小費禮節

The Secrets Behind Tipping Etiquette at Hotels

Legend has it, the word "tip" itself came years
ago from a pub owner who used the acronym on a box "To Insure
Promptness." In that spirit, tipping should be thought of first and
foremost as a reward for prompt and attentive service.

In reality, tipping etiquette has evolved into
a secret subculture with hidden expectations that aren’t always well
understood by travelers. Break the secret code behind tipping
etiquette. (For a guide to who to tip (and how much), check the Hotel Tipping Guide.

Tipping Etiquette

Time Your Tipping
Depending on the timing,
tipping can be a reward for good service rendered, or a subtle bribe.
If you are using the service of one person repeatedly throughout your
trip (say, a doorman) feel free to tip all at once at the end of your
stay. If, however, you would like to ensure special service throughout
your stay (say, from the concierge), a larger tip up front is a good
idea. Tipping etiquette says either is acceptable.

Keep Bills Handy For Tipping
Keep several one
dollar bills handy in an accessible pocket. You don’t want to be
digging for them when you’re juggling luggage. Keep the bills neatly
folded in groups of one or two bills.

Don’t Ask For Change
According to tipping
etiquette, it creates a very awkward situation to ask for change from
the person you are tipping. If for some reason you don’t have a tip
ready, just skip it. You can get change from somewhere else, and return
with your tip at some point in the future.

Know Your Tipping Tendencies
Be aware of your
own unconcious tipping tendencies. Studies show women tend to tip men
more generously (and men tip women better). Tipping goes up universally
when the weather is good, lower when it is not. Attractive women earn
higher tips, as do attentive men who don’t make mistakes.

Know the Tipping Policy
Increasingly, higher-end
hotels are instituting "no tipping policies" that incude gratuities in
the price of the room. Some, particularly resorts, are charging a daily
fee that covers all gratuities. Ask when you book.

Bed and Breakfast Tipping Etiquette
In general,
tipping etiquette dictates that business owners are not given tips.
Most B&Bs fall under that category, and indeed, most have "no
tipping" policies in place. If you are in doubt, ask about their
tipping policy when you book your room. (If the housekeeping staff is
not part of the family, do tip them as you would in a hotel.)

Tipping Is Never Required
It may be expected in
many situations, but tipping is never required. Tipping hotel staff and
drivers should be at your discretion, and should be thought of as a
reward for excellent service. Don’t feel obligated to give a tip if the
service given was sub-par. On the other hand, consider giving a larger
tip for those who go out of their way to provide personalized or
stand-out service. Although it is not required, tipping etiquette says
that unless service was severely lacking in some way, do give a tip of
some sort (or at least a smile and a thank you).

Tipping Etiquette Varies Worldwide
These tipping
guidelines are for the United States only. Expectations (and tipping
amounts) can be quite a bit different in other countries. Check a
travel guide for the particular country you will be visiting for the
proper tipping etiquette.

Now that you know the secrets behind tipping etiquette, check the Hotel Tipping Guide for who to tip at a hotel (and how much to tip them).

Here’s a general tipping guide to follow
whenever you travel. Remember, tipping more or less is at your
discretion and should be guided by the quality of service you receive.
Use this tipping guide to give you an idea of the appropriate tipping
ranges.

Tipping Guide: Drivers

Tipping drivers extra is expected if they
handle your bags (tipping about $1-$2 per bag). Tipping on the higher
end if they go out of their way to help (i.e., get you to the airport
on time) is a good idea.

Tipping Guide: Checking In

• Porter/Doorman — $1-$2 per bag they help you
  with (more if it is very heavy). Tiping is not required for just
  opening a door (a smile and thank you is always appreciated).
• Bell Staff — $1-$2 per bag if they bring the bags
  to your room.  If they prepare your room and show you around, tipping
  $5-$10 should cover everything (including the bags).

Tipping Guide: In Your Room

• Room Service — In most hotels, a gratuity of
  12-15% is already included in the price of your order (check the menu).
  Tipping extra is OK, particularly if the person delivering the order
  takes extra care to set up your meal. Room service tips are generally
  "pooled," or shared between everyone. If you hand something extra to a
  person who provides you extraordinary service, he or she can keep it.
• Maids/Housekeeping Staff — A wide range is
  acceptable here, depending on the level of extra service and hotel
  level, but generally from $1-$5 per night. It is best to do your
  tipping daily, since you might have different people cleaning your
  room. (If you are tipping at the end of your stay, some suggest leaving
  it in pocket change, which would slow you down at airport security
  anyway). Whatever you decide to leave, be sure to put the money in a
  sealed envelope, clearly marked, so there is no confusion as to who it
  belongs to.
• Maintenance/Service People — For fixing something that was broken, or bringing something that was missing, tipping is not required.
• Delivery of Special Items — For a special request (like an extra blanket), $2 for one item, or $1 each for more than one item.

Tipping Guide: Coming and Going

• Doorman — $1-$2 for calling a cab; extra if
  he covers you with an umbrella in the rain, or has to actually hail a
  cab (rather than just signalling one from a cab line). If you wish,
  tipping a few bucks at the end of your stay (rather than each time) is
  fine.
• Valet Parking — $1-$2 to the attendant retreiving your car. Tipping when they park the car is optional.

Tipping Guide: Dining Out

• Waitstaff — 15-20% of the bill, excluding tax
  and expensive wine. Many restaurants automatically add a 15% gratuity
  for parties of six or more, so check the menu. You can add another 5%
  for exceptional service.
• Wine Steward/Sommelier — If they help you choose
  a bottle of wine (or choose it for you), 10-20% of the wine bill only.
  Use discretion based on how much service was provided (did he allow you
  to taste before you selected?) If the wine is very expensive, it’s
  generally acceptable to cap your tip at a reasonable amount (say, about
  $20), since you are tipping on the service received. Leave cash or
  specify on the credit card receipt which portion is for the sommelier.
• Buffet Servers — $1-$2 per person dining. Lean toward the higher end if they bring you drinks.

Tipping Guide: In the Lounge

• Bartender/Cocktail Waitress — 10-15% of the total tab. For free drinks in Las Vegas, $1-$2 per round.

Tipping Guide: Special Services

• Concierge — Tipping varies with the level of
  service provided. For simple requests like directions or restaurant
  recommendations, no tipping is required. If the concierge arranges show
  tickets or restaurant reservations, tip $2-$5. If he goes above and
  beyond (a table at the hottest restaurant in town), tip $10-$20.
• Hotel Staff — If they set up something special for you (say, for your anniversary), tip at the end of your stay.

Tipping Guide: Leisure Time

• Hair Stylists — 15% of the total bill. If someone else shampoo’d your hair, leave them $2-$5.
• Manicurist — 10-15% of the total bill.
• Massage Therapist — 15-20% of the total bill.
• Swimming Pool Attendant — Tipping is not
  required, unless you request extra service (i.e., the attendent
  inflates your pool float). If you want to keep the same pool lounges
  every day, leave $2-$3 at the beginning of your stay.

This information is from About.com