USVI-On-Line

This tipping of owners has long had me stumped. When I was growing up, any owners I ever encountered would not accept tips. Now they gladly have their hand out. It makes me uncomfortable and I never know what to do so I avoid using owners.

I have to say, I don't understand why anyone tips a villa greeter under normal circumstances. If you're late and it's after hours, sure. If they perform a special service, sure. We're having our ship-ahead boxes sent to the villa rep, and the greeter will bring them to us, and I think that deserves a tip.

Our villa rents for $5400, and though I don't know how much of that the company takes, it's certainly enough to pay a greeter. To me, having to tip on top of that is an insult. I appreciate the service that's offered to me, but I think I've already paid for it.

I have been in the restaurant business all of my life. My mother managed the same restaurant for over 20 years. I started working in the restaurant at age 13 and continued there and in other restaurants up until about 6 years ago. I was also a rental manager for a STJ villa agency.

I tip like a rock star. I tip for to-go food, I tip at Dunkin donuts, I tip almost all the time.

I do not tip the greeter. I never received one and never expected one. The greeter is being paid to get you and bring you to the villa, they do not work for tips.

I always tip taxi drivers, in STJ, in NYC, etc. I am not sure why, I just always have.

I carry my own bags. And I do not tip the guy who takes it from me and puts it on the boat. I am paying for each bag to be on the boat and I don’t feel the need to tip the person who puts it there.. I would prefer to carry it myself, like the old days, but they don’t let me so I am not going to tip someone for doing something that I am more than capable of and willing to do.

I agree with X!

I also agree with X but for different reasons. When I started going to St.John, they didn't charge you for luggage in a taxi or on the ferry, so I tipped, but they are now both charging you a fee up front for you luggage, so why pay again? I will however tip for great service,even if it's the owners business,such as a boat charter, dive guide, massage etc.

jmq wrote:How about the "tipping the owner" question...
i.e. the owner of the hair salon cuts your hair, do you tip them? I do not.
And to bring it into island context, if the owner of a daysail or power boat takes you out by himself (no crew), do you tip them?

haha...that's funny, i always tip up to the nearest 5.

Jenrale,

I mostly agree w/what you said, except the taxi driver because driving 2000lbs of people on an island w/gas over $4 a gallon in a van that doesn't get good mpg can add up. our cabbies charge $45 dollars to go 10 miles for one to 5 people and we still tip. It's a service, and if they performed it better or as expected i feel compelled to tip. And i admit i misinterpreted your tipping of baggage handlers, i think that it's acceptable to tip only 1-2 bucks if you are doing carry-on i was under the imperssion you had a couple bags each.

Nope not going to say it I'm just walking away