Confessions of a Social Climber

Remember that diner scene in Reservoir Dogs? The gang was having an argument on whether to tip or not to tip Incidentally, when you’re traveling, you will come across a bevy of service people who are there to make your lives so much more easier. I think I’ve mentioned tipping several times in this blog already, and there’s good reason. It works.

You ask yourself, wait, isn’t it part of their job to make my life easier? Why do I have to pay extra?

As a traveler, life is not easy. At the very worst, you’ll be doing everything by yourself, planning, getting tickets, getting on a flight and whatnot … and then you’ll still have to do it on the way back. Doormen, the concierge, busboys, waiters, room service, stylists, massage therapists, cabbies, etc, are there to help you through each part of your trip. From getting to where you ought to be, to carrying your luggage, these people work for a modest salary, and your tip motivates them to work harder for you.

There are only a couple of rules to follow when tipping:

Why tip? If you get really good service with a smile, like, say, a waiter who was there at your every beck and call, leave a good 15% tip. Lousy service? Still leave a tip, about 10% and then never take service from that person again. (Stylist, cab driver)

Budget budget. Some establishment already have service charge. While you’re not required to leave a tip, if you’re genuinely pleased with something that someone does for you, leave a tip — just don’t go overboard. Upon computation, if you add up all the people you have to tip on a trip, it’ll cost a fortune! For small favors, you don’t have to leave 15%, hand the guy a buck or two, and you’re good!

Customs, customs. In some countries, tipping is actually not customary. Grab a country guide when you’re in so-and-so country, to find out if a tip is needed or not.