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Peter
Of the fourteen or fifteen cruises we have done so far all have been either 'no tipping' or 'tips included in the price', which amounts to pretty much the same thing. This year will be the first with tips being automatically added to our onboard account. We'll see how it goes.
The tips included part tho' I guess is because Brits are notoriously poor tippers!!!...peter
quote:The tips included part tho' I guess is because Brits are notoriously poor tippers!!!...peter[/B]
Yes Peter, we are! We expect people to do a good job because of their training and pride! Tiping allows employers to keep the staffs wages unrealistically low!
I see tipping as a hidden cost. When I book a cruise, I always forget to take into account the expected tip-rate!
(Just a Brits view!)
[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 02-28-2001).]
And the founder of an new, world-wide organisation, which will become very important:
NON TIPPERS ANONYMUS!
At the present, we are two members, my wife and i.
But, i expect much more in the future!
Are you sure the Chinese are good tippers?I have been living in Taiwan for 15 years now, and travel extensively to Hong Kong and Mainland. My observations of "their" tipping is somewhat lacking. Also at my restaurant here in Taipei, if a Taiwanese leaves a tip to my wait staff, they are schocked!!!
Regards,Mike
I think this is probably because we actually prefer to pay the proper going rate for a service rather than an artificially low rate which needs to have a boost to get it up to a realistic living wage.
I think most Brits would agree with this preference and most US would rather pay the tip and have staff 'perform' for their tips. I know that when I have cruised sometimes in the past the over familiarity some staff have displayed, obviously in order to earn their tip, has been something I have not really been comfortable with but the Americans all seem to love it. That must be a cultural difference don't you think?
For what I pay for a cut, shampoo and set here in Toronto, I begrudge paying a tip and don't - I give a gift at Christmas.
Yes I also do the gift at Xmas as I am a regular at the hairdresser and my hairdresser is the proprietor of the salon, neither do I tip the beautician. I would rather not pay tips and no-one gives me one! I work in a hospital and give just as much service and personal attention when required but do not expect a tip (and do not receive them). The whole subject of tipping seems such an out of date way of behaving and although we still do it there seems to be little consistency as to why and the real reasons for it. I think my, and others, particular beef with cruise staff tipping is the 'advised' (expected) amount to tip which seems to be such a large part of the wage rather than a little extra in appreciation of good service. If I went to the hairdresser and the price list included a suggested tipping rate I would probably feel coerced into giving it but would not be at all happy about it, although I am aware of the contradition when dining and the service charge (in UK at any rate) is an extra 10% which because we are conditioned to pay it we do pay, if satisfied with the service. In hospital nurses (again in UK at any rate) are notoriously poorly paid and they are not tipped by patients who have probably had life saving and certainly life enhancing personal treatment, they usually get a box of chocolates to share!! The whole thing is the most hypocritical subject, on our last cruise on the morning of departure (day after receiving her tip) our cabin stewardess, who was my best friend the day before and whom I could not escape each time I left the cabin, cut my husband and myself dead. It was so stark and obvious that you could not help realising what had happened. We laughed about it as it really proved a point, she was not interested or sincere in her behaviour while we were on board - no-one could keep up that gushing all the time - however, we tipped the recommended amount did her behaviour mean she was not pleased with it or that now she was no longer in line for another tip from us she was not interested?
We do selectively tip on cruises and fortunately have not had your experience of being ignored the following day - does make you think!
Happy Cruisin'
People should be paid a rate for the job and not have to depend on tips to make a living. Tipping should be the icing for a job well done and done by exception.
I was in American (on land) in January this year and could not believe how bad things were with regards to the expectation of a 15% (or more!) tip. With due respect to the US posters the sytem is crazy from a British perpective. In one of the restaurants in the Hotel we stayed in the "service" charges which were automatically added to the bill amounted to 25% of the cost of the meal. The service had been pathetic so we did not leave the charge and asked to see the manager to tell him why.
In general the service in the hotel (which was 5*) was poor as there was a large conference on and the only people the staff were interested in were the delegates (who were leaving major tips and buying champagne by the case at 15% service charge) yet the maid, concierge, driver, doorman etc etc still expected a tip. I was so annoyed about it all I wrote to the owners while we were still staying there and to be fair they responded by apologising and sending a very large basket of their merchandise (think mouse).
The point to this is that if the staff have an automatic expectation of receiving 15% from everyone regardless they will not make an effort. On cruise lines if as some of us suspect the tip is part of the wage then add it to the price by all means and leave people to reward genuine good service as they see fit.
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