promoguy,
Did you not read all of the posts? There is a $35 charge for carrying guests luggage, I choose not to charge the guests for this service (tho some discretion is used with my choice). I feel I am going to your villa anyway and it really isn't a problem for me. BUT it sure would be nice to be appreciated. Something wrong with that? The $35 charge is far more than a "bone".
What's different about what I said about my honey than Blu said in her post about not getting tipped? Must you attack me? No, I won't go into details as to what I was getting at, simply put, he could charge easily $20 more dollars per hour than he does. Keep your nastiness to yourself please.
I do several jobs, I love my jobs, and will keep on keepin' on! They allow me the flexibility to be available to my family when needed and I highly doubt I would take a 9 to 5 again. Tho yes, my income is much to be desired. That is my choice. There are Margyz's and Bluwater's in the world and then there are the opposite! Guess that's what makes the world go 'round! 🙂

OK so back to my original question.......... If I charter a boat and the captain is the owner is it proper
to tip him/her and there mate for the day. I just want to make sure I don't offend anyone.
Thanks

Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were kind of complaining.

See you at the parade.

Sitting here laughing at your Venetian story, Blu. The guy did allllll that stuff in your room and you ended up moving to another room. And the gal you slipped a $20 at the front desk but still landed in a wrong room. Oh my. So sorry for the experience. But made for a good laugh here!

Ok, who's bored and has time to keep reading an only-somewhat related story? 🙂 It's my Vegas tipping tale--leaving after a biz trip, a not-very-well-traveled colleague and I were checking into airport together. I had no cash and b/c of my fear that my bags will end up anywhere BUT where I end up if I don't tip these guys, I asked my colleague if he had $5 to tip. He did and got out the bill. We walked up to the employee when it was our turn, said our Hellos, and my colleague immediately handed him the $5. DOH! Not the right protocol but not wanting to embarrass my cohort, I didn't say anything. The old guy took the money, and slowly brought out of his pocket the biggest wad of bills I have ever ever seen in one place (I'm not exaggerating), added the $5 to the stack and stuffed back in his pants pocket. He checked us in with only the minimal number of words exchanged between us (real pleasant fellow--are you picturing this guy?). When he handed us our boarding passes, this dude apparently forgot that we'd already tipped him (at the wrong point in the exchange, I understand, but still), and he literally held his hand out, palm up after we took our passes, looking at us. My colleague (clueless) says Thanks and walks away; I stumbled after him, but kept glancing back. The guy gave us the evil eye until we were nearly to the airport door and then proceeded to check in the next people while leaving our bags exactly where they'd sat on sidewalk the whole time he was with us. He even moved their bags AROUND ours to check them in. Oh my gosh. Luckily one of the other workers grabbed our stuff and loaded them up on a cart to carry in. THAT was who deserved a tip! LOL

Hey Sherri--on the $35 bag charge that you waive as a courtesy, that is tippable for sure. If I know someone saved me $35, then I'd gladly give them $25. They make something and I still come out ahead because they helped me out. Would you say that's appropriate? That was the unspoken rule of thumb when I was bartending. If I gave a cool customer a free drink or two, I'd expect a little higher tip, but not as much as the drinks would've cost them. That way we both came out ahead. Your thoughts?

You'll be tipping into a jar. Most have a couple of crew members. We normally tip $20.00 per person in OUR party.

oopsie, answer went under

oopsie, answer went under wrong person.

see my answer above to promoguy. I love to talk to myself.

If it is the owner of the boat than he or she usually does not get tipped. Should give it all to the mate or crew.

Like promoguy $20 per person is a good guideline.

It’s a shame that this thread has taken this turn down a low nasty road. Sherri is such a kind individual who has always taken time out of her very busy day to contribute enthusiastically to this forum and provide great information. It really saddens me to see how she has just been treated here.

Sherri,

About the $35 thing...you should definitely get tip for that. Anytime anyone doesn't charge me for something I should be charged for, I tip them. One hand is washing the other. You take care of me, i'll take care of you...that kind of thing.

Bartenders do that kndof thing all the time...extra liquor in the drinks because they're being tipped well. Or, some even give a few free drinks if you've demonstrated that you're a good tipper.

Everyone,
I think the problem with some of the scenarios laid out here is that the relationship doesn't develop. I like to tip people with whom I am going to have an ongoing relationship for some period.....like a bartender....or even a greeter/escort. Tipping a bartender well is like buying your way into a VIP club. If my villa escort is someone I'm never going to see or talk to again, and they don't do anyting special and don't ofer to even help me with one bag, I'd probably not tip. If they lift a bag, point out some stores and restaurants along the way (as Sherri does), etc...i'd tip. Basically, if they do anything beyond showing me to my villa and showing me how things work in the villa, I'd tip.

Tipping is discretionary and is a voluntary appreciation of an act or service that seems "over and above" to the individual that is doing the tipping.
There is no "should" or "must" involved. It is voluntary. Some you win and some you lose.
Tipping is definitely way out of hand and is now almost a subtle form of extortion. I tip when I think that it is appropriate and that is exactly how it should be.

