tip amounts

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:38 pm

We will be leaving for STJ in 3 days.

Could someone please remind me of tipping amounts? Taxi driver from airport to ferry? The people that load the luggage onto the ferry? We have never stayed in a villa before. Is is customary to tip the villa manager who meets you at the ferry etc? Thanks

jenrale · Post by **jenrale** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:49 pm

I'll probably catch it for this, but we don't tip the taxi driver. We give a buck a bag to the ferry loaders, and usually 20 to the person bringing us to the villa. Seems cheap, I know, but nobody tips me for doing my job...... Jenrale

VayCay · Post by **VayCay** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:18 pm

jenrale wrote:I'll probably catch it for this, but we don't tip the taxi driver. We give a buck a bag to the ferry loaders, and usually 20 to the person bringing us to the villa. Seems cheap, I know, but nobody tips me for doing my job...... Jenrale

Not trying to knock you for your tipping policy, but i did think i would share my philosophy about this subject since it's been brought up. I would have to imagine that your job probably pays you well enough that you don't have to work for tips as myself and others do, and that is great. But, 10:1 odds says you work for a bonus every year. I'd call that a big annual tip. So we earn our "bonus" daily, and more often than not depend on those tips to make ends meat. I don't make a lot but I almost always tip 20% at sit-down places.

VayCay

P.S. : the generally accepted tipping chart below
20% + = excelent service
15% - 20% = good to average
10% - 15% = average to adequate
10% - 0% = adequate to terrible

for cabbies/delievery drivers/villa managers i think 5% - 10% is totally adequate (i.e. a 30 dollar cab ride gets 3 bucks or $3000/wk villa manager gets $150) like that movie "pay it forward".

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DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:29 pm

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suzi · Post by **suzi** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:37 pm

I always tip on the high side...servers, taxi drivers, ferry guys...but I never tipped the villa person, whether it be the manager or employee of the agency. Have I been wrong for the past 8 years????

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:39 pm

I don't tip the baggage handlers any more since they started charging for baggage on the ferry. Also I don't tip the villa management they are taking 30 to 40% of the cost of the villa already I do tip well for wait staff and boat crews. I don't use a greeter for the villas I stay at now so no need there. I don't use porters at the air port on the way to the island but do on the way home she asked for 3 dollars per bag we had 3 I gave her a 20. No one tips me I don't think they should and no I don't get a bouns.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:52 pm

I never tip the villa person and as a former villa manger, I never received one either.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:59 pm

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flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:02 pm

I don't tip the villa people. I do tip servers and drivers. About 10-20% depending on how helpful they are and what they are providing me. When I have 10 bags I tip way more generously than I do when a cabbie drops me and my one carry-on off.

Ksea · Post by **Ksea** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:36 pm

I did not tip the Villa guy. I did tip the taxi driver and the ferry guys and of course the servers and bartenders.

Bug · Post by **Bug** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:11 pm

I practically tip everyone with the exception of the villa greeter/mgmt co. I tip approx. 20%. I'm in a good mood when I'm on vacation. I save and skimp all year to go. I'm refuse to be thrifty there. I spend like a wealthy person then go home to my empty bank account

It's OK though, cuz I just start the process all over again!

XOXO
Bug

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:00 pm

Unless someone gives me bad service, I tip 20% by default.

On an 8 dollar cab ride, I would tip up and give the guy 2 bucks, and if he really helped me out, I would give him more.

Bellman, etc., get about 4 dollars a bag.

I do not tip the villa greeter. That service, to me, has always seemed to be part of what the villa mgmt. company is supposed to do as part of the 'basics.'

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:02 pm

As long as the service is good we put down a 20% tip at restaurants....closer to 25% for really good service.

We never tip the villa company.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:19 pm

I have not read all of the responses to this thread so be kind, if I repeat someone else's thoughts...our internet service here is a little dicey so I need to get this in while I can.

Tip well, tip often. It will come back to you in spades. Buy locals a drink, if you have a chat with them. Be kind.

It's their island and not ours.

Enjoy.

Now, it's time to find someplace to eat OUT to help the local economy.

We are hungry and there is food to be had here on island. Hummmmmm, where to go?

Barb Y · Post by **Barb Y** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:42 pm

Bug, I agree with you 100%. Be happy, live large, and be generous when you can swing it.
I have worked in the past where tips were the larger part of my income, so I am always aware of others working mainly for tips. Thank God for tax returns STJ here I come.

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tip amounts

tip amounts