Tips on Tipping

Hotel Concierge
The tipping amount given to a hotel concierge for special services can vary.   The tip amount depends on the difficulty of the task you've requested, but typically they should be tipped no less than $5 to $10 for making restaurant reservations or booking theatre tickets.  (If the concierge can get you in to see a sold-out show, the tip might be generous indeed!)

Hotel Personnel

• Maid - If you see your maid, a tip of $2 to $3 a night is always appreciated.   But give the tip directly to the maid; for security reasons, don't leave it in the room.

• Shoe Polishing - It is a good practice to leave $1 or $2 inside your shoes when you have them sent out for overnight polishing.  Often times you may find a handwritten thank-you note in the perfectly shined shoes.

• Housekeeping - When requesting items such as an iron, a tip of $1 - $2 to the person who brings it is customary.

• Doorman - There was a business traveler who generously tips the doorman in a hotel where he stays every month.  During a cab strike, this doorman arranged a car for this man without even being asked.  Tipping gets you known, and you don't have to spend huge amounts of money.

Airport Skycap Baggage Check
Tipping $1 or $2 per bag is customary when checking in curbside.  In the case of holiday or peak season travel, some travelers will keep a $5 out with their tickets even if they only have one bag.  This is an especially effective way to show the skycap he'll be tipped for is trouble in the case of a long line with travelers yelling and jostling at the crowded curbside.

Cruise Ships
What began as a discretionary tradition during the golden age of transatlantic voyages has become formulaic.  Unless the cruise line has a no-tipping policy, the ship will provide guidelines for the amounts the passengers are expected to tip waiters and room stewards.  Don't be afraid, if your room steward provides surly and indifferent service, feel free to tip less than the "recommended" amount.   If by some unfortunate circumstance your surly steward tracks you down demanding his tip, he should be taken to the purser's office to have it explained to him.

Figure on giving about $3.50 a person each day to your dining room waiter and to your room steward and about half that to the assistant waiter.

TIPPING BY REGION

North America
Tipping is expected at most hotels and restaurants.  Tip servers between 15 - 20%, $1 each bag to bellman, $1 to doormen for special assistance, 10-15% for taxis, and 15 percent to barbers or hairstylists.

Europe
In most European restaurants the service charges are included. But if the service was good, leave a little extra change.  Tipping is expected for bellmen, doormen, and taxi-drivers at rates similar to those customary in North America.

Asia
Customs vary.  Tipping is usually not expected in Japan, but it is common in Hong Kong, where tipping customs are similar to those in the United States.

Give tips with a real sense of gratitude and you'll find the recipients respond with added service!