April 2004 Article                      

Tipping Part II: Tipping at home and on the road: Advice from an expert, frequent traveler
Excerpts from Be on Your Best Business Behavior by Colleen Rickenbacher

You arrive at a hotel. A bellman retrieves your luggage from the cab and delivers it to the front desk. After you check in, a second bellman takes your bags to your room. Do you tip them both? Yes, according to Colleen Rickenbacher in her book on business etiquette. She recommends $2 for the first bag, and $1 for each additional one – but no less than $1 for each bellman.

Whatever you do, remember to stock up on small bills before you travel and have them in a pocket so you don’t need to pull out your wallet in public places, she reminds.

Other recommendations for Hotel staff:

• Concierge: Small requests don’t require tips. Major efforts for tickets or hard-to-book restaurants, warrant $5 to $10.
  
  
• Doorman: $1 to $5 for getting you a cab, depending on the weather and press of business.
  
  
• Maid: $1 to $2 a day left in a marked envelope on a daily basis because of shift changes.
  
  
• Parking garage attendant: $1 to $2.
  
  
• Restroom attendant: $0.50 to $1.
  
  
• Shoe shine: $1 to $2.
  
  
• Spa: $2 if he/she provides towels or services.
  
  
• Valet: $1 as a delivery tip.
  
  
• Valet parking: $1 to $2, unless the valet holds your car up front, then $5 to $10.

Restaurant:

• Service tip for modest restaurant: 15%; for more expensive restaurants: 20 to 25%
  
  
• Maitre d’: usually not tipped unless he gets you a great table or helps with an important business meal, then $5 to $20.
  
  
• Captain or head waiter: 5% in cash or added to credit card bill.
  
  
• Sommelier: 15% only if he performs a special service by selecting the wines for your meal
  
  
• European tipping: A gratuity of 15% is usually included in the bill. You can provide an additional tip if service is extraordinary. And, don’t forget to get some small change when you exchange currency.

Other:

• Barbers, hair stylists, masseurs and manicurists: 15 to 20%.
  
  
• Cab drivers: 15 to 20% of fare plus $1 per bag if driver handles them.
  
  
• Check room attendant: $1 per coat, briefcase, or other item.
  
  
• Delivery people (flowers, groceries, meals, fruit baskets): $1 to $3 depending on number, weight, or size of items. 
  
  
• Federal Express, DHL, UPS and U.S. Postal service: Not usually tipped, but $10 to $20 holiday tip for regular service providers.
  
  
• Trash collectors, newspaper deliverymen, yardmen, and other suppliers also may receive an annual tip.
  
  
• Golf caddie: 15 to 20% of the green fee.
  
  
• Luggage handlers at airports or train stations: at least $1 per checked bag.
  
  
• Hot dog or ice cream vendors: $1 to $3.

Colleen even cites an example when tipping in a fast food restaurant is appropriate: if the staff cleans up after your child’s birthday party, they deserve a $1 to $3 tip, Colleen suggests. 

A CMP, CSEP and veteran of more than 30 years in the events profession, Colleen is president and owner of Colleen Rickenbacher, Inc. Information about her book, Be on Your Best Business Behavior is available at her web site or by e-mail at cricken@dallascvb.com.