Australian Hotel Tipping

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd really hate to see an expectation of tipping be introduced to Australia, regardless of service level received, like there is in other countries.

Occassionally, I receive really good service and would like to show my appreciation by way of a remunerated reward, but I'm not sure how you go about this. The case in point for me, was Friday at the Sydney Hilton. The check-in manager (Tony) rated as one of the best I've experienced. He went well beyond my expectations (which can sometimes be high to start with). Of course feedback to the hotel goes without saying, but I would have liked to offer a tip....but how is this done? No cash changes hand these days, it's all cards and is a tip seen as an insult to someone who takes pride in their job? Same goes for the porters. My case was delivered to my room before I got there so I don't even know who the porter was let alone offer a tip.

So how many tip at a international hotel? How do you do it? I just find brazenly thrusting a note into someones hand to be dismissive and rude. Does tipping get you better service or upgrades? Does a guest have their card maked as a "tipper" deserving more attention next visit, or not?

Also card chips and PINs must make it difficult for tipping as well. All you get to do is enter a PIN, the amount is always pre-entered for us and I've never seen anyone "add" a tip, nor even ask for a tip. All and all, this is great for Australia, but I also believe exceptional service could be rewarded without embarrassment.

Any thoughts about this, greatly appreciated.

 

[Mal]

Tipping within Australia generally is embarrassing. Im not talking about throwing the pizza guy a few dollars or adding dollars onto a restaurant bill but there should be no expectation of tips in the hotel industry.
Australian tourism operators are overpriced, service is normally non existant and the staff are one of the highest paid in the world.

I don't find solutions for issues that don't exist.


Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[Moopere]

Mmm. Good post. I'm not a big tipper I must say. It annoys me overseas when its expected no matter how ordinary the service might be and even moreso when its simply added to a bill ... sometimes with an expectation you'll be generous and fish around in your pockets for even more!!

Back on topic though, I understand the dilemma raised. With CC's as king now its just about impossible without creating a scene.

I wouldn't dismiss out of hand the power of a well written and thoughtful feedback letter. Its my own opinion if you write, that you should put in multiple methods of contact (email, ph, etc) and sign it properly printing your name after the signature (so it can be read). Every time I've done a decent job of a feedback letter I've had contact, sometimes even a telephone call, by the property/establishments owner or GM. I do this for excellent service not only at hotels, but any organisation that serves me well in some way (restaurants, car dealerships, trades, etc)

Ultimately, surely this has to translate into better pay/conditions for the star performers in a team? Unless the size of the proposed tip would be very generous indeed, several hundreds of dollars for example, I think recognition of excellent service and promotion (over time) will financially benefit good front facing staff more than a couple of small denomination folded notes might.

I don't do this for any expected reciprocal treatment next time I use the business ... however, I have noticed regardless, in almost all cases, that the businesses entire team appear to treat you differently even if you have singled out only one of their number in a previous visit.

 

[Moopere]

Australian tourism operators are overpriced, service is normally non existant and the staff are one of the highest paid in the world.

Fair point, and I can't disagree in the main. In amongst the rubbish though are some genuine and solid performers. I think its always worth pointing those people out to their own management/ownership.

 

[amaroo]

I tip the following & only after good to great service has been delivered,

cabbies/hire cars....more like rounding up
waiters
hotel porters....only when we travel as a family as the amount of luggage requiring to be moved can be embarrassing

I tip with cash & card. I have no problem leaving a table, hotel or car without leaving a cent if the service or demeanour is poor.

 

[Shelf]

I'm quite against tipping in this country (I will slip the cabbie/delivery guy a small amount).

I find tipping whilst holidaying quite awkward.

