Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Personal Tipping & "House Calls"

Personal Tipping:  From hair coloring to manicures to bikini waxes, a beauty regime may seem relentless at times, but the payoff is always worth the trouble.  Your tipping tells that person that you were especially pleased with the service you received.  If you can't afford to tip everyone, then tip the person who spent the most time on you.  It is customary today to tip the owner of the salon/spa when they provide you a service, but remember to tip the employees before the owner if you must make that choice.  Tips are private - your tip is between you and your beauty service provider only.  Once you find a regular stylist, manicurist or esthetician, tipping them will become routine.

Stylist, Barber or Colorist - 15%
Stylist's Assistant - $2-$5
Manicurist or Pedicurist - 15%
Facialist or Esthetician - 15%
Massage Therapist - 15%
Car Wash Attendant - $2
Dry Cleaner/Tailor - no tip

"House Calls" - Home deliveries and house calls come in a variety of forms and so will your tips.  How much you tip will depend on the item or service, and the amount of time the service provider spent in your home.  A delivery person who brings pizza to your doorstep won't stick around for long (small tip), but the guys bringing your new sofa might spend a lot of time in your home before they leave (larger tip).  If you have booked in-home entertainment for a soiree, then tip more for the added convenience.  For a rush or last-minute service request, tip more to recognize the accommodating service.  Always tip in cash, and give a bonus at holiday time (double your average fee).

Delivery person - $2-$10
Floral Delivery - $2
Movers - $10/person
Personal Care Providers - 15-20%
Baby sitters - no tip
House Party Entertainer - 15%
Bartender/Caterer - 15%
It is legal for a U.S. postal worker or letter carrier to accept a cash tip of up to $20.
Weddings and other special events are under different protocols, as are cruises, casinos, and international travel.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Transportation & Lodging Tipping

Transportation:  Getting from here to there, whether for business or pleasure, is a necessary and unavoidable part of  modern life.  Many people are involved in getting you from Point A to Point B.  How you tip will depend on the type of transportation you choose and the quality of service you receive along the way.  From the skycap who helps you check your large bags to the taxi driver who makes sure you arrive on time, they all help to make your journey safe, timely and hassle-free.  Tip them for their service, as you would a waiter or bartender, and keep in mind, the more expensive the mode of transportation the more you will be expected to tip.  Suggestions for appropriate tips:
Cabdriver - 10%
Airport Skycap - $2 per bag
Airport Cart Driver/Wheelchair Assistant - $2-$3 per person
Tour Guide -  $1-$10 per day
Shuttle Bus Driver - 15%
Limousine or Car-Service Driver - 15-20%
Train Redcap or Porter - $1-$2 per bag, or service
Train Dining-Car Wait Staff - 15%

Lodging:  Any experienced traveler knows that the quality of one's stay is in the hands of the hotel staff.  Unfortunately, people often forget to budget for tips as they plan their trip.  To avoid surprises, include tipping in your budget ahead of time, and tuck 15-20 $1 bills into your pocket to cover your tips upon arrival.  When staying at a hotel there is a whole range of services and people available to you - from the doorman who welcomes and assists you with packages to the concierge who gets you into the most popular restaurant.  How you utilize each person and the services they offer varies greatly as well as the tipping protocol.  Here are some tipping suggestions for you:
Doorman - $1-$3
Bell staff - $1-$2 per bag
Concierge - $5
Front-Desk Clerk - no tip
Housekeeper - $2-$4 per night
Room Service Staff - 15%
Poolside Attendant - $2-$5

Have a great vacation!


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Tipping When Dining Out

Whether you're dining in style at a five-star restaurant or grabbing a burger at a local eatery, tipping will be part of your dining experience.  For the restaurant staff, your tip is a direct and vital report card for their overall level of service.  But how much should you tip, when and to whom? 

Server - 15% - 20%
The server's basic duties include answering questions about the menu; taking your order; delivering your food and drink properly; and bringing necessities such as condiments, napkins, and an extra plate to the table in a courteous manner.  Your server should check back to see if everything is all right or if you need anything else and should present the bill in a timely fashion at the end of your meal.  The server should never disappear for long; he or she should stay nearby in case you need another drink or the check.  If these services are performed well, a tip of no less than 15% is justified.  Always tip your server at the end of the meal when you are paying the bill.  Tip on the total amount before tax.  When paying cash, take the tip from the change you receive  and leave it on the table.  If you feel you have received exceptional service, it's nice to hand the tip to your server directly and say thank you.  When paying by credit card, fill in the tip amount on the credit slip and leave it on the table.  If you have a server who provides you with especially attentive or helpful service such as assisting with elderly guests, accommodating special food requests, or helping you get your children seated and settled in, tip him or her extra.

Certain situations call for extra tipping.  A server or host who anticipates your needs or spends extra time assisting someone at your table, perhaps helping your elderly aunt with her coat, or bringing your kids crayons or toys, deserves added recognition from you.  And remember, an extra tip doesn't always have to be paid in cash.  Notes, cards, and letters to the management are appreciated.

Other tipping:
Bartender:  15-20% or $1 per drink
Bus Person:  no tip
Sommelier:  20%
Counter Person:  15-20%Coat-Check & Washroom Attendant:  no tip
Host/Maitre D':  no tip
Parking Valet:  $2

Tipping Etiquette

Let's face it: tipping can be confusing, embarassing and awkward.  Whether you want to convey your satisfaction or disappointment, tipping can often seem like a mysterious ritual with no written rules.  Now more than ever our lives seem busier and as a result we want faster and better service.  As we demand more services, there are, in turn, more people to tip.  Suddenly a short list of tipping recipients that was once limited to hair dressers, cabbies, waiters, and hotel doormen has expanded to include everyone from dog groomers to the cashiers at your local coffeehouse.  Deciding whether to tip for these basic services has brcome a bewildering process. 

We all want to be courteous and do the right thing when it comes to thanking someone for good service, but you have the right to know what you are paying for, what the appropriate tip is, and how not to waste your hard-earned cash.  How you express your appreciation (or lack thereof) will be remembered by the people who provide you with the services.  The greater you show your appreciation, the greater the likelihood that you'll receive excellent service from them in the future.

"A fair tip, or one on the generous side, will leave a pleasant feeling and respect for you in the one who receives it.  A lavish one will create a secret disrespect and add to the reputation Americans have for trying to buy their way into everything."  Eleanor Roosevelt

The origin of the practice of tipping is unclear, but it may have begun in the late Middle Ages with the idea that a sum of money might be given in exchange for something extra, whether it be services of effort.  Some sources state that in sixteenth-century England bar "tavern" patrons would toss coins off the table to get better service. 

Dining Out - my next blog post for restaurant tipping.  Check out "The Itty Bitty Guide To Tipping," by Stacie Krajcgia and Carrie Rosten

Friday, May 18, 2012

Cash Gifts & Graduates

Perfectly Polished: Cash gifts & graduates: Whether it’s marking the end of middle school, high school, or college, graduation is a thrilling time. It’s a moment to celebrate, t...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Sugar Makes You Stupid

Sugar makes you stupid

A dear friend just sent this article to me, and my eldest daughter just wrote a blog about clean eating.  Food for thought?