Dear Member
Hello Hugheen - this is an interesting post for an international website; there are likely to be many people here who are not from a tipping culture and who don't quite understand why tipping should be necessary in a developed country. These bellboys, barstaff and maids are employed by multi-national companies who charge customers quite hefty rates for a room or drink. Most (non-American) travellers would expect that the price they are paying for the room or the drink would include more than enough for the consumables and the service provided, including the wages of the staff involved.
Perhaps it could be more appropriate for the workers who think they're not paid enough to go on strike until their employers pay them more. Or perhaps they should seek employment in a position which is rewarded more favourably. I assume each state has a minimum wage which the state legislators deem is a sufficient wage to live off. If that is the case and the wage is not sufficient, the electorate ought to vote for different representatives who will act to increase the minimum wage so that it is enough to live off. Or perhaps customers and/or workers should protest against the hotel chains until the employers increase basic wages to a suitable level.
Whether individual customers offering tips of various sizes is the answer is a moot point - it doesn't seem necessary in many otherdeveloped countries. Personally, I'm with Mr Pink!
Tipping culture seems to be spread by American tourists and is bad news for both worker and customer. As a customer I choose to buy from a vendor who gives an honest clear price - I do not want to be expected to worry about the issues described by the OP or to have additions on the advertised price. I want to see a price and choose whether to buy pr not at that price.
These sort of practices lead me away from spending my travel time (and money) in the USA.
Honestly, I don't see the big deal.
Tipping is part of US (and Canadian) culture. If you're against tipping then don't travel to those countries, or choose a style of travel where tipping is largely avoided.
Simple.
Cheers,
Terry
Personally I think tipping should be banned. Tipping culture brings inconvenience and sometimes embarassing for travellers since they don't know whom to tip and how much they should tip. Years ago I travelled to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. They don't have tip culture there and I felt very comfortable. Not that I'm kind of careful with money, but it frees me from considering how much and whom I should tip.
coreye, with all due respect that's an idiotic statement.
Are you proposing to ban ALL cultural anomalies around the world that you don't personalty agree with?!?!
Wake up...
Cheers,
Terry
Some places do already clamp down on it and treat it as bribery. If you tip in nz there's a chance it'll be refused and you'll get told off for eroding their non-tipping culture.
That's exactly my point, Andy.
Simply respect the culture of the country that you're visiting. If you're not capable of doing that then you shouldn't have chosen that country as a destination in the first place.
Cheers,
Terry
Just found this (admittedly in a not -too-reputable newspaper) stating that tipping.
Tipping illegal in Argentina, haha... that may technically be the law, Boris (I've been told that too) but it sure isn't the practise. I've spent a lot of time in Argentina and have received countless restaurant bills on the gringo trail that come with a big red stamp saying, "tip not included!"
It's certainly not expected all over in Argentina, but in upper class places even most Argentinians tip 10% and tips are certainly expected from tourists.
Lastly, don't confuse the cubierto charge (for cutlery, linen, bread, etc.) at the bottom of the bill with the tip. The cubierto surcharge goes straight to the restaurant and the tip is separate...
Cheers,
Terry
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