Tipping our vacation away!

[mrsltg]

In general I feel that people have lost sight of what tipping is for. Tipping is a reward for good service. I don't give a wink and a nod when my server greets me in a restaurant saying, "if you do well, I'll give you 20%". I expect that the service will be worth 20%... disappoint me, and I'll start ticking off in my head.... 19, 18, 17...etc.

I don't expect anyone to carry my bags for me. I don't expect anyone to unload my car for me. Should you see me struggling and offer to help (as a bellman) I'll tip you... but not per bag.

I do tip people like limo and cab drivers. I tip, again, based upon the service they render.

I am far from being cheap or ignorant. I work hard for the money that I earn... do the same for me, and I'll share!

Erin

 

[indigo]

Indigo- just curious about the figures you gave- could you explain for all of us how much of that is actually your "bring home" amount versus how much is taken out for taxes, etc.. ex. if a bellman makes $200 on tips how much is for taxes and how much would be his. Thanks.

Not sure how accurate these figures will be. Remember all figures are for Bell positions here in Las Vegas, NV. Let's say a bellman makes $500 in tips on average over a 40 hour work week ($25,000 a year (assuming two untipped vacation weeks)). In Nevada there is no state income tax, so he'd just be responsible for the federal taxes (between 18% and 33% depending on yearly earnings). So that's about 400 a week in take home from tips.

Hourly rates in Las Vegas for bellmen range between $5.50 and $9.50 an hour. At $9.50 an hour that's a $19,760 (2080 hours) job. At $5.50 that's just $11,440.

Add the two together and you get a range of $36,000 to $44,000 before tax OR $28,000 to $35,000 take home. This allows some bellmen to actually own a house and support their family. A unique thing for bell positions across the nation. Bellmen at the large casino/hotels in Las Vegas are probably the best compensated in the nation (on average).

Now this is just for the Bellman position ( the person that brings your luggage from the storage room to your room ). Baggage Handlers make much less in tips, but typically make $0.50 - $1.00 an hour more in wages as they are the true front line for the hotel and greet the guests first.

Does this answer your questions.

-Indigo

 

[fireplug]

Having never been too shy to wade into the controversials threads
Here I go.....

I try to tip a little extra to anyone who goes out of their way to give extra service.

I do not have a set amount for any service IE: wait-staff, baggage handlers etc

I am neither cheap nor ignorant. I do not feel that a TIP is mandatory. I know that wait-staff are not always well paid and rely on tips to make up the difference. You should get quality service then reward them for it. The fact that someone walks into a kitchen with an order then carries out my dinner does not neccessarily mean they deserve a 20% tip. The fact that someone changes sheets and vacuums doesn't mean they deserve a tip. If they do a little something extra like towel animal or something else, I am happy to reward them.

Steve