Opinions Wanted -- Tipping?

[kybearfuzz]

I'm usually a good tipper when it comes to restaurants unless the service is just horrible. However, when it comes to other services, I have no idea how much is an appropriate tip.

What do you consider to be an appropriate tip for the following?

1. A taxi ride (use $12 as an fare amount if you want)?
   
2. A haircut?
   
3. A hotel maid service?

Are there instances, like the maid service, where you don't feel you should leave a tip, or do you leave one if the room is necessarily messy?

Just curious...

Comments

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

There are manners websites that tell you the "right" amounts, but I guess I'm stingy since I often disagree on the amount suggested for "miscellaneous" services like that. I generally stick to a 15-20% rule. I don't think I've ever tipped a hotel maid before.

The rules are different here than in Ireland too, btw ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm not an expert, so I go by how I feel about the individual. In general:

1. If it was $12, I'd tip $2.00.
2. I use a barber, so normally I don't tip. However, if he works on my beard, eyebrows, etc .. I will sometimes tip 10%.
3. If I'm in a hotel overnight, I don't usually tip. If I'm at a place, as I've been on some of my show tours, for quite awhile and the hoursekeeper/maid does a great job, I can be generous. I had a Chinese maid in Toronto for 6 weeks who went out of her way to take care of me; in turn, I'm a neat freak and made sure I didn't create much work for her:) I tipped her $20 a week.

I'm reading this back .. When I have the funds, I really should tip more:) I guess the answer is .. Do what you think feels right.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I admit I can be a good tipper, but there are other times when I didn't even think to tip someone.
1. I would say $2
2. I use the same barber, and he does a great job. I usually tip him a few extra dollars.
3. I usually don't tip to be honest, but maybe now I should rethink that!

[kay-bee17.livejournal.com]

Well if you actually see the maid and she does a good job, I'd say tip her every now and then...but I wouldn't like leave it laying on a table for her or something like that...they're MOST likely discouraged from picking peoples' money up and taking it from the room :)

Okay probably not a very useful comment but I'm sitting on my ass at work (hehe...and I'm a janitor!...don't tell) not doing what i should be, but oh well...no one else is here so what're they gonna do? And I'm getting a new job in like 6 weeks.

[ericdabear.livejournal.com]

1) If your fare was $12 I'd probably go no higher than giving the guy $15 and saying keep the change. Sure, that's 25% but at that low sum it's more a matter of convenience in what bills you have on you.

2) Same kind of scenario but since I typically pay for a haircut with my debit card I have more leeway. I can get pretty particular about this .. if the stylist was really attentive and was professional and courteous and I felt like they did a really good job I'll go a bit higher.

3) As a former housekeeper at a hotel I can tell you the task is typically a thankless one. I was always thrilled to find two dollars or so in any given room. Basically the amount they get in tips (back for the summers I did it anyway) might buy them a decent lunch.

Again, it just depends on: 1) how long you stayed, 2) the quality of the job they did and 3) the general condition of the room they had to clean up when you left each day.

A good thing to bear in mind: Tips are generally accepted at the END of the stay, once you've checked out. Some people might just leave money around so on days when you're not checking out most maids will not touch it (because there's a possibility of the guest claiming theft). If you want to leave a tip before the end of your stay, use the card they frequently sign on the nightstand and attach it to the tip.

[snowboardjoe.livejournal.com]

I never thought about leaving the tip just on the day you leave. I did not even know to tip housekeeping until recently. Granted, I do leave the room pretty much spotless, but they still have to clean several things like the bathroom. Good point as well by leaving a tip attached to their card to make it clear that money is for them and not left out casually.

[thespisgeoff.livejournal.com]

$2-3 for the cab fare.

Haircuts, I tip $3-10, depending on the price and the attention of the stylist. If I'm paying say $15 for a haircut but getting $25 of attention, I'll pay the $25. Normally, though, it's $3-5.

For hotel tipping, the rule of thumb is to tip the maid $3-5 for each day you've stayed - $20 for a workweek, say. Leave it when you've left the room to check out.

[pocochon.livejournal.com]

1.- Taxi = never taken a cab... LOL, I guess I would not tip.
2.- Haircut = always tip 20%
3.- Hotel = it depends if they are nice or not.

Ohhh, wait a minute.. for a moment I forgot you were in Europe. Now, that is another story!

[bonafidebear.livejournal.com]

1. $12 + $3 = $15
2. $13.95 + $4.00 (if it's good, $3 if it's not so good) = $17.95
3. Never tipped a maid before, but I usually give $2 to the valet when they pull my car around

[polomex.livejournal.com]

Reading over this, I find it strange that people tip the person driving them from one place to another, tip the person who takes their lunch order, but don't tip the person who probably does more work than the two combined: cleaning the room, picking up towels, making the bed, etc. I know I hate cleaning, so I am more than willing to show my appreciation to those who are doing it for me.

[bookish-cub.livejournal.com]

For situations like 1 and 2, my rule of thumb is to not get change back. I took a cab home from the airport last month, and the fare came to $18 so I gave the driver $25. My barber charges $15 for a haircut so I always give him a twenty. I'd never heard of leaving a tip for the hotel maid until I'd stayed in one with Steve for the first time, and I think that he usually leaves $5 for each night's stay when he checks out.

[snowboardjoe.livejournal.com]

I posted this same topic back in February so have a look at that too. As for your questions specifically:

1. $3
2. 15-20%
3. Still not sure on this as I have not done it before, but will start now.