USVI-On-Line

California Girl wrote:

turtlegirl wrote:You tip maids at a hotel because they're cleaning your room daily as well as making your bed and changing your towels.

Unless I totally trash a hotel room (and I haven't done that since my Rock Star days - LOL!) I don't see why a person should tip a hotel maid. Cleaning the room, making the bed, and changing the towels is her job... that's what she gets paid for. If a maid should do something over and above, then I think a tip is definitely in order.

Using that logic, why tip a waiter? Just doing his/her job.

As a former waitperson, remember that waitstaff is legally paid less than the minimum wage. Back in my day I was paid $2.10 an hour, tips had to make up the rest. I was fine with it as most nights I'd make around $15-30/hour. I tip very generously in restaurants as a result of my own experiences.

A waiter dependent on tips to make a decent wage is a different thing than a villa greeter contracted at a fair price to pick up guests and lead them to the house.

Though again, if someone went above and beyond, I would tip gladly. If they are just here's the house, here are the keys ... not so much.

I think the thing is that we assume to know that a server's compensation is structured purposely so that the server has to rely on tips - that seems to be a pretty common thing, unfortunately.

On the flip side, some assume that a decent to really good wage is being paid to housekeepers and greeters for their services. It's my opinion that compensation for these services varies from company to company and even island to island. Greeters and Housekeepers do come into contact with the guest more so than a groundskeeper or even a pool maintenance person so maybe their company anticipates that they will be offered gratuities and figures that into their compensation a bit.

I don't want to think that hard about who makes what from whom for what - it's vacation and I'd rather concentrate on sun and rum, so we just stick to not overthinking things and offer a tip for good service. It may be turned down - that's happened to us, too - but we appreciate it when things are done for us so we will continue to offer.

DaveS007 wrote:Using that logic, why tip a waiter? Just doing his/her job.

What is it with you Dave? Do you just like picking on me, or what?

As flip-flop said, I know that wait staff are paid less than minimum and are dependent on tips to make up the rest of their salary, so there IS a difference and a logic between tipping a waiter and tipping a hotel maid. At the same time, if a waiter/waitress gives me lousy service, I still tip them... about 25 cents. This way they know I didn't forget the tip, I just didn't think their service was worth it.

A tip is a gratuity for excellent service and for going above and beyond "the job". I don't tip for bad service or for service that is standard within the scope of a person's job, like at an ice cream shop with a jar on the counter.

That being said, there is a deli across from where I work. They have a jar on the counter, and I ALWAYS drop my change in it because they give me EXCELLENT service. They know what my "usual" order is, they give me "freebies" on occasion, and they know how I like my bacon cooked. I even occasionally bring them presents from various trips! In return, I get super service, not because they want tips & presents, but because that's what they do all the time! It's nice to get good customer service in an age where customer service doesn't seem to exist any more.

If you have read all of my posts in this thread, you will notice that there is not a single instance where I have said I didn't tip someone. So what's your problem? If you're just looking to start up an argument, you won't get one from me.

Did someone say BACON? Ut oh ... here come the boys.

Avocado is good brain fat. It's ok, it negates the bacon. Now we all see why I should be over on the OT diet thread as well!

Ohhhh, that breakfast quesadilla sounds heavenly! I'd definitely tip for THAT -

- Margy

California Girl wrote:That deli makes me the best cheddar, avocado & bacon quesadillas for breakfast!

Ok, now I need to go repent on the diet thread on the OT forum! LOL!

No fair!
In Jersey, this is what passes for a breakfast sandwich. Don't stare too hard, an artery or 2 may slam shut.

jmq wrote:No fair!
In Jersey, this is what passes for a breakfast sandwich. Don't stare too hard, an artery or 2 may slam shut.

When I look at that picture, I get a mental image of Redd Foxx grabbing his chest and saying, "I'm comin' to join ya' Elizabeth!"

OH MY LORD!!!!

But, Emeril was sure right - it's ALL about the pork fat, folks...

- Margy

This subject has been discussed at length here several times and I think the general consensus is that unless the villa greeter goes above and beyond the call of duty a tip is not necessary.

I have never had more service than the basic “here are your keys” thus I have never tipped a villa greeter. I have also never needed more than the basics so I've been happy with the service I've gotten.

I do tip well at restaurants