tipping on tours

[Patri]

I was with a group at a restaurant. Planned to give a 20% tip when I paid. At the register, I saw a tip had already been applied, and it was less than I intended to give, but I let it stay. The group policy bugs me and in this case affected the server. But in the long run maybe they get better tips, so no harm no foul for the meal. It is their call. (And my service was fine, but for a couple others, it was not).

 

[Snazzylass]

I was with a group at a restaurant. Planned to give a 20% tip when I paid. At the register, I saw a tip had already been applied, and it was less than I intended to give, but I let it stay. The group policy bugs me and in this case affected the server. But in the long run maybe they get better tips, so no harm no foul for the meal. It is their call. (And my service was fine, but for a couple others, it was not).

I've noticed that too! Often times the recalculated amount is less than I would have given.

 

[Snazzylass]

Tipping in lieu of the employer paying employees a reasonable wage is out of control in the America IMHO. Of course the corollary would be employers charging higher prices to pay those higher wages.

I honestly don’t know the answer. I can say I nearly lost it when there was an area to tip the cashier at a CVS store in San Francisco last month. I drew the line years ago with tipping at fast food restaurants, including Starbucks. I couldn’t believe I was seeing an electronic tip jar at a CVS.

Supplementing servers at a restaurant I can live with as they’re not even paid minimum wage. To an extent they’re working for me at my table, taking my order, delivering my food, keeping my drink full and taking always the dishes. Everyone else is suspect at best IMHO. They should be paid what they’re worth by their employer. I shouldn’t be guilted into supplementing employees income so the CEO can make a little more money or get a bigger bonus.

I'm glad I posted just to hear your story..that is totally nuts! CVS?? I wouldn't even think they'd be allowed to keep the tip...

 

[Snazzylass]

Tipping in the USA has become tedious. It seems every type business has fallen into the 'tip for service' trap. And, of course I- and seemingly most others have taken them up on it. I draw the line at tipping proprietors in THEIR businesses. I tip employees for better-than-average service, but the boss can set whatever price they deem appropriate for their service.

As to the above (OPs) example, the referenced tour was inside the USA, hence the expectation in our 'tipping culture', but in the case of the upcoming European tour, tipping is much more of a 'rounding up' of rewarding service. That said, being told to expect to pay $15/day for a guide & driver doesn't seem exorbitant, if the price is something like $150pp/pd. That's 10%. I think I'd have a discreet conversation with some of the co-travelers on the tour before the tour ends and tips are collected. I would strive to be neither the highest tipper, nor the cheapest skate on board.

Jim

Thanks, Jim! I especially appreciate your response since I know you travel to Europe quite bit! I am thinking our tour guide is from the US. I'm just going to see how it goes. I'm not a high needs person, but I agree. It's not that much $$ anyway.

I am going to quibble with your math It's a 10-day tour with 30 people. Maybe it was the 10 days that caused you to calculate 10%? I reality. It's much less than 10%...but I thought when you booked a tour the price of the guide was included...not sure why I thought that..

 

[Snazzylass]

That sounds quite high. Probably because it's in the US. DW and I are going on a European river cruise with Viking later in the summer. It's an expensive trip. They recommend $2 pp per day for tour guides and $1 pp per day for bus drivers. This is in addition to the standard tips for shipboard personnel, for which they recommend $20 pp per day.

I think the $2 and $1 pp are pretty reasonable. It's a standard that I'd be tempted to use even on US trips.

Thank you! Really appreciate your real life experience

 

[dougp26364]

All the machines I see list an option of "no tip."

I have run into this a few times...The suggested tip is computed after adding all items/fees and sales tax...

I exercise the no tip option in situations where no tip should be requested.

I always take the sales tax off my tip calculations. However, I also tend to over tip when the service is good, it NOT on the governments take.

 

[callwill]

a freind visiting a mlb park for a game was told by a vendor to not put a tip on the credit card there as the tips were not distributed to the vendors.

