Question about tipping???

[RVBama]

Hey! Everyone has been so helpful as we approach our trip.. I have one more question, about tipping.

1.Is it necessary to tip the villa representative that takes you to your villa and shows you everything.

2.If one takes a charter like Palm Tree Charters, is a tip necessary or does the captain factor that in his price. It seems pretty steep already and just wasn't sure about additional tips.

Also,
I am assuming that restaurants tip are like in the states.

thanks!!

[greyhoundmom]

I don't tip the villa reps. Unless they have gone out of their way to do something special for last minute, they are getting paid for their time. I tip 20% at restaurants if the service is excellent, 15% if it is good, 10% if it is poor. Even poor service deserves 10%. Way back when I used to serve and a lot of times it was not the server's fault if food didn't come out in a timely manner or too cold. I always give Capt. Phil a very nice tip because he and Tarn are amazing hosts for your day sail. I'm sure everyone won't agree with me but that's just what I do.

[Lulu76]

I have never tipped a villa greeter. I have been told time and time again that is a service included in the price of the rental, and I haven't had service worth tipping (like getting stranded at the ferry dock for two hours).

I tip good cab drivers. Because if you tip them well, they will take care of you during your whole stay and I like that.

Restaurants I tip an average of 15%, depending on service. Same lines as what Greyhound Mom said.

I do tip the boat crew on a chartered trip.

I don't usually tip the guys who throw my luggage on the ferry dock, but mostly because they bark at me "reminding" me to tip them, and I don't tip anyone who asks/demands for a tip. A tip is something extra I give you to thank you for doing a good job for me.

Which reminds me, since you say you are new. At the airport and at the ferries there are people who will try to "help" you with your luggage. They are not doing it to be nice. They will expect payment. (See above.) If you don't want to pay them, then pick up and check your bags yourself. It wasn't something I was used to the first time I saw it, but now I just say "It's OK, I've got it." They do provide a nice service, but that's one less drink at the beach bar.

[waterguy]

I always tip in cash, don't tip villa reps I will tip the on a boat trip if the captain doesn't own the boat also I'll tip the first mate as I have did this job from time to time on the great lakes chater boats we worked for tips only and to get our time in so we could take the test to be charter captains Never tip the ferry since they started charging for bags

[greyhoundmom]

After reading Lulu's, I remembered our first experience many years ago at Red Hook waiting for the ferry (before the great new Red Hook dock). We got out of the cab and a guy came over and immediately asked us if we needed help with our bags while trying to take them out of the taxi. Hubs said no, we have them, and he was very angry and cursing. He didn't get our bags and we were sort of stunned by his reaction. We were newbies and had seriously overpacked! Ended up talking to a great older couple who lived on St. Croix who explained that the gentleman was "challenged" and we were right in being assertive about our bags. That is not the norm. Today, we only do a backpack carry-on.

[Timethief]

We've only stayed on St John the once, and I did tip the kid who took us to the villa. I tipped him because I liked him, and because I knew that whatever I wanted or needed, he would have done his damnedest to satisfy. I cannot say that it would have phased me, though, to not have tipped him if the converse was true.

I would definitely tip the captain if he didn't own the boat, and if we had a great time, would regardless. I would probably tip the crew regardless, but far better if we liked them, etc. because I know they don't make a whole lot of money to be there, so they are reliant on the tips. Also, we have yet to have a bad crew or trip!

I tipped the guys doing the luggage only once, because they were really great that trip. Can't say I have seen them asking or pushing for a tip.

I tend to have very simple standards - do a good job, keep me happy, don't tick me off (amazing how some people feel entitled - regardless of the fact that they decided to do a job that requires them to take care of you!), and you get tipped really well. I figure we are doing pretty well (better than most of the people who take care of us - especially on the islands!), so why not help someone else out. But to each their own.

Have a great trip!

Keep Smiling!!!

[bubblybrenda]

Hmmm... this is a good thread and I've learned a few things. I'm embarassed to say I didn't tip Capt'n Phil when he took me out and I didn't realize I should. I figured he owns the boat, he sets the price so why does he need a tip on top of that. Surely his price allows for a profit margin in there. But, he and Tarn did provide an excellent day trip and I am glad to now be enlightend by your comments and now that I know better I'll do better next time.

[Exit Zero]

Not tipping a boat crew - whether they own the boat or what - since they have taken personal care of you for hours in a very professional style - and perhaps imparted very caring and valuable experience, is simply inconsiderate and thoughtless.
That said: tipping is certainly up to the individual and should reflect the effort and attentiveness of the beneficiary----- no matter what.

[stjohnjulie]

I tip big, but I also live here and see these people all of the time. Even if I go someplace and don't like it, I still tip 20%, I just don't go back. I usually tip 30-40%, unless I'm getting drinks, then it's more like 75%.

For most boat trips we tip around $150 to $200 for the day (this is with a boat load of girls). The guides usually make about $100 a day, so they are counting on their tips. I asked one of the captains what kind of tips they got and it varied widely, from $0 to $2,500 for a single day.

I've never uses a villa greeter, but I have done a few pickups in the past and was generally tipped something. The place I worked for, I was responsible for checking out the villa and putting together a welcome basket prior to arrival. Then I had to meet the people at the dock, which can be tricky because you are never sure which ferry they will make. You can spend a lot of time waiting around. We were given $50 for a pick up, and it wasn't unusual for the whole process to take 3 or 4 hours from start to finish.

[ShipwreckPat]

Speaking on restaurant tipping, everyone should be aware that many restaurants include a gratuity automatically on parties of six or more.My staff are instructed to clearly indicate it on the check, verbally tell the party and offer to remove it if desired. My intention is to make you aware of this as not all establishments make it so clear and they hope you not to notice and tip on top of that. I have been told by quite a few customers that this has happened to them so look your check over if traveling in a group.

[Gromit]

We tip the taxi driver. Usually round up an extra $5.

We have on occasion tipped the villa greeter esp if they put some of our luggage in their vehicle. Usually $10-$20 but not always.

For restaurants when we pay with CC we always tip in cash. It's generally preferred by servers and that way they get the entire tip and don't lose a percentage.

We generally tip 20% but if the service sucks it can be a lot less. Bearing in mind that STJ is on island time, I drastically adjust my expectations accordingly. In other words I just don't expect the same level of service and timing that I would get at home. SO if they get my order right and it shows up sometime that day (preferably before I get so hungry I chew off my own arm) I'm good.

[bubblybrenda]

ExitZero I can only presume you chose the words "careless and thoughtless" without thinking of the negative impact of your chosen words or, alternatively, that you indeed chose them very carefully.

My not tipping the boat crew was not "careless and thoughtless". As I mentioned, I presumed, rightly or wrongly, that the cost would have a profit margin attached to it. As I mentioned, I did not know any better. Now that I know better, due to the POSITIVE comments on this thread, I will ensure to tip appropriately in the future.

[Exit Zero]

I said it was up to the individual -- no matter what -- I did not use the word careless or whatever that other word you spelled is. I did say thoughtless.

[designbyroe]

I tip for all services and have always been a big tipper. I know how hard service people work and how $$$ it is to live on island.
Also I tip in cash, I do tip the guys on the ferry who put my luggage on, maybe that is why they do not yell at me.....
I have never stayed in a villa (but once) so never had to tip there.

[liamsaunt]

I know some people don't tip the villa greeter but I usually give them $20 unless they have done something to annoy me (like keep us waiting for them at the dock, etc.)...I've never had anyone refuse it.

I always assumed you were supposed to tip 20% on boat charters.