Tipping, tipping everywhere

[blyday]

What if you're not physically there when Magical Express drops off your bags in your room?

lol

Well.....obviously......you can't tip them then!! LOL

As for tipping Housekeeping.....my parents never did but then again....we almost never stayed in a hotel and my parents are/were the worst tippers in the world. Seriously....I've seen them leave a $5 tip at Sizzlers after our extended family group of 14 people ate there.....umm......not even close!!! We actually all have gotten used to bring a extra cash with us to leave on the table whenever my parents are paying for dinner. In fact.....once DH and I paid for dinner and they left the tip.....we add tip to the bill because the $5 was in insult!!!

So....my point.....we tip although I have to admit that sometimes I would forget to leave the money out for housekeeping. I guess I don't see the point of "it's their job" as an excuse for not tipping for great service. There are some jobs where tipping is okay and others where it isn't. (In fact, if you tried to tip the CM who takes your FPs.....they will refuse it as that is against policy.) So....tipping where tips are an accepted form of "thanks" is okay and proper to do and it doesn't mean that you now have to tip the cashier at the grocery store.

[AmeliaPond]

I hope I'm not trying to be converted....haha. Sorry, I still have no plans of tipping housekeeping. But as I said, I leave the "do not disturb" sign out my entire vacation anyway. I'm not telling anyone they shouldn't tip. I'm just saying that I, personally, don't tip.

And for the record...I tip 15% for crappy service at a restaurant. 20-30% for good/great service. I also tip the lady who cuts my hair and the lady who waxes my eyebrows. Other than that...I don't think there's anyone else I tip on a regular basis.

Oh...and I'll stop clogging up this thread now since I've already given my thoughts on the original question.

[annethomas]

Valet- 5.00 going and 5.00 coming
bellman- 1.00 if bag is normal 2.00 if I have brought bricks with me (as my DH claims)
Taxi- 15%
Special employees- I buy them candy or such, I hope to pick better stuff this year!
Mousekeeping- 5.00 a day

[DisneySmiles]

We never tipped housekeeping until Disney either. Although this time, we stopped part of the way through the trip. We consistently got poor housekeeping. They didn't stock enough towels for the number of people in the room, never replenished the cups, didn't rinse the coffee pot (maybe they aren't suppose to?) We are neat people, so there was very little they had to do.

Upon arrival my parents room also didn't have a coffee pot. It took 3 calls to finally get one brought and then they just brought it all packaged in the box. My dad had to unpack it and get it all set up.

Every night after coming back from the parks, we had to call housekeeping to get more stuff. We decided then that we were done tipping. If someone goes out of their way to do a great job, I have no problem compensating accordingly, but in this situation I was less than impressed.

[peachygreen]

I guess my problem with tipping housekeeping is that since you could get a different person each time you are leaving a tip on expected service, but you don't know that you are going to get that service? It would to me be like handing my waiter $20 at the beginning of a meal and telling them this is your tip no matter what you do for me. If I leave $5 for housekeeping the housekeeper takes it and doesn't leave enough towels or replace the dirty cups. The next day I leave $1 or nothing because I was disappointed and a different housekeeper could be working who does something that goes above and beyond.

With that said if I'm staying somewhere more than one night 99% of the time it is in time share and I don't get midstay cleaning services.

The following article makes a lot of sense when it comes to tipping housekeeping. The last line sums it up to me:

"Tipping housekeepers is "a really lovely thing," said Reneta McCarthy, a Cornell lecturer who started out in the industry as a housekeeping manager with Marriott.

"But generally speaking I would say the majority of people don't do it. And when you look at it, you know, I hate to say it, but this is not considered a tips position. The housekeepers, unlike the bellmen, are not filling out tip reporting forms," she said."


http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-24/t...e?_s=PM:TRAVEL

With that said if you want to tip, I don't see a problem with it, but I do not personally plan to start tipping housekeepers anytime soon. I'm all for giving tips when warrented but I don't like to tip based on services not yet performed.

[TiggerTrigger]

The tipping housekeeping thing has always baffled me. We traveled a bit as kids and my grandparents were also well traveled, but in their circles- tipping housekeeping was only done when staying at certain high end all inclusive resorts and localized land cruise type trips. And even then- it was always done at the end of the trip. We tip bell services regardless if they do any baggage handling as well as valets no matter what kind of trip...but the housekeeping part always was conisdered inappropriate in their circles if just staying at a standard hotel- even if it was a 5 star establishment. That's not to say the housekeeping wouldn't appreciate it, but it was just considered the wrong approach for that type of establishment. As another person noted, housekeeping is often a different person each day and this may be the reason...i.e. the tip for this service would only be considered suitable if it was the kind of vacay scenario where you had an assigned room house keeper...at least, that's how they looked at it.

