Tipping Pros. Thoughts?

[wopphil]

The majority of people are cheap, they only tip because they think it's required.

I don't think that is the case here. I think I am a very good tipper, and I will tip in instances where most don't (such as the guy doing magic shows at Ruby's). But I honestly don't think most people have any idea that some people tip housekeepers at hotels.

[2112]

Couple of observations:

Years ago I bought a beer at one of the casinos here in Vegas. The bartender gave me a receipt with my beer, which was strange. I did tip him. Later when I cleaned out my pockets, I realized he already charged me a tip.

Second, most pizza delivery people get only a $1 tip - no matter how much the bill is.

[mp170.6]

Which is another benefit of the envelope.  In my experiences, I have left money out, and never had it taken.  But at the same time, I have also left a few dollars on the pillow, and that was taken as a tip.  But at the end of the stay I have left change in ashtrays (clean of course) and on tables.  So I can see a confusion factor on what is a tip and what is mine.  And lately, I have seen envelopes more often, so it's convenient.

 

Now I wonder, though.  Have mints on pillows been a thank you from the maids for your tips you left on the pillow?  And when you first get there, have the mints on pillow been a subtle reminder to put tips there?  Because mints on pillows seems to be one of those things that just doesn't make sense.  

 

Come to think of it, I haven't noticed a tipping envelope in years.  Nor mints for that matter.  I don't stay at expensive places though. 

 

I do see those envelopes once or twice a year with the newspaper delivered to my house.  Not sure whether the OC Register/LA Times approves of this practice, or it's just the drivers doing it on their own, but they seem to solicit cash around the holidays.  One of my police friends said not to trust these requests because they've caught guys walking residential streets -- just after the paper has been delivered -- inserting envelopes addressed to themselves.  Then, when people send checks in the mail, they wash them to change the recipients or the amount written for. 

 

That won't be a problem much longer with the OC Register though.  They sold their building to an investor and leased it back, terminated the new Los Angeles Register newspaper, and laid off another 30+ employees today, so their days are numbered.  Sad.

[Jay]

Hey! How about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know.

 

[gotbeer]

Come to think of it, I haven't noticed a tipping envelope in years.  Nor mints for that matter.  I don't stay at expensive places though. 

 

I do see those envelopes once or twice a year with the newspaper delivered to my house.  Not sure whether the OC Register/LA Times approves of this practice, or it's just the drivers doing it on their own, but they seem to solicit cash around the holidays.  One of my police friends said not to trust these requests because they've caught guys walking residential streets -- just after the paper has been delivered -- inserting envelopes addressed to themselves.  Then, when people send checks in the mail, they wash them to change the recipients or the amount written for. 

 

That won't be a problem much longer with the OC Register though.  They sold their building to an investor and leased it back, terminated the new Los Angeles Register newspaper, and laid off another 30+ employees today, so their days are numbered.  Sad.

 

Interesting about the newspaper.  yeah, I know for the times, the Newspaper guy usually puts it around the Christmas time area.  I knew one couple that did newspaper delivery in college thinking it would be an easy buck.  If I remember right, they were under contract for a year to deliver at very very low wages.  But they just complained.  Surprising how many people claim they never get the paper.  And rain or shine, 7 days a week, sick or healthy, they had to deliver the paper.  With a big paper like the times, it might be easier.  But I think they were doing the Riverside Press or something like that, and every morning, they had to roll up the paper, and if it was raining, put it in a plastic bag.  

[Slegnaac]

For me, it's not even about the money, since I'd just add the tip to one of my meals and expense it to the client anyway. It's about having to carry cash, in particular small bills. First, I have to go the ATM to withdraw the cash, and since I can't withdraw the cash in denominations of less than $20, I then have to find a way to break the 20 into 1's and 5's. That's a major nuisance. If I could just add the 5-10 bucks to my bill at the end of my stay and have it charged to my credit card I would gladly tip.

