Tip for room service?

[jyl]

Do you tip the guy who brings your room service meal in a nice hotel? The bill says "service charge included" but there is a space to add an additional gratuity. I've always added 10% since it's an expense account and I'm not sure the guy would get anything otherwise. But with times so tough for a lot of companies, including mine, I'm thinking about adding 5%, or zero. Terrible faux pas?

[onlycafe]

will you want a second order from them?

[Pazuzu]

Call the front desk and ask?

"Service charge" that is itemized on a room service bill to me means "tip taken care of".

[Dottore]

I always slip the guy a bill. Always.

[Gogar]

Most Room Service charges include a set fee "delivery charge" + usually 18-20% "service charge" or "gratuity" automatically.

I don't usually order room service, but if I do, I don't tip above the set included service fee unless the service is above and beyond. If you get a burger, and there's no ketchup when the guy brings it up, and then he runs down and grabs you some and brings it back 2 minutes later, heck yeah that's worth a couple bucks. But if they knock on your door and throw a cold plate of french fries at you, then no way.

[jyl]

How much? (to Dottore)

[campbellcj]

This is one topic that always bugged me. I never order room service when I'm alone (on business) but sometimes with the wife on vacation we'll splurge.

Who gets the 18% that's added automatically? That in itself is a nice tip but the delivery person always holds his/her hand out for more...WTF?

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by jyl

How much? (to Dottore)

Depends on the built in charge. But the guy that bring the food to my room always gets at least $10.- from me for his efforts.

If there is no service charge on the bill, I make sure he gets the going rate.

[911Rob]

I agree with Dott.

can't afford the tip, stay home

[imcarthur]

Now I'm not usually a cheap b*stard but I always ask the server: " Are you covered here?" If he says yes, then no extra tip. And they always say yes.

As North American we tip too much in Europe & Asia.

A tip story from last week. I was dining with a client at a restaurant in Ft Lauderdale on 17th St. When we went for the valeted cars, my client said he would get it. The valet brought the 2 cars which were each no more than 30 ft away - business was slim. My client gave him $5. The valet said: "Is this for both?"

Ian

[Mr_Wizard]

I do not tip until the day that I check out. Usually I tip $5 bucks per day stayed.

[widgeon13]

I always give the guy a tip, cash!

[Gogar]

So, do you HIGH ROLLERS leave a cash tip for your "houzekeeeepeeeng" staff in a hotel?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

I agree with Dott.

can't afford the tip, stay home

+1

I'm not loaded but I've always been a good tipper. I've worked in several tip-dependent occupations starting very young, so it's just in my code of living. The thought of saving a dollar or two by being a cheap bastard is antithetical to me.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by Gogar

So, do you HIGH ROLLERS leave a cash tip for your "houzekeeeepeeeng" staff in a hotel?

Only on international travel.

[Dottore]

Or, as the prostitute said to the leper, "Don't forget the tip."

[flatbutt]

I always tip the housekeeping well on the first night. This assures me that the room is good for the second night.

Room service gets at least a couple of bucks as does the porter. Just my version of good manners.

[HardDrive]

Tough economic times means you should screw service folks?


Unless its a situation with a large party at a restaurant, and the tip in added on automatically, I always tip in cash. And I always tip, and I tip well. Oddly, I always get fantastic service as well. Huh.

[Zeke]

The reason a gratuity is added on a large group bill in a private room or otherwise in a restaurant is because of the extra staff it takes to serve the guests. That doesn't mean the person making the reservations or taking care of the bill shouldn't seek out the lead server and tip them if all was good or better. Of course, this would not apply to a banquet where you bought in individually unless you feel compelled.

I think the "service charge" for room service is to differentiate from the restaurant or coffee shop prices. True, the room service menu may not even be the same or same prices, but nevertheless, if there wasn't a "penalty," everyone would stay in their room. Again, it takes extra staff to bring, serve and remove the service cart.

That has nothing to do with the person bringing the food. If they are polite, quick and efficient, they deserve to be treated as such with a tip. If there is something wrong with the food or service, it should be explained to the staff, not just stiffed.

The tip rate should be commensurate with the already in place charges. The server will keep the tip whereas the charge will be kept by the hotel, some of it may be pooled to the staff.
So, if the server makes 2 trips to your room, I should think 5% is plenty as opposed to 15-20% in the dining room for continuous service. However, 5% of a $20 item for a single occupant would be a dollar. One has to be prudent here.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Or, as the prostitute said to the leper, "Don't forget the tip."

"Keep the tip." The punchline is: "Keep the tip."

That's as bad a screen doors on a battleship.