Tipping from The Women’s Travel Group. It seems that each time we turn around, we have to tip someone? Tipping used to be at ‘sit down’ restaurants’, in a taxi, for a porter who actually carries your bags. Now the Dunkin Donuts cashier has a tipping jar. Restaurant bills end with tip suggestions from 15%-25%. Even the cashless bakery, where I buy one lone cookie, now has a suggested tip on its credit card form?
What is this trend? Do you have to oblige? How does it apply to a tour when the meals, guides and drivers are included?
Meals: for restaurants, we used to tip twice the tax or about 15% in New York for sit down meals. For a drink at the bar, a $1 was the custom. If we carried a meal to Burger King table, or took turkey sandwiches to the office, we did not tip. Today it might be appropriate to tip because inflation has hurt low wage earners. At the least, you can empty your change in the tip jar.
For meals included in our tours, tips are prepaid. While in Europe and, not on a tour, casual restaurant or bar staff do not expect a tip. (Glance at the check anyway, service might be included. (Clearly you might not understand a bill in Czech; every waiter knows the English word tip.).
At a bar, most leave a $dollar for bar staff. Overseas, look around. If there is no jar and others are not tipping, follow their lead.
On our tours, we send a tipping recommendation list. Mixed local and US cash is fine for drivers and the tour manager. No coins.
Housekeeping: leave them $3-5 per day at the end of your stay; their chores are less than pleasant. Be a sport.
We offer single special river cruises. For tips on river cruises, most women are comfortable putting $200 on a credit card at the end. Paying at the end, eliminates fumbling for cash at meals and at the bar. The exception is for step-on guides for each excursion. $5 per person is good, $10 is great. US cash is happily accepted, bills not coins. Clean bills, not inked or torn.
In the US we tip taxi drivers. Today taxi costs include tolls, peak time and out of area surcharges. Your tip ends up being a great deal of money. You do NOT have to tip based on the extra costs; tip on the base amount. In Europe, taxi drivers do not expect tips. Having said that, if you have a lot of luggage, and need considerable help, be a good soul and tip.
On our tours hotel porters are usually pre-tipped. After bringing bags to the room, they might hang around looking for a tip. If pre tipped, you do not have to tip again. Embarrassing if they stand there? Yes. Uncomfortable? Yes. Airport porters who accept bags outside the terminal? Generally there is a urban myth that your bag will disappear if you don’t tip. $2 per bag gets you to relax. In Europe, porters’ help usually has a set fee (local currency).
Finally do you tip wheelchair assistants, yes. $5-10 minimum is the norm. The tip depends on the time needed. For instance, they wait while you use the ladies room or while the flight is being loaded? Bigger tip.
Does all this sound dizzying? Be prepared, bring a hefty roll of $1 unmarked and unworn for any trip. Travel tips from award winning The Women’s Travel Group, www.thewomenstravelgroup.com. Email us if your tipping worries remain: http://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/