Blu - better that the owner or manager offer the customer a free drink. 90% of the time if the bartender is doling out freebies to big tippers, then somebody in charge isn't paying attention and the business loses bigtime. Tips go to the service people, not to the owners.

jane - of course in our native land and most of Europe tipping was never 'de rigeur' but of course things are changing even in that regard over there.

I absolutely would not tip anyone anywhere where tipping was the norm if the service was absolutely terrible.

By the same token if the service was great but the food was awful and (even after nicely opening up my mouth to QUIETLY alert the server that this wasn't what I'd asked for, etc. etc.) I wouldn't stiff the server even if the chef threw a hissy fit. Don't blame the messenger! But I WOULD suggest to the server that since he/she was so nice and so competent that he/she should go to the boss or else look for a job elsewhere where customer service is appreciated.

Tipping at a supermarket or a fast food chain? Bloody ludicrous and those who run the store(s) who allow this should be totally ashamed of themselves.

Boat question: If it is the owner as Capt. than he should not be tipped, but the crew should ONLY if you are happy with the service provided! As already answered by others!

Jane, I agree entirely! You should tip ONLY when you feel appropriate and again, happy with the service provided!

Dreaming of STJ,
In aswer to your baggage question: I would be more than happy with a $20, or even a $10! I have learned not to EXPECT a tip even at that, but love it if I am shown the appreciation!!!!

I DO go above and beyond for my guests, meaning ALL of the people I take to various villas as that is what I consider them. MY GUESTS!!!! I take it upon my self to see that all questions are answered and if I can't anwer it,then I make calls to find out the answer! They are shown how to get places and where those places are on the map as well as on our way to the villa. I want all of their needs to be met. If I see something is wrong at the villa, then I make calls immediately as well as e-mail the appropriate people to make sure the problems I see are rectified. I represent not only myself, but the villa agency, and the owner of the villa. I am the first person that guests come in contact with and it is up to me to make sure that they are happy! 🙂
Thankyou to those that have supported me.

I agree with STT. I will tip a wait person even if I have issues with the food. I figure it ain't their fault. I will, however, let the person know so that they may discuss it with management in hopes of not only in safe guarding their tips, but their job as in closing of a lousy restaurant.

OK, I have 2 questions on this topic.....

1. If you know you will be seeing someone at the start and at the end of your trip like the greeter, do you tip them each time you see them, or wait until the end? (Assuming you will be tipping them)

2. Do you tip a valet when they take your car and when you pick it up, or just when you pick it up?

I always struggle with these two things....

Also, if I have great service whether it be in a restaurant or anywhere else, I go out of my way to speak to the manager and let them know. Many people will take the time to complain, but very few pass along complements and they are always appreciated.

Thanks!

New Englander, I live in the valet parking capital of the world Los Angeles and I hate it. Restaurants here will take up parking meter spaces, legally, after a certain hour in front of their restaurants. Out here you pay for the valet parking anywhere from 2.50 to 3.50 when they bring your car. I usually just give a buck more or round up. By the way, that's after you've paid the restaurant 100.00 for a dinner. They don't hire the guy but hire a valet company. I understand back east this doesn't happen.

My rule when I have a breakfast or lunch meeting, no valet before 5.00 pm.

Promo,

Not sure the valet charge is too bad. Restaurant valet is not big here, but we put cars in multi-level lots that charge us at least $10 for a couple of hours in an evening.....some up to $22. Plus, you have to walk to and from the lot for your car. Heaven forbid you get back to the lot at the time that a performance is letting out and you have to wait 30+ minutes in line in the lot to get out with your car....or it is a valet lot and you have to stand in a crowd and wave $10 bills to get ahead of the other 50 people in gowns and tuxedos who want their cars brought down immediately......biggest tip, first served.

I'd take the restaurant valet any day!

Blu, might have to change my opinion. I keep forgetting that when I'm back east I take taxis. Taxis don't work in Los Angeles, hell, public transportation doesn't work here.

By the way, not many tuxedos or gowns at performance out here. Damn, it ain't so bad out here, :):)

I live in Worcester, MA (the second largest city in Mass. 🙂 ) and the parking is limited. Most restaurants offer free valet parking so of course tipping is expected. I usually give the guys $5 when I get my car, but I wasn't sure if I should give something to the guy who takes it.

Bluwater- It never occurred to me to offer the person at the front desk an "incentive" for giving me a better room....I'll have to try that next time!

This is an interesting topic. I've often wondered how tipping developed and became established. We all know that we tip our waiter. The only question is how much. Other people we're uncertain if we should tip or not. Those are the situations that produce some anxiety. And some people we definitely don't tip.

I think it gets into another area when a tip becomes more like a bribe---not for a service performed, but so I will be able to get something or get something done. That's not really tipping and I'm not very comfortable doing that.