 

[stmartinfan]

We did a tour of Italy last fall with Insight Tours, and their recommendations for tipping were about the same as the figures you cited. Our tour guide was excellent and even shared local treats like cookies, candies, etc., every day on the bus, to give us more local flavor. Our tour guide had really struggled during COVID…had to give up her apartment in Italy and move back home with her mother in the UK to survive, so I didn't begrudge her a little extra.

 

[dioxide45]

Recently placed a to-go order at Chili's and the ubiquitous tip options were there for the marking before finalizing the order. There was a space for custom amount that did not work, so I went with the minimum- 18%!!!

I noticed the minimum 18% last night when I ordered from Chili's. Though the custom tip worked for me. Today I did an online order for pickup at Jimmy John's. The website had a rather discrete area for adding a tip. I didn't. When I got to the store they were sure to hand me a slip that I had to sign that had a line for a tip. Do I really need to tip for someone to make my sandwich? I can kind of understand at a full service restaurant as the server working carryout is often a regular server who could be working tables.

 

[geist1223]

No.

 

[Luanne]

There is a place we go for take out Indian (all they do in take out) in town. There is no where on the website to add a tip. They have no tip jar. So I expect they do not expect a tip. He may build it into his prices. And it's great food by the way. The chef "out flayed" Bobby Flay with his tikka masala.

 

[hotspot]

Hi everyone,

First I have to admit to a bias on this subject, my son is a tour guide in the Canmore/Banff area of Alberta. He works for a company that creates custom tours based on the clients list of "must sees" and interests. The tours can be as small as 2 people or as large as 16. He is both the driver and the guide. Tips are customary and expected, although there is no guideline given by the company, just that tips are appreciated.

His experience has been that tips vary depending on the clients country of origin and the degree of one on one interaction he has with them. He tries to be as involved as they will let him without being intrusive. He helps with luggage and assists with getting off and on the van as needed. At the destinations, if they want him to go along with them on their hike or activity to guide and answer questions, he will. If they want to explore on their own, he remains with the van and makes sure there is a cold drink waiting for them.

Recently he had a family of 10, ranging from 6 years old to a grandmother in a wheelchair. He made adjustments on the fly to their itinerary once he met them and was able to assess their mobility. He used his knowledge of the area and the terrain to make their experience inclusive for all the family members. As he put it, "You don't leave Granny sitting by herself in the van" so he sat with her in the visitor centre while the others climbed to a lookout. That kid was raised right if I do say so myself.....

He also acts as the intermediary at restaurants and lodgings, and uses his contacts at the various activities to smooth the way. He does a commentary and answers questions while driving, about everything from history and geography to Canadian culture.

He does appreciate every tip he gets, but realizes that tipping culture is different from place to place. He tries to make every trip memorable for each guest, and does realize that expectations are individual. All he can do is hope that he meets or exceeds them, and that sometimes the tip is not necessarily a reflection of the effort he puts in.

 

[PigsDad]

Do I really need to tip for someone to make my sandwich?

Absolutely not. It is fine if some people want to, but you should not feel guilty for not tipping at a counter service / fast food place, IMO.

Kurt

 

[Talent312]

For a sandwich or food that I put on a plate myself, no tip,
unless there's wait staff that services the table, then $1-$2.

For full-service wait staff, 15% (rounded up to $x.50 or $x.00).
But I also go with a calculated-displayed amount, if it's less...
Who am I to fight the machine?

For exceptional service or special events, typically ~18%.

 

[SmithOp]

I noticed the minimum 18% last night when I ordered from Chili's. Though the custom tip worked for me. Today I did an online order for pickup at Jimmy John's. The website had a rather discrete area for adding a tip. I didn't. When I got to the store they were sure to hand me a slip that I had to sign that had a line for a tip. Do I really need to tip for someone to make my sandwich? I can kind of understand at a full service restaurant as the server working carryout is often a regular server who could be working tables.