I've tried all 3 methods at WDW...no tipping, tipping at the end and tipping every day and it's made 0 difference in the service we've received. Add that in with my family's approach to tipping, and I'm starting to wonder if it's really needed at all.

I mean, most of us who frequent WDW do so b/c we love it and love the service, but at some point it feels like we're tipping b/c we've set WDW as an ideal above all other places...and not b/c it's really needed or currently customary with the masses. I've seen etiquette come up in a few posts, but the reality is that etiquette changes over time (better and worse) and I'm pretty certain based on friends in the industry, that prevailing opinions on housekeeping tipping etiquette have changed from what they were 30/40/50 yrs ago, etc. Case in point, while not as into WDW as me, NONE of my friends who have stayed onsite have ever tipped housekeeping there. They acted like I had 3 heads when I told them and on top of it- none of them complained about service + I think most of them actually got more towel animals and plush figure arrangements than we ever have.

So like a pp noted, if someone goes above and beyond- I'd probably consider a housekeeping tip, but I think I'm past my days of auto tipping housekeeping at WDW.

[DoctorK]

Maybe it *is* a regional thing. My sister worked housekeeping at minimum wage when she was in college and it was a physically gruelling job. People taking that position in the northeast (NYS at least) generally consider that tips will be a substantial portion of their income. My grandparents, parents and I always leave a tip for housekeeping (all from NY state - not NYC).

[AliceIn]

"But generally speaking I would say the majority of people don't do it. And when you look at it, you know, I hate to say it, but this is not considered a tips position. The housekeepers, unlike the bellmen, are not filling out tip reporting forms," she said."


http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-24/t...e?_s=PM:TRAVEL

With that said if you want to tip, I don't see a problem with it, but I do not personally plan to start tipping housekeepers anytime soon. I'm all for giving tips when warrented but I don't like to tip based on services not yet performed.

But the rest of the article had an entirely different take:

"
Since housekeeping positions fall into the out-of-sight ("back of the house") category of hotel work, the jobs aren't considered tips-based positions. Still, that doesn't mean tips aren't warranted, and in terms of tipping etiquette the rule of thumb is, "When in doubt, do," said Lizzie Post, an etiquette expert with the Emily Post Institute.

"This is a person who really does try to make your stay in your room nice every single day, and that is why we tip her," Post said.
So when and how much? Post offered these guidelines:
• Tip every day to ensure your tip gets to the person who actually cleaned your room. • Leave a note in your room with the money indicating it is for housekeeping. • Tip $1 or $2 per person, per night in most hotels. In higher end hotels, $3 to $5 per person per night is typical. • In a motel, tips are generally not necessary for a one-night stay. The $1 or $2 standard is appropriate for multiday stays."

[danyoung]

From the CNN travel site http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-24/t...e?_s=PM:TRAVEL -

Tipping housekeepers is "a really lovely thing," said Reneta McCarthy, a Cornell lecturer who started out in the industry as a housekeeping manager with Marriott.
"But generally speaking I would say the majority of people don't do it. And when you look at it, you know, I hate to say it, but this is not considered a tips position. The housekeepers, unlike the bellmen, are not filling out tip reporting forms," she said.

And now that I've read the rest of the thread, I see that this is a popular quote. I'm sure you could find plenty of evidence to support either side of this argument. I've never tipped housekeeping, nor have I had bad service because of it. As others have said, it seems to be something that Disney fansites promote, but is a little bit more vague elsewhere. Of course, housekeepers like receiving tips - who wouldn't want extra cash, especially if you didn't have to report it to Uncle Sam? But is it truly necessary or expected? I just don't think so.

