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

[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.