Lots of times I go to the front desk to get singles. It really isn't that much of an effort.

Also when I was in Scotland I had them add 3 pounds per day to my bill for the staff, housekeeping and wait staff. I have never ask if they would do it in the states but they might.

[Tank]

Lots of times I go to the front desk to get singles. It really isn't that much of an effort.

Also when I was in Scotland I had them add 3 pounds per day to my bill for the staff, housekeeping and wait staff. I have never ask if they would do it in the states but they might.

 

i don't think we use pounds anymore in the US. 

[DB24]

Funny and accurate tipping parody. 

 

Freakonomics Radio Podcast - Truth about Tipping 

http://freakonomics.com/2013/06/03/should-tipping-be-banned-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

 

^ I enjoy listening to these guys.

 

 

 

[Schildog]

i'm interested in getting cleaning at my apartment every other week. on the website i noticed an apply link. curiously i clicked on the link. so it was saying the cleaners can earn $400-$500 a week plus tips. surely you don't tip people cleaning your apartment.

[TobiasFunke]

Surely you don't need other people cleaning your apartment. How Bougie of you Schil.

[nate]

i'm interested in getting cleaning at my apartment every other week. on the website i noticed an apply link. curiously i clicked on the link. so it was saying the cleaners can earn $400-$500 a week plus tips. surely you don't tip people cleaning your apartment.

 

Yep, we give the cleaners a 25 dollar tip.

[Schildog]

Each time?

[nate]

twice a month yea.

[Schildog]

jesus... how much is to clean your house?

[ten ocho recon scout]

I never knew you were supposed to tip the maid to be honest.

In terms of waiters expecting a tip, i think people need to remember they get taxed on those tips, regardless of if they get a tip or not. So that one is a standard. For everyone else though? I thonk it was wopphil above who made a fair point, where is the line drawn? Taco bell, mechanic etc. Im not against doing it, but it shouldnt be expected

[Blarg]

jesus... how much is to clean your house?

Nate is a slob and tracks snow and mud in, add to that the pizza crusts between the sofa pillows and they pay a premium.

[Blarg]

I never knew you were supposed to tip the maid to be honest.

Kobe tipped a maid and it cost him a diamond ring.

[Blarg]

What I'm saying is don't tip without consent.

[ten ocho recon scout]

No, kobe left just the tip....

[Tank]

we have a cleaning woman come in once a month. she charges $80. we don't tip her. one time her daughter came with her to help and she managed to clean out about $20 bucks of change out of our change cup. hope she enjoyed it.

[nate]

jesus... how much is to clean your house?

 

250 bucks a month for two visits.  They dust everything and scrub the counters/sinks/etc both visits and one visit they also polish the floors/furniture.  Takes two people two hours each visit.

[Brandon]

Damn, I feel better.

We just moved and I know the dude that runs the cleaning company, but wasn't sure if I got a deal.

We moved out and the place was empty, he said two people will take four hours and that includes everything and the carpets cleaned.

Only cost $225. They missed some minor things, but it was move in ready and immaculate. I was expecting to pay that just for the carpets.

[nate]

This place has tons of natural finished wood - cabinets, entry ways, window sils, plus the floors and furniture so it takes them a long time to polish.  We didn't have a ton of options.  They do a really good job.  We considered having them come just once a month.  We mostly like it for how they dust/polish.  Doing the floors is a real pain.  Honestly I think the cabinets and entry ways could be cleaned once every 3 months or so.

 

Forgot to add that they clean the windows from the inside also.  Most of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows so that takes a bit.  Stupid dogs and their wet noses make a mess of them.

Edited January 13, 2015 by nate

[Adam]

$80 per clean

She comes every other Tuesday from 7:30-12:30

We don't tip but we gave her a fat Christmas bonus

[Don]

Kobe tipped a maid and it cost him a diamond ring.

That's probably why he hasn't tipped anyone since.