Tipping at the Sydney First Class International Lounge

[coyote25]

Wouldn't have even considered tipping in the F Lounge not in Australia.

Always follow the rules in the USA. QF say all their staff are overpaid, but we all know wait staff in the US not get paid much.

Despite my no tipping rule always round up for hairdressers to nearest 0 so can be $7-9 tip. Don't know why, just do.

 

[samh004]

Despite my no tipping rule always round up for hairdressers to nearest 0 so can be $7-9 tip. Don't know why, just do.

That's a good point, I did tip my hairdresser recently, but that's because he was cute




 

[serfty]

It's hard to get used to in the USA - a year or two ago I was having my complimentary breakfast as a Hilton with a FFer from the USA and before we left he pulled out $2 and left it on the table.

I had never done this before with a comp. breakfast in the uSA.

 

[jetlagger]

I work in the mining idustry. At the end of the day it is very basic stuff - working to produce commodoty/resource ¨X¨. My work has been at times dirty, hard, ¨underpaid¨, dangerous, etc etc. But for some strange reason noone has ever offered me a tip. Why is the service industry so special?

'underpaid"??? It's reputed that the mining industry is highly paid?? My understanding & everyone bragging about their '6 figure" salaries.... Whereas on the other end of the spectrum the hospitality industry is not.

Always consider: A little love goes a long way (in monetary or gifted terms)

 

[cove]

I have always left five or ten dollars for the spa massage but nothing else in the Flounge

 

[Simo]

Tipping is just not the normally done practise in Australia.

I have never tipped an Airline staff member in Aust and probably never will.

I have done something very nice for one of the lounge staff members and never expected anything from it.

 

[drewbles]

It's hard to get used to in the USA - a year or two ago I was having my complimentary breakfast as a Hilton with a FFer from the USA and before we left he pulled out $2 and left it on the table.

I had never done this before with a comp. breakfast in the uSA.

With all the Hilton's i've stayed at in the USA, the server has made it quite clear that when you give the voucher, the 'check' "does not include the gratuity, sir!".

I feel obliged to leave $2 or so for breakfast in hotels, although the last Hilton I stayed in had wait staff so useless, I probably should not have!

 

[codash1099]

With all the Hilton's i've stayed at in the USA, the server has made it quite clear that when you give the voucher, the 'check' "does not include the gratuity, sir!".

I feel obliged to leave $2 or so for breakfast in hotels, although the last Hilton I stayed in had wait staff so useless, I probably should not have!

On the other hand, I've had wait staff (especially for room service) expect a tip even when the check clearly has gratuity already added (18% seems common these days).


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app and carrier pigeons

 

[amaroo]

I'd have no money left if I tipped every time I was in a lounge....

 

[jetlagger]

I'd have no money left if I tipped every time I was in a lounge....

Hopefully, it is always a decent lounge! Most lounges for me connotate indulgence of some more peaceful (at times) description.. away from the maddening hordes of mass travellers.
The pleasurable available 'poisons" & sometimes culinary delicacies (at times) make it even more attractive!

 

[Joy6328]

'underpaid"??? It's reputed that the mining industry is highly paid?? My understanding & everyone bragging about their '6 figure" salaries.... Whereas on the other end of the spectrum the hospitality industry is not.

Always consider: A little love goes a long way (in monetary or gifted terms)

The Mining Industry is not all paved with gold as the media would have you believe - my Mother earns $5k pa more than she would in the city and has the pleasure of living away from home for 2 weeks and working night shifts - and my hubby took a pay cut to get into the industry... Hoping it will pay off within the next 2 years but still makes me grind my teeth when people comment on how "now I'm a mining wife I can just retire and relax"...

My dad however does earn big bucks but he has 2 trades and more tickets than you can poke a stick at. He's worth every cent to them.

Ive worked in hospitality in several countries - in UK for GBP2 per hour!!! And here for $21 per hour plus penalty rates. That's why tipping isn't big here.

