Who do you tip and how much?
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Who do you tip and how much?
Restaurants with servers; 15 per cent, more or less, same as home.
Hotel housekeepers, a couple of dollars a day for routine service, more if they do something above and beyond.
I usually leave a couple of dollars or all my Jamaican change in my pocket and some chocolates or candies, etc.
I always tip in cash, same % as at home and give it personally to the server. One other thing I've noticed: write-in tips on a credit card receipt do not always get passed along to the server. I hope this is more a cash flow issue for some places rather than owners cheating the servers.
What ever we tip is given personally. Know of some envelopes left for servers or housekeepers that never make it into those hands.
I asked the staff at the Rondel what happens to the tip if you write it on the bill. They said it gets spread around..eventually...sometimes only a month later. If you want to tip someone do it personally
..and discreetly in some cases. I left $5.00 a day for housekeeping and gifts. 15% as a rule for meals and I tipped the security $5 a couple of times.
I'm the outcast lol I tip for good service. I don't let anyone make me feel I have to. If I did them they should just charge me for it as it is expected. Don't take me wrong I tip very well but only when I feel it is above and beyond or a great experience. Many times over the years I have had a not so good time or service and was expected to tip, but I just cant. Tip to me is an extra thing not a necessity.
Agreed DJ. We went to Zimbali and the waitress at the bar started to "keep the change" which was substantial in some cases without permission. I will be writing the restaurant about it as I'm sure that is not acceptable practice by that restaurant.
Giving someone a tip 'personally' doesn't always ensure that person will get to keep that tip.
Some places have a mandatory tip pool that is collected and divided among more than just the servers to supplement their pay.
There's always the other despicable practice of 'kicking back to the house'. Some servers pay 1, 2, 3, or more percent of their SALES back to the house.
So if a server sells a thousand dollars in food and drink during their shift, the house might get 10, 20, or 30 dollars whether the server gets tipped that much or not.
Usually they do of course, but it amounts to paying to keep your job.
One of the reasons why at times I did the handshake tip..discretion.... There are no 100% ways if ensuring the right person gets the tip but I'm pretty sure adding it to the bill isn't the best practice. I noticed they often added a tip to the bill when we got it.
One thing you can be absolutely sure of. If you add the tip to my bill, you will never get another penny of my business. I tip for performance of service ONLY and "so so" service may only get a 10% tip up to "superior" service which will get 20% guaranteed (sometimes maybe a likkle more :p )
I get so tired of the "gimme gimme" attitude concerning money. You want my money? Be willing to work for it just like I had to in order to have it. No one gave me money for doing nothing so I am just passing on that life's lesson!
Peace and Guidance
I tip 20% when possible. More If deserved. At home or abroad. I worked in the service industry in college. Just trying to give back when I can. It's not a stress free or high paying job.
In jamaica the minium wage is something like 50 bucks a week. The tip mean a lot and go a long way.
Slipping someone a tip that you expect them to secretly pocket could get them into trouble if they don't report the tip under the scenario I posted above.
To me the percentage is a guideline I pay zero attention. A tip is not mandatory and a given, it's earned for good service and treating your customer well.
If I get so-so service then you are going to get a so-so tip. If I get great service, the kind where I don't feel like a customer and feel like a guest, then you are probably going get a really nice tip,a big compliment and my business again. Unfortunately if you don't like your job and it shows, or bored with your job, or just not good then just like the real world where most of us work, your not going to get a tip and possibly no further business. If you feel like you have to remind me to tip or kind of start the pressure game, sorry you just struck out big time with me. As far as amounts it totally is up to the level of service with me, we've had really inexpensive meals but such good service that it actually helped make a great evening out and I've tipped 1/2 or more the cost of the meal. I've ate or drank at places we go to in Negril and not had enough cash left to leave a nice tip, but the next day or 2 I make it point to stop back by and see the waitress or bartender and give them the tip from the previous night and thank them for understanding, that one usually gets a hug from them. Most of these are the ones that remember you each year you return and greet you by name when they see you, some have become friends we love to visit with.
