand out;

1). She actually "prompted to give him a separate tip" Holy shit! Who does she think she is demanding (by insinuation) that she gets a tip?! Those words alone would make sure she'd get no tip from me.

2), I, like you, put the "do not disturb" sign up immediately, removing it only if I need fresh towels or toilette paper and I do tip them for what I consider worth every day even if I only let her in for one or two days.



NOTE: I think prompted tipping should be abolished and their wages should be sufficient without needing any "tips". Shame on the proprietor if it is not! No tipping is expected in my country and that is the way it should be. End of discussion as far as I am concerned.

 

[braalian]

We paid a good amount for the tour, so I believe we can presume that they were paid adequately by the tour company.

Not sure if that logic tracks

 

[Concerned American]

Not sure if that logic tracks

Often these local guides are the best option for information. They are working a gig and not employed by the tour company. The guides on the busses are paid by the tour company and the tipping is suggested for the overall tour. Some of the best guides I have had the pleasure of listening to were gigs and some were published authors.

 

[braalian]

Often these local guides are the best option for information. They are working a gig and not employed by the tour company. The guides on the busses are paid by the tour company and the tipping is suggested for the overall tour. Some of the best guides I have had the pleasure of listening to were gigs and some were published authors.

Ok. But my point was that you can never assume just because something like this is expensive, that the peons doing the grunt work are being paid well or even fairly

 

[frigidweirdo]

I recently returned from a six-day tour of New England (rails and trails). There were several one-off tipping situations that may be of interest.

The big one was tipping the Tour Guide and bus driver. We paid a good amount for the tour, so I believe we can presume that they were paid adequately by the tour company. Accordingly, if they were merely OK, no tip is appropriate, at least in my view. The tour guide was not very good. She did a lot of talking and tried to engage with all (40) of us, but her pitch was just personal stuff, with no particular insights into the places we were touring, which is what one expects on a tour like this.

Interestingly, she turned over her duties to a local guy for a day and a half in one area of New Hampshire, and he was excellent. He gave us historical information about not only the places that we toured, but also the areas where we traveled. She prompted us to give him a separate tip, which we gladly did.

The driver drove. Nothing special. No accidents, and only got lost once. Modest tip.

We dined at a Golden Corral, which is a smorgasbord. Do you tip the table workers? They did an excellent job, coming around regularly taking away the plates, refilling our drinks, and doing minor cleaning tasks. We tipped them about 10% of our implicit bill (it was included in our package price). (I can't trust myself at such a place. I just cannot stop eating).

Interestingly, the tour guide prompted us to tip the table workers at the GOlden Corral, but another night we had a four-course dinner on a train where we actually got good table service, and she didn't mention a tip at all. Did the tour company provide a gratuity? Maybe. We did not tip. Didn't even think of it, frankly.

We spent three nights in a ski resort. When I spend multiple nights at a motel, the "Do Not Disturb" sign goes up as soon as I check in, and doesn't go down until I check out. Do I tip her for one night or three? One cleaning, one night's tip.

Does anybody else give this much thought to tipping?

Tipping is ridiculous.

I want to know how much this thing is going to cost. I don't want to have to worry about social interactions.

I'm coming into your restaurant, I want food, I want it to be delivered if it's that kind of place, and I want you to put the service in the price so I can see it straight away.

 

[Unkotare]

Who the hell comes to New England and eats at a Golden Corral?

 

[Jarlaxle]

Who the hell comes to New England and eats at a Golden Corral?

You can't be a teacher with reading comprehension ability this bad.