Tipping etiquette and Jamaica.

Here is one, Jackie and I were unsure of when we were down in Jamaica.

We pretty much tipped everyone we would tip here in America. Cab drivers, Bartenders, Food servers, Baggage handlers etc... I usually leave a 20% tip here on a bill in the USA. If the service is great I will leave more. If the service is terrible, I will generally leave 15%.

I understand that many people visit from Europe and Canada, and tipping etiquette may not be the same.

So what is the standard in Jamaica? Or do the people there, come to expect one thing from one group of people and something from someone else?

you are a generous tipper. surprised you would leave 15% for terrible service.???

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Originally Posted by original spanky

you are a generous tipper. surprised you would leave 15% for terrible service.???

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Absolutely. 15% I worked my way through college in the service industry. In the states you make like 3 bucks an hour and depend on the tips to survive. If I have a bad day at my office job, I still get paid the same as I would on a great day. So that's kind of how I look at it.

After 9 trips in the 3 years since I returned I've averaged 28.6% on food, drink, transportation, housekeeping etc.

i tip like at home - the only difference is i make sure it goes directly into the hand that i want to have it - no just leaving it on the table . . .

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Originally Posted by captaind

After 9 trips in the 3 years since I returned I've averaged 28.6% on food, drink, transportation, housekeeping etc.

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I love how you have it down to the tenth of the percent!!!

One thing I make sure that I take care of housekeeping staff. Waiters and barmen get their due but housekeeping get forgotten sometimes.hh

This is a good topic. I always tip at restaurants like I do at home, and make sure I take care of any hotel staff that has provided any service for us. I also tip taxi drivers a couple bucks at each drop-off. I've heard drivers complain that some tourists negotiate a price and then don't tip on top of that.

However, I am still a little confused about places that charge a "Service Charge" (i.e. Ivan's). I have heard that the Service Charge is a tip and that you are welcome add to it if the service is good. I've also read on some websites that the Service Charge is not considered a tip, and you are expected to tip a full 15-20% on top of that. What's the right answer?

I don't tip on top of negotiated rates on Taxis, it's not like they're running a meter in the states.
I too get confused at the service charges, especially those added on top of room rates. The owners state not to tip since that money goes into a pool for all the employees, but it seems like everyone expects something extra.

"Tip all ya can afford, they need it........Smile more then you can afford, you need it"
:)
Have a SAFE Weekend