tipping on coach tour..

aliasojo

harz99 wrote: »

I think we need to consider how the labour market works in each country and do accordingly; okay maybe the workers should unite and force the employers to pay a proper wage - but these people still have to live today, and very few other countries (even in Europe) have a National Minimum Wage to fall back on.

Can't argue with your thoughts but perhaps it should be changed from calling it a 'tip' to something more accurate like a 'surcharge'.

I think a lot of the unhappiness stems from the difference between what is optional and what is not. A tip to most of us is optional, and we expect to decide ourselves how much is appropriate. A surcharge is not optional and a specific amount is asked. I would suggest (especially given your cruise example) the word 'surcharge' is much more honest and upfront.

CCFC_80

kittie wrote: »

You really do have to grit your teeth when running the driver/courier gauntlet at the end of a tour. I asked someone very approachable and experienced on the 11 day foreign trip and she said that she always paid £5 and that was that. So we paid £5 to each driver. End of

I think we have been too generous in the past in paying double that but no way on earth would I pay what titan suggested on our tours. Most people take envelopes with them anyway. Its a shocking thing this tipping and certainly the titan couriers get paid properly so unless we get extremely high service on our next titan tour, we will not be tipping at all

One of the reasons I never travel to USA anymore is due to the in your face tipping that you are expected to comply with.

pollypenny

OH and I did the Archers Western tour last year. The tour guide was ok, efficient and pleasant as we would expect. But, the whole group balked the amount of suggested tips. We gave him £30 between the two of us, which we considered a fair gratuity, not his wage! This was the average.

I hate the tip system in the US! Pay the staff a proper wage ( and serve proper portion sizes)

katieclampet

OH and I have done many coach tours with different companies, and never give the suggested amount for the driver & tour guide, as a tip. As one poster said, it would be practically a weeks wages, and I cant afford that. (I am usually a generous tipper, if I get good service.)

We usually put what we consider a reasonable amount in our envelope. Its good to know that we are not the only ones who think the amount we are requested to give is too much! I used to feel guilty that we were being mean.

katiex

[Deleted User]

My best tip is buy a good guide book with lots of good tips. As for a driver, use your spouse. Much cheaper than paying ridiculous amounts of tips.:rolleyes:

PolishBigSpender

harz99 wrote: »

I think we need to consider how the labour market works in each country and do accordingly; okay maybe the workers should unite and force the employers to pay a proper wage - but these people still have to live today, and very few other countries (even in Europe) have a National Minimum Wage to fall back on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_countries_by_minimum_wage

Please take care before posting something as fact.

harz99

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_countries_by_minimum_wage

Please take care before posting something as fact.

I stand corrected, I should have said "not all countries (even in Europe) have a National Minimum Wage to fall back on"..........