And just to confuse the issue more, the 15 - 20% tip that's expected when dining can be variable too, depending on the state you're eating in. For example, waitstaff in Texas get paid $2.13 per hour, yet in California the minimum is $8 per hour. Should I tip more in Texas than I do in California? I'm so confused!!!

http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm

[marlaine]

We always tip housekeeping at every hotel we go to--Disney or elsewhere. My DH and I used to vacation in casino areas. Just about everyone staying at a casino hotel tips, it seems. We carry that through everywhere we go. In WDW, we have stayed at the same resort every year. The last three we've stayed Club Level (in the same room because we request it!), and have had the same, wonderful mousekeeper. She does go up and beyond! I set aside money just for her tips because it's become more of a personal thing. We know her 2 days off, and still tip when it's another mousekeeper, just not as much.
Before I was blessed with my DS, I worked in a lot of service jobs--hostess, waitress, bartender, banquet coordinator. I depended on my tips to pay my bills. Because of that, I let those in the service industry know that I appreciate their hard work.

[Yippee]

Yesterday I placed an order with GardenGrocer. The tip example was $12!! and there was a little note saying that the tip is divided between the person who picks your stuff, the person who packs it, and the person who delivers it. Geesh, aren't these people drawing a salary?? I can sort of understand a buck for the delivery guy, but it seems very very strange to tip people ahead of time. I read it as an almost veiled threat. Is the message that this picker will pick better fruit for me if I tip her 12 bucks rather than 2?
This is off the subject, but the GardenGrocer service may be convenient but it's not cheap. I'm paying about 100 bucks for bread, ham, fruit and very little else. The apples are 1.30 each without delivery. I think I saw one of Josh's menus on WDW where they were that much at a counter service so I don't think I'm saving a lot of money by using GG. It's just the ability to make a sandwich in our room the way our picky DD likes it. In fact I decided to smuggle the apples in our suitcase because they're a lot cheaper where I am.
Finally - if you add the delivery charge ($12), fuel surcharge, tip for GardenGrocer, and tip for person who schleps your bag to your room and we're talking 20+ bucks just to get your expensive groceries to your room!

[disneydacey]

I always tip housekeeping no matter what type of hotel we are at. I know how much I hate cleaning my own bathroom so I can only imagine the horror of cleaning what basically amounts to a public restroom :)

[052012]

Yesterday I placed an order with GardenGrocer. The tip example was $12!! and there was a little note saying that the tip is divided between the person who picks your stuff, the person who packs it, and the person who delivers it. Geesh, aren't these people drawing a salary?? I can sort of understand a buck for the delivery guy, but it seems very very strange to tip people ahead of time. I read it as an almost veiled threat. Is the message that this picker will pick better fruit for me if I tip her 12 bucks rather than 2?
This is off the subject, but the GardenGrocer service may be convenient but it's not cheap. I'm paying about 100 bucks for bread, ham, fruit and very little else. The apples are 1.30 each without delivery. I think I saw one of Josh's menus on WDW where they were that much at a counter service so I don't think I'm saving a lot of money by using GG. It's just the ability to make a sandwich in our room the way our picky DD likes it. In fact I decided to smuggle the apples in our suitcase because they're a lot cheaper where I am.
Finally - if you add the delivery charge ($12), fuel surcharge, tip for GardenGrocer, and tip for person who schleps your bag to your room and we're talking 20+ bucks just to get your expensive groceries to your room!

Thanks for posting this. I was going to place order but this has made me think I can take enough with us to get by without this. Mostly just wanted few breakfast things. We will be staying at ASMo. Wonder if you can buy half gallon milk there? Also, I read about Hess. Now I need to look into how much a cab would be just to go there. Thanks
Susan

[danyoung]

Depending on how you get to and from the airport, you can always stop at the CVS store on the way in. I always rent a car at the airport, and the CVS is my first stop to pick up munchies and water for the room.

[DoctorK]

WeGoShop is another alternative. They don't markup actual grocery store prices, but there's still a delivery charge and tip involved. After spending about 2 hours in a crazy crowded target after a day of travel, I would have gladly paid someone else to do that while I relaxed by the pool. It's a vacation, after all.

[britkate]

Coming late to this thread - sorry OP. We are obviously European too and the whole thing baffled us - what was especially baffling is that we had a split stay and things that we offered money for at OKW were refused (very charmingly) and yet were consistantly accepted at POR - maybe it was just coincidence?

We left money for housekeeping everyday - though this is unheard of in the UK (they would think it was some sort of honestly test), anyway we had to ask for a few things and ask them to leave the living room beds down and madeup etc so we tipped as we thought we were being a difficult family.

I would never tip a grocery delivery - they might get a fiver at Christmas like the postman/milkman but not the general weekly shop.