The same happens to me at Round Table Pizza, I order and pay in the app adding a 10% tip for a takeout order. When I arrive they always want me to sign a receipt with another tip line. I always write in, see app charge! Most other take out apps do not require a signed receipt, charged in the app.

 

[am1]

As I was handed a charge slip at my dentist's office,
I said, "What? No line for a tip?" -- they thought it was funny.
.

Thats one place I would be willing to tip to make sure get great service the next time. Joking aside I get great service and the last time suggested I should get a discount for cleanings as I was getting the last of 3 baby teeth pulled.

 

[am1]

I was with a group at a restaurant. Planned to give a 20% tip when I paid. At the register, I saw a tip had already been applied, and it was less than I intended to give, but I let it stay. The group policy bugs me and in this case affected the server. But in the long run maybe they get better tips, so no harm no foul for the meal. It is their call. (And my service was fine, but for a couple others, it was not).

Probably make more being double tipped then they lose by you only paying the added tip. Not a fan of large restaurant group bills. Last time I said just pitch in what you owe and I will pay the rest as that is mine. Comes to me and I owed a lot more. Extra charges from the restaurant. Even a sangria thrown in there ordered by the owners mom but drank at our table. Off putting to say the least but my own mistake for trying to make things simple.

 

[WinniWoman]

@WinniWoman just came back from a US tour. I'm headed to one in Europe. The tour operator in the US explained that I should be prepared to tip my tour guide and bus driver $10 & $5/day respectively. I can be a sucker for tipping, but this seems like a lot...at the end of the tour the guide will have roughly $3000 in cash; $1500 for the driver...don't they get a paycheck too? Seems like a lot to me...

Would appreciate hearing about others experiences, please

We gave the bus driver $25 and the tour guide $50. This essentially was a 6 night trip. (We came in a day early so I’m not counting that day). The 7th day was day of departure.

The lower end of what Collette recommended. Between everyone else involved including the hotel transfer drivers, the car service to and from our airport in Boston, the wheelchair attendants at the airport, the local tour guides, I think we came close to $300 in tips. Not including the tips for servers for the meals out on our own.

 

[beejaybee]

@hotspot
I totally understand your son's position as an employee of a tour company!

Last September four of us booked a hike to Mt. Edith Cavell in Jasper with Paula who is owner/guide with Jasper Walks and Talks. We paid her in cash (75CDN pp) at the end of the hike. I didn't think we should add extra since all the fees were hers, but DH and friends thought we should, so we did.

I've always thought that tipping the owner of a business was unnecessary, but evidently not these days since Paula didn't demur at receiving a tip!

 

[Snazzylass]

Hmm..just found the original brochure given to me by the tour company...suggests $7/day for the guide + $2 for local guides...and $3/day for the bus driver...

 

[dioxide45]

Hmm..just found the original brochure given to me by the tour company...suggests $7/day for the guide + $2 for local guides...and $3/day for the bus driver...

New recommendations to account for inflation?

 

[Tia]

Not too long ago read on TripAdvisor USVI STJ specific a topic for restaurant tipping there. One place had added tips to the bill , seems others commenting said in their experience there were always parties that did not tip. It's locals and vacationers posting there. Guess to make sure those that don't tip or undertip tip they went with a policy of adding it to the bill. It's not an inexpensive island to travel to.

 

[PigsDad]

New recommendations to account for inflation?

That would be 43% and 67% inflation for those two. Seems a bit excessive...

Kurt

 

[dioxide45]

That would be 43% and 67% inflation for those two. Seems a bit excessive...

Kurt

Yeah, but it is hard to make adjustments when the numbers are this small. They aren't going to say $3.50 per day for the driver or $8.75 for the guide. Round numbers are easier for people to figure out.

 

[TheDude]

Look closely at your restaurant bills in Miami Beach. Many restaurants include a pre-populated tip on the bill. I think it's generally around 18 percent. The first time I visited Miami Beach I double tipped because of this. Now I pay more attention.