 

[drron]

I really do not like tipping but I accept that in some places it is the done thing.therefore I really dont mind doing it in the USA.I really am against it in Australia.
First I would write a letter + email to the GM.If you know that the hotel reads places such as TA I would put a good review there as well.
However i try to find out what the person who gives me good service likes.for example the concierge of an NYC hotel that we frequent always gave us great service.Found out he liked red wine so he got a bottle of St. henri.That ended up meaning more to him than any money.
Second example.when we lived in the Hunter Valley we would always escape August's westerlies by going to Fiji to the Shearaton Denarau.I was impressed by one of the bus boys at the Port'so'call restaurant and complimented him on a couple of occasions.It became obvious he could not read so I offered to teach him.Over the next couple of years he progressed incredibly and ended up the Maitre'D of their buffet restaurant.About 3 years after this when we went he was not around-I asked about Joe and the word was sent by the bush telegraph.This fellow had saved his wages,bought a market garden on the coral coast and supplied a few hotels.With the profits from that he bought a bus and he doubled as the tour guide.Again what I did ended up far more valuable than a money tip.When i met him again i knew I had made a friend for life.

 

[toowongman]

While exiting a taxi at the Wentworth the battery fell out of my mobile. Didn't realise until up in the room. Mentioned it in conversation to the concierge on the way back out for dinner. Upon returning that night the battery was on my bed. Gave him a thank you card with a bunch of casket lottery tickets. Never saw him again so hope he won

 

[JohnK]

I would have to agree with most and hope that tipping never becomes standard practice in Australia.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Australian Hotel Tipping [warning long post]

Firstly, ever since I saw this thread title, I knew we were going to have another patented "pro-tipping or anti-tipping" polar debate (i.e. both on the personal and social level). That aside...

I'd really hate to see an expectation of tipping be introduced to Australia, regardless of service level received, like there is in other countries.

I agree.

Tipping to me, personally, should be viewed as a reward, not an expectation (even if the latter can be "varied" from 10-20%, or even 0%); and it should be viewed as a bonus, not a stipulation. It is like going to the dentist and being a good little boy / girl in the chair, then you get something from the dentist. The dentist doesn't have to give you something for being good, but they might (you don't expect one). In any case, you're not going to get one if you don't behave (you're not going to get a gift for being bad, not even a better gift for being good).

In several countries where tipping is expected, I respect the social norms of that country as that is the courteous thing to do. They may not match your morals or standards, but there is little point in being a social standout or being oppressive in other cultures (the definition, by and large, of the "bad tourist"). Just like when you go to a Muslim country, you should respect the locals and dress conservatively, and avoid public displays of affection.

In line with this, it should be noted that tipping is not expected everywhere and tipping can also be viewed as disrespectful. Japan is one such example of the latter (a tip is an insult to a person offering a service because it may be construed as a bribe or an indication that their effort is not good enough).

Occasionally, I receive really good service and would like to show my appreciation by way of a remunerated reward, but I'm not sure how you go about this. The case in point for me, was Friday at the Sydney Hilton. The check-in manager (Tony) rated as one of the best I've experienced. He went well beyond my expectations (which can sometimes be high to start with). Of course feedback to the hotel goes without saying, but I would have liked to offer a tip....but how is this done? No cash changes hand these days, it's all cards and is a tip seen as an insult to someone who takes pride in their job? Same goes for the porters. My case was delivered to my room before I got there so I don't even know who the porter was let alone offer a tip.

"Tipping" can be a complicated matter, because there is no guarantee that it will get to the person you specifically want to reward. Even in the USA, the tip is offered at the cashier, but you may want to be 'tipping' the chef rather than the waiter (i.e. your extra 5% was for the excellent food, not the decent wait service). Then there's the issue of split or pooled tips, etc. etc.

Putting that aside ('cos it's parallel to the argument), in this case, some ideas include a well written letter addressed to the line manager or superior of the person you are commending. If you really want to make an impression, type the letter, print it and send it by snail mail. Make sure it clearly articulates why you are praising the said person and make a point as to why you are even going to the effort to write the letter (this is important, as it needs to be made clear that there is good service and then there is good service...)

