RCI Considering Changes To Tipping Policy - Page 4

Dave · #31 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:40 PM

I've been places where tipping was indeed an insult. Japan for one. It was looked upon as demeaning to some occupations. Want to get a dirty look in Japan? Try to tip a barber or taxi driver. Even reaching for the taxi door handle is frowned upon since that is part of the driver's job.

It can often be a bad idea to look at other cultures and nations through "red, white, and blue" colored glasses.

Dwayne · #32 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

I wonder what other cruise lines do. Even if RCI institutes automatic gratuities, wouldn't there still be the option for guests to remove them?

Lisa. I think they would probably have the option to remove them. On Carnival you can adjust them up, down, or remove them.

Dwayne

corkgirl · #33 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 04:26 AM

Hi again,
Us Irish are not cheap!!! Ok, some of us are Im sure. But I suppose I think the tips should be automatically added to your cruise fair.

But having said that then you could be tipping someone and they might just not give you a good service because they know they have the tip already!

Its a tough one! Some people might feel that the cruise is expensive enough besides paying tipping, I myself feel it very very odd tipping in a bar, or the 15% tip added to the bill, it actually annoys me a bit. With the price of alcohol in Ireland its lucky we dont have that custom here!!!

xx

penny3333 · #34 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:24 AM

Corkgirl, isn't Bailey's from Ireland? That is my all time favorite. The few people I have known from Ireland loved to drink beer. Is that expensive there?

jerseygirl74 · #35 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 08:39 PM

We own a lodging/restaurant business. Most guests tip 18-20%. The brits know perfectly well that it isn't included in our bills, and they choose to play stupid so they can get away with leaving a very tiny tip...we see it all the time...we would love to be able to automatically add the tips in and make sure the staff doesn't get stiffed.

We always leave at least the recommended amount on the ship but haven't you ever noticed how some tables are empty the last evening?

corkgirl · #36 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 12:31 PM

Hi Penny, yes Baileys is from Ireland and its absolutely gorgeous! Better known as mothers milk!! buying by the bottle its good value, but in a bar its about 4 euro which is ok!

Jersey Girl, I find it very difficult to leave tips for drinks too I must say 20% is a very large amount of money, In America I know bar staff get a very small nightly wage and the majority of their wages are made up on tips, whereas in Ireland and UK the minimum wage is 8.65 per hour and people dont have to leave a tip. So when you're in Ireland, you can drink all you want and no bar man will expect a tip! In fact he might just faint if you did!

jerseygirl74 · #37 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:13 PM

I guess it is all about customs. There has also been some debate over the years about tipping on more expensive bottles of wine...and the very valid point has been brought up that...everyone tips on percentages in US, so if your meal is more expensive, you tip more, so the same should be true for drinks, bottles of wine, etc. After all, you are being served. Most fine dining establishments add on 18% when there is a party of 5 or more, because when the bill gets larger the tip can get smaller...even though the staff is doing the same amount of work. (Patrons are advised this on the bottom of the menu).

The wage for waitstaff is 1/2 minimum, but the minimum must be reached at the end of the shift. Sometimes, they make out quite well $20+ per hour and some nights if it is slow they can make just minimum.

So, let me get this straight, they don't include the tip...just charge more and have higher min. wage? How are betters servers rewarded? I'm confused.

penny3333 · #38 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 06:19 AM

I think they actually give them raises, jerseygirl74. Something that is unheard of here in the US for service workers.

jerseygirl74 · #39 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 08:52 PM

We actually can only tell how well someone is doing by the percentage of their tips each evening. It gives us a general trend for any one one person's performance each evening. Someone who consistently gets 18-20 is doing well with the customers. The only glitch is when we throw a Brit into the equation...we then have to take that into consideration for that particular night.

corkgirl · #40 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jerseygirl74:
The only glitch is when we throw a Brit into the equation...we then have to take that into consideration for that particular night.

I dont think thats called for jerseygirl, if its not customary to tip in Uk and Ireland then thats it. We pay our waiters waitresses a good wage, we could also look at it as that Americans get away with paying their staff low wages and let the public subsidise the rest. That to me is not fair, I dont see travel agents, office staff, etc getting a tip they all provide a service too, so why should restaurant staff be tipped, after all its their chosen career. Are they just doing it for the good tips? In that case the service may be 'fake' just to get your money.

In short, if waiters were paid proper wages this wouldnt be an issue.

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