Bed & Breakfast Etiquette - Does one tip?
Sep 3rd, 2013, 07:53 AM
#23
I agree, in any business that's run by the owner, as a small B&B in a home, no tipping. But in the UK what I'd call a small hotel is sometimes called a B&B and there are maids that clean the rooms. In these, being a foreigner and not knowing what I'm doing, I do leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff when I leave. I understand it's not de rigueur in the UK but I do it. Silly me.
Sep 3rd, 2013, 09:12 AM
#25
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"In these, being a foreigner and not knowing what I'm doing, I do leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff when I leave. I understand it's not de rigueur in the UK but I do it. Silly me."
Oh no, that's absolutely scandalous, they'l be expecting us to do it next.
Oh no, that's absolutely scandalous, they'l be expecting us to do it next.
Sep 5th, 2013, 08:33 AM
#30
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I have run a small B&B for 7 or 8 years and all the tasks mentioned above are done by me. In that time, I have received one tip, £10 from an elderly lady who I thought would have been embarrassed had I refused it. On the other hand, visitors from abroad have brought some nice gifts, stroopwafels and Japanese sweets for instance.
Sep 5th, 2013, 09:43 AM
#31
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I am not aware that "high end resorts" are the only places with staff. I wouldn't know - I have never stayed at one.
Agreed that small B&Bs don;t. And smaller inns may not have much staff. But every hotel - of hundreds - I have ever stayed at has a bellman, waitstaff and either a concierge or a bell or front desk person to help with special requests. And many of these were 3* tourist hotels - not 4* business or 5* luxury places - all across the US - and in more than 25 other countries, primarily in europe.
Agreed that small B&Bs don;t. And smaller inns may not have much staff. But every hotel - of hundreds - I have ever stayed at has a bellman, waitstaff and either a concierge or a bell or front desk person to help with special requests. And many of these were 3* tourist hotels - not 4* business or 5* luxury places - all across the US - and in more than 25 other countries, primarily in europe.
Sep 5th, 2013, 11:55 AM
#33
>>But every hotel - of hundreds - I have ever stayed at has a bellman, waitstaff and either a concierge or a bell or front desk person to help with special requests. <<
There are many (hundreds probably) of hotels in the UK that are actually hotels - and don't have all - or ANY - of those things. Even some high-ish end properties don't.
There are many (hundreds probably) of hotels in the UK that are actually hotels - and don't have all - or ANY - of those things. Even some high-ish end properties don't.
Sep 5th, 2013, 08:30 PM
#35
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" I understand it's not de rigueur in the UK but I do it. Silly me."
No. Offensive, cultural imperialist, insensitive you.
And it's people like you that make people like me tell American waiters to go and stuff themselves when they come begging for tips.
I understand it's not de rigueur in America to tell beggars to demand a living wage from their employers. But I do it. Silly me.
No. Offensive, cultural imperialist, insensitive you.
And it's people like you that make people like me tell American waiters to go and stuff themselves when they come begging for tips.
I understand it's not de rigueur in America to tell beggars to demand a living wage from their employers. But I do it. Silly me.
Sep 6th, 2013, 04:42 AM
#38
How is it that people agonise over what to wear so they will " fit in with the locals/ not look like American tourists"yet, being told tipping is not done, completely ignore the advice & barge on with their custom of tipping everyone who draws breath?
If you insist on doing elsewhere what you do at home, be prepared to accept that the rest of us may well do the same when we are in the US.
You may think tipping where it is not usually done makes you look magnanimous. It is often completely the opposite and you may very well appear patronising. A genuine "thank you" is all that is required.
If you insist on doing elsewhere what you do at home, be prepared to accept that the rest of us may well do the same when we are in the US.
You may think tipping where it is not usually done makes you look magnanimous. It is often completely the opposite and you may very well appear patronising. A genuine "thank you" is all that is required.
Sep 6th, 2013, 04:51 AM
#39
" A genuine "thank you" is all that is required."
I'm not in the room enough to engage in conversation with these workers and I'm not about to start leaving thank you notes.
If my thank you tip is so offensive, they don't have to take it.
But they always do and I believe it is welcomed.
I'm not in the room enough to engage in conversation with these workers and I'm not about to start leaving thank you notes.
If my thank you tip is so offensive, they don't have to take it.
But they always do and I believe it is welcomed.