Another idea is to offer a small gift which should be clearly instructed to be delivered to the person of interest. A box of nice chocolates, for example. Kitchy, perhaps, but not everyone gets a box of chocolates every day. Not even loved ones, not even Richard Branson or Andrew Fyfe. Make it a nice box, though, no cheap stuff. Alcohol is probably inappropriate, unless you are on good terms. (There's a fine line unfortunately, as some companies have some odd policies about employees accepting gifts. You may have your gift "rejected" if policy gets in the way - you can only concede and accept these terms...)

For the porter, I'd make a note to ask reception or someone to find out the name of the exact porter that made the delivery to your room. (They would have to "know" anyway just in case you had a complaint rather than a compliment). Then you have the basis for a commendation.

So how many tip at a international hotel?

Only as required by local custom. So far, that's really only translated to the USA for me.

How do you do it? I just find brazenly thrusting a note into someones hand to be dismissive and rude.

Depends on the local custom. In the USA at a hotel, if the porter or staff brings you something you requested, have the tip ready and hand it to them as you exchange it for the items you requested. Don't thrust it in their hands; just hand it over like paying someone.

If you want to tip housekeeping, leave the money on a desk with a note. It's probably a good idea to not leave any money lying around at all if you are having your room cleaned (large amounts may be understood, but little amounts or shrapnel may be misconstrued as a tip, though a good housekeeper shouldn't probably take it at all).

At restaurants, just add the tip at the final payment. By cash, just add it on top. By credit card, there should be a gratuity line you can fill in.

Gratuities are not required to the front-of-house staff when you check out and pay the bill.

Does tipping get you better service or upgrades? Does a guest have their card marked as a "tipper" deserving more attention next visit, or not?

In theory, the answer is no, but it may depend on location and culture.

Just as much as a service person should not expect you to tip (or expect a big tip where tipping is the norm), you should not expect special treatment just because you did so. You are rewarding someone for their excellent service, not buying an extra special service.

Someone who you have tipped may give you some "special treatment", but that is (in theory) only because of the nature of who they are, not because a tip enables them to do this. (Similarly, not tipping should not subject you to some form of abuse, such as having your food spat in). It's all back to how humans interact with each other, really. If someone is nice to you, unless you're made of stone, you can't help but be nice back to them (rather, it would be rude for you not to), and perhaps your conduct changes greatly. It doesn't necessarily mean you're giving them special treatment, nor should it be viewed as a double standard of your integrity or disposition.

The simpler, monetary-free allusion to this observed behavior is the concept of friendship vs acquaintance.

 

[notzac]

Second example.when we lived in the Hunter Valley we would always escape August's westerlies by going to Fiji to the Shearaton Denarau.

drron, that's a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing.

In Australia, I will generally round up, maybe add a dollar or two if I was happy with everything, maybe add 10% if the service was outstanding. There's really no need to tip in Australia - staff are paid a reasonable wage (nothing like the US where you'd be below the poverty line if it weren't for the tips).

If you're really happy with someone's service, write to their management to tell them. That means a whole bunch more than a few dollars.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Australian Hotel Tipping [warning long post]

Tipping to me, personally, should be viewed as a reward, not an expectation

I totally agree. I wrote something similar over on FT and got flamed for it One of the guys there even said I was "another whinging Aussie" who said I should not visit the USA if I so disagreed with their tipping "culture". Bloody yanks!

In OZ, I like to directly tip the wait staff if they have provided excellent service in that way I know at least it goes to them (and what they do with it afterwards eg. keeping it or sharing it with their team, is their decision). The other day at one of my fav Sydney restaurants, The Malaya, I tipped our wait lady $50. Our bill was close to the $500 mark so that wasn't even 10%. And in the USA that wouldn't have been enough!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Australian Hotel Tipping [warning long post]

Thanks for all the comments and well thought out replies. It's been an interesting read. I was really interested in Australian located int. hotels though, not OS cutoms as such. I'll leave those discussions for them. Austalian restaurants I also have no issue with and I will tip there only if I receive exceptional service and food. I don't tip ever for on par or below par food and service. It was just about the hotels and from what I can gather, the majority of you don't tip in those situations, nor even recommend tipping, with the preference being a complementary letter over a financial reward. That's exactly what I'll do. Thank you all for the responses.