[Yippee]

Just got back so I thought I would let you know what we did.
Magical Express on the way to the resort: the bus made two stops before ours so we craned out the window to see what everyone else was doing. no one seemed to be giving tips so we didn't either.
At the hotel we carried our own luggage so no tip there.
I went down immediately to get the Garden Grocer stuff and told them I would carry it myself, no tip there either.
Did not tip housekeeping.
Bell people holding our luggage on our last day - gave them 2 bucks.
Magical Express on the way back: the driver straight out said several times over the speaker that he would appreciate any gratuities. My wallet held exactly two 5-dollar bills and some change, less than 50 cents. Dear partner had absolutely no money. 5 dollars really seemed extreme to me but DP said better that than nothing. There was just one other family getting off the bus at our terminal and as the driver was unloading suitcases we clearly saw a 10-dollar bill in her hand which she proceeded to give the driver. I didn't feel so bad for giving 5 dollars after that but I still think it was excessive!

[danyoung]

Really? A Magical Express driver was asking for tips? Very bad form!

[loftus]

The best part of being "foreign" is not tipping!

No, no, no it's absolutely the worst thing because most of us worry about getting it wrong!

I still get confused about what and when to tip the bar staff if I have a drink. I'll probably have to drink myself into unconsciousness just to get over the nerves.

[Yippee]

don't worry Loftus. As i recall at the bar and restaurants there was a handy little tip guide printed on the check at both bars and restaurants with the suggested amounts of 18% or 20% (i think). I guess they've been burned by foreign guests before!

[052012]

We are being picked up at airport by Tiffany's Towncar so we can make a stop at Publix. Some special things we have to have for grandson. I have prepaid for this service for round trip. How much to tip the driver? Thanks
Susan

[Bribren]

I tip the housekeepers because i remember carrying cases of wine out to cars in december and hoping to make a buck tip. If i got $12 for a shift i was thrilled. That was when I was going to college. Now im paying 2.50 for a coke at wdw, i can throw a minium wage worker a few bucks here and there. These folks wouldnt choose to vacuum rugs if there were a 25k year jobs available to them. I wouldnt tell anyone to tip, but i like to.

I leave it under the little card with the name on them. Then there is no mistake.

[Pod]

Hi
New to forum, but have been to WDW a few times. I'm learning a lot here- So, thanks!

I also had not heard of tipping except when I started visiting WDW forums years ago. Since then I have left tips. WHat I have found is that at many hotels housekeeping will not accept them, especially at the nicer places- just got back from the Fairmont Kea Lani and no matter where I left it, it stayed right there. I felt like I was insulting her, honestly.

Right now, I'm inclined not to tip unless we make a big mess, which can occasionally happen on accident. Then, I think it really is necessary.

Also, I read somewhere to never leave the tip on the nightstand!

And, in the more expensive cities in Europe, a small tip (10%) is starting to become standard at restaurants. We did this in London last summer.

[Pod]

I tip the housekeepers because i remember carrying cases of wine out to cars in december and hoping to make a buck tip. If i got $12 for a shift i was thrilled. That was when I was going to college. Now im paying 2.50 for a coke at wdw, i can throw a minium wage worker a few bucks here and there. These folks wouldnt choose to vacuum rugs if there were a 25k year jobs available to them. I wouldnt tell anyone to tip, but i like to.

I leave it under the little card with the name on them. Then there is no mistake.

I always tip at the car wash, because that is one job I would never, ever want to do.
The best tip I ever gave was asking a very harried McDonald's cashier to keep the change, after a customer had been particularly nasty to her- on Christmas Eve, no less. It was enough so that she could go buy a nice cocktail later.

[mousehelper]

Really? A Magical Express driver was asking for tips? Very bad form!

I tip them $1 per bag if they touch my carryon. Other than that-- no tip. I think that's fairly standard -- $1 pe bag for whoever touches your bag.

I try to remember to tip Housekeeping $1 per person per night. More on the last night.

I tip valet when they pick up my car -- a couple of bucks.

I tip boat captains for special events-- cruises, parasailing, tubing. About 10 - 15% of the cost of the event.

I tip taxi drivers -- 10 - 15%.

And, wait staff/bartenders. 15 - 20%. More to a bartender on the first night I'm there if I know I'll be back in the bar again. Here, more than anywhere, I think a tip really does help facilitate attentiveness on future visits.