tipping while traveling?

[Marc]

On my last trip I had a new experience; I needed to use wheelchair assistance in airports and cruise terminals. I was in a quandary on how much to tip. I ended up tipping anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on how long they were with me. Is there some rule of thumb? Does it matter if in US or overseas?

 

[CO-guy]

Yes. We are always asking for extra items to be stocked, and go through towels like we are in a baby factory.

We love Japan, where are last tip attempt was left untouched by housekeeping.

From speaking to Japanese people about this during our trip to Japan last year, we came to understand that, culturally, leaving extra money is the equivalent of saying, "do better" or that you were otherwise left wanting from the service. In Tokyo we left a handwritten thank you card and a small gift.

I made a similar mistake tipping at a restaurant in China years ago which resulted in the restaurant owner pleading with me in Chinese to tell him what else he could give us to make things right. A Chinese friend had to explain to him that I'd simply made a mistake and gave me back my money.

 

[Kings over Queens]

We just got back from a short trip to Montreal and Canada and I didn't leave anything for housekeeping or the valet. I simply didn't have right sized bills. Sorry, not leaving a $20 US for one night or to valet my car. I did give the lady who runs the "free breakfast" in Rochester (we stopped to see family) a $100 bill and a note because she was so kind, considerate and made sure that everyone was taken care of and had what they needed. Annie, such a wonderful woman.

 

[mtpisgah]

We usually do not tip housekeeping, unless they do something extra. I Austria two years ago, two laundry days were included. We had out dirty cycling laundry on the floor in a clear “dirty” pile and less dirty clothes in the bag. The housekeeper washed our clothes every day. Yes, we tipped her well at the end of the stay.

Turns out our waiter at dinner every night was her husband. We had been tipping him each night per some research we did and he reciprocated by giving us extra wine pours, even leaving the bottle a few times. I chatted with him in the parking lot as I was packing our bikes, he was a great guy and I think he was genuine in his care and discussions, not just looking for a tip.

 

[bmcgonig]

True story. Was at a fancy hotel restaurant in Menaggio Lake Como last month. normally no tipping or small tipping in Italy. Check came and the lady says that they have added an optional 10% tip to the total. She said we could have it removed if we wanted. I’d never heard of such a thing. So I asked her if anyone ever tells her to take it off?

“Oh yes, normally the Italians”

 

[Aerides]

We just got back from a short trip to Montreal and Canada and I didn't leave anything for housekeeping or the valet. I simply didn't have right sized bills. Sorry, not leaving a $20 US for one night or to valet my car. I did give the lady who runs the "free breakfast" in Rochester (we stopped to see family) a $100 bill and a note because she was so kind, considerate and made sure that everyone was taken care of and had what they needed. Annie, such a wonderful woman.

We usually arrange to have several 5's and 10's etc., before going on a trip, or ask the front desk at the hotel if we forget. Easy enough to break change.

 

[Kings over Queens]

Yeah, for next time. I wasnt sure if they would change us currency for smaller us currency. We only had the 2 stops in Montreal and Toronto.

 

[Montecfo]

We tip housekeeping in the US if we use those services. But rarely do. Overseas we research local custom.

And never worry about what payment terminals say. That's just software. We tip appropriately and ignore the "suggestions".

 

[Music Lover]

Absolutely! Cash tips for housekeeping, bellman, curb side service at airport, HVAC tech, golf cart assistants at the golf clubs etc.

I just paid an HVAC tech $140 an hour to do some work at our cabin. 3 hours of work plus 2 hours of travel time also @ $140 = $700. Plus parts and tax. Total $1,000

He did a great job but I can't think of any possible reason why he or any highly paid tech/contractor should get a tip.

 

[G-Money]

Specific to traveling, I increase tipping and I'm more generous than usual. Tip where it's customary and sometimes where it's not, just as a good faith gesture.

An example would be when we were on the road in our motorhome and noticed a leak in one of the tires. Pulled into a tire shop in a little town. They helped us right away. I'm persnickety about vehicles so I asked the guy doing the work to please take extreme caution with the tire spoons as to not damage or put marks in the aluminum wheels. He may have been careful anyway, but I wanted to make sure he knew this was important to me.

We paid the standard charge for the tire repair. Some shops don't charge, some do. This guy was out there in the blazing sun working over this huge tire and wheel, not easy work. After I paid at the counter I walked back around to the service bay and handed him a generous tip and said thanks.

Tip housekeeping and the usual customary tips, although we typically don't want housekeeping during our stay and leave the "do not disturb" card on our door for the entire stay.

And we'll tip at restaurants where tipping really isn't totally customary...like a Subway sandwich shop. It's just a way to pay things forward and share our enjoyment during our travels for people who serve us.