We usually leave the house keepers daily tips as they often have days off thru the week or during slow season might be off for a week or more at a time. I believe if you do take care of your house keeper you will see quite a difference in your room. Security is big for me, I do feel like these guys should be remembered, if they don't take the time to know their guests, sleep on the job, and don't make you feel safe, then to be honest I don't want to really know them either. But the good ones that interact with their guests, offer handy tips and advice, the ones you see doing their job and make you feel safe, Yes I give them a nice tip at the end of our stay, these guys have your back while your asleep.
Jamb
WOW!!!!!are we brothers from another mother? those are my EXACT thoughts on everything u said!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jambarney
I'd like to know what you tip an airport porter per bag in Jamaican dollars. I normally tip for other things the way I would at home (and sometimes more) so it's no problem.
While we were there in January, the minimum wage was increased to $56 dollars a week. A High School Student earns more than that at a part time job. We tip generously to all who provide us with services, that includes some who are not customarily tipped such as the gardener who keeps the grounds looking beautiful and the people who do such a nice job peeling and slicing our pineapples at the market and fruit stands. We also keep in mind that while tourists are plentiful in the high season, the housekeepers, bartenders and other staff struggle financially when their hours are cut during the low season. The tips they earn help them to survive those lean months. We are far from wealthy but we take for granted things like running water and electricity that are luxuries to many in Jamaica.
Hey groove how are you mi friend? Miss you buddy, hope there is a trip on the horizon soon for you.
SLP, I can't speak for others but I usually tip 100j per bag they handle. I've never had any complaints or dirty looks.
I usually try to bring home 15 or 20 grand in Jamaican money each trip so I'm ready for the next when I hit the airport, not advising that in any way, just what works for me. Most trips Badnaz also usually finds a bit of Jamaican money in various pockets of my shirts and shorts due to my poor packing abilities and often some what spotty memory from a night out.
Jamb
Porters at the airport and bellmen at hotels $1 US per bag.
Housekeeping $5 US per bed daily. Extra $10 for laundry depending on hotel rules. And and extra $20 per week to our main housekeeper. I do the daily tip because you might not get the same person every day.
Security gets $20 a week and I also try to befriend the gardener and slip him a $20 on top of any acquisitions he may make for me.
Wait staff gets anywhere from 10% to 25% based on service just like here in the states, although I tend to be more generous in Jamaica.
Airport and excursion drivers 20% and taxi men an extra route rate per person.
The key to all of this is besides and more important than your money is your attention. Remember names and greet them so. Engage them in conversation and get to know them. Friendship is priceless.
Tip mostly same at home as abroad
20 percent across the board at bar and restaurant...never will understand punishing waitstaff if food, atmosphere and wait time for said food and drink is too long i realize all those things are out of their control and throw in the extra 5 to 10 bucks...if I don't like a place I don't go back...waitstaff work hard, mostly, and deserve a tip
Airport transfer 20 each way
Housekeeping 10 a day
And various dollars fives and tens along the way as needed.
If you are unhappy with something I find it best to let people know so they can or try to fix it... holding back on to a 10 bucks in tips doesn't fix anything
[QUOTE=Ras Walleye;128126]Porters at the airport and bellmen at hotels $1 US per bag.
Housekeeping $5 US per bed daily. Extra $10 for laundry depending on hotel rules. And and extra $20 per week to our main housekeeper. I do the daily tip because you might not get the same person every day.
Security gets $20 a week and I also try to befriend the gardener and slip him a $20 on top of any acquisitions he may make for me.
Wait staff gets anywhere from 10% to 25% based on service just like here in the states, although I tend to be more generous in Jamaica.
Airport and excursion drivers 20% and taxi men an extra route rate per person.
The key to all of this is besides and more important than your money is your attention. Remember names and greet them so. Engage them in conversation and get to know them. Friendship is priceless.[/
Tipping security is so important because I feel it's not done enuff. I go ten a day which usually is five to the early man and five to the late guy...As I typed that it made me rethink that security probably deserves more
I tip about 10 Red Stripes a day,why do you ask?
Too be clear jar77. Having worked many years in food service it's easy to tell where service issues originate. I do not punish a server for the kitchen's mistakes. I tip the server based on their service nothing else. If you're rude or inattentive your tip will suffer. If you anticipate before I have to ask you will be rewarded accordingly. And if the kitchen really blows me away I will stop and tip them as well.
Big fan of the hand shake tip! That's usually how we do it;)Quote:
Originally Posted by chris55
Couldn't have said it better RasQuote:
Originally Posted by Ras Walleye
I like to discreetly tip also..its then up to them if they share it or not..Also, I already have packed an envelope marked 'tip' for every day of the week that I am there..to leave the tip in..that way there is no doubt what I want them to take..and if I don't want them to clean my room one day..I leave a tip anyway, its not their fault if I didn't want housekeeping that day..they depend on the money..Then I usually leave a bunch of my stuff there that I do not want to lug home..any extras in shampoos etc ....bug spray...anything I have that is extra.
Besides giving $$ to housekeepers, I give them several bottles of aspirin, hundreds bandaids, antibiotic cream, any swim "toys", all my utensils for cooking, hot pot, sewing kits, all stuff they can sell to others for a little extra money with enough extra to keep for themselves.
Outside of tourist areas=no tip. It might be a hard concept to grasp unless you have spent a bunch of time in areas that don't have people leaving around extra money around like they don't need it. Lol, after trying to tip the change on beer a few times and being treated like I'm trying to "make it rain".......just pay and smile and repeat business if needed.
Inside tourist areas=nothing if the service sucks. No 10% because of this or that.....give me good service and I'll push a little extra your way.
At hotels/motels/cottages....I don't use housekeeping....rather I refuse it....so no direct tip for housekeeping. Indirectly= left over food items, beer, rum, kids toys, school supplies, and on and on.....
If I want to toss my hard earned money toward people that might need it more than me I'll continue to donate supplies and money to the soup kitchen (and other places in need) who can spread that money for several to enjoy instead of just to some random person who provided less than par service because they were lucky enough to get a wait staff job in Negril.
Wow, I thought I was a little sour, guess I'm all soft and happy feely, comparably speaking that is.
Sorry home slice but I'd have to pass on the left over food items, try some of the dogs that run the beach.
To each their own.
Jamb
I love you dude.
Never realized what a cheapskate I am!
what's up, Jamb? we are back late april, may for my birthday/boardie bash....hoping ur bday is gonna be there as well, but i think i remember u having other plans...
Flip take it easy, when you see me and pool guy ........... that's your future home boy.
Endless obsession with Negril, hangovers, and pouring redstripe on your cornflakes and actually developing a taste for it.
You get the idea.
Til the next time.
Jamb
Groove I think we are very close, middle of May, 10 days thru the 2nd and 3rd week....... cant get off work any sooner.
Sorry to the poster and all that are learning from it, no more hijack from me.
Please excuse me,
Jamb
LOL...... Poolguy has amazing stamina......Quote:
Originally Posted by Jambarney
Jambarney, might bump into on your next reach.
Nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jambarney
Shame we wont be crossing paths again this year. We extend our trip a few days on the back end hoping to overlap with you guys.
Where I have a problem is when the hotel or restaurant adds service in and then expects a tip on top of that. If you want us to tip housekeeping, etc, don't already add 10% to my bill. For us, that can be $50-70/day. Same for restaurants, don't add service and then expect a full tip on top of it. That said, I always tip servers regardless.
i tip like i tip at home --- usually 20% - even for delivery
i've found that my tip may provide even better service on subsequent visits to the same restaurant
and i put cash in hand . . .