 

[Deleted member]

I work in the mining idustry. At the end of the day it is very basic stuff - working to produce commodoty/resource ¨X¨. My work has been at times dirty, hard, ¨underpaid¨, dangerous, etc etc. But for some strange reason noone has ever offered me a tip. Why is the service industry so special?

Probably because underpaid in mining is a bit different from underpaid in restaurants etc. bear in mind the " hospitality " industry is staffed by part time , casual workers , on split shifts. Often the hours fluctuate. So tipping can mean the difference between paying the rent or not. Having said that, life is full of choices, where you work is often up to you

 

[jetlagger]

Constructive comments.. I suppose we all have to work at something somewhere.. understanding disparity of earning capacity!.. guess better get back to the thread topic tho!

 

[drewbles]

On the other hand, I've had wait staff (especially for room service) expect a tip even when the check clearly has gratuity already added (18% seems common these days).


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app and carrier pigeons

Must admit that's very rude. Fortunately, since i've noticed they're doing it by default and clearly stating it includes service charge and gratuity, I do not pay it and haven't had any Hilton delivery staff wait around expecting a tip.

The other one is the sneaky adding to the bill for a 'party of two' when it's usually only 'automatically' added to larger groups.

 

[Simo]

Little bit OT but I had a taxi driver actually said to me that enough and was going to keep the change as a tip.

I politely informed him I wanted all of my change.

And then he said c'mon mate it's been a hard night trying to get some fares tonight.

Then I said can I have my change or will ring your Taxi office.

Finally got it.

I hate when people just assume who much they expect.

I normally always give the Taxi drivers the change and keep the notes.

 

[loobloke]

I don't always tip - but will if they deserve it. I don't know why people refuse to tip unless required ...

Its a small gesture of showing that you appreciate their services, and it really does make a difference, not the $$ but the intent is warmly welcomed, especially if not expected.

Maybe it's because I worked in hospitality for so long and I know what it feels like to be on the other side.
Also I just want to mention its disgusts us when people tip and expect staff to grovel over them, and ridiculously special treatment. Particularly prevalent for people who tip small amounts (~$5-10) and demand your utmost attention.
Don't expect anything back, but most the time you'll get something. We'd rather you not tip if that's the case; tips aren't expected, but are always appreciated.

 

[misstam]

Wouldn't have even considered tipping in the F Lounge not in Australia.

Always follow the rules in the USA. QF say all their staff are overpaid, but we all know wait staff in the US not get paid much.

Despite my no tipping rule always round up for hairdressers to nearest 0 so can be $7-9 tip. Don't know why, just do.

...perhaps because they're standing behind you with sharp blades near your head?

 

[bossreggie]

I don't tip every time I visit the F Lounge.

I have on some occasions, left a tip when the service has been exceptional.

I understand it is not necessary in Australia, however I'm happy to do so in some instances.

 

[Flashback]

I work in the mining idustry. At the end of the day it is very basic stuff - working to produce commodoty/resource ¨X¨. My work has been at times dirty, hard, ¨underpaid¨, dangerous, etc etc. But for some strange reason noone has ever offered me a tip. Why is the service industry so special?

The Mining Industry is not all paved with gold as the media would have you believe - my Mother earns $5k pa more than she would in the city and has the pleasure of living away from home for 2 weeks and working night shifts - and my hubby took a pay cut to get into the industry... Hoping it will pay off within the next 2 years but still makes me grind my teeth when people comment on how "now I'm a mining wife I can just retire and relax"...

My dad however does earn big bucks but he has 2 trades and more tickets than you can poke a stick at. He's worth every cent to them.

Ive worked in hospitality in several countries - in UK for GBP2 per hour!!! And here for $21 per hour plus penalty rates. That's why tipping isn't big here.

I guess some are better at negotiating their contracts than others. I've never had, or come across anyone that hasn't had a good wage. If there's minimal gain (and it's not your "known" profession) then why go out of the way to do it...... the mind boggles.

 

[JohnK]

I have said it before and I will say it again.

If people in the service industry in the USA were indeed struggling to make a living then I would not be seeing many of them in Thailand on a budget of 10,000+ baht a day (more than double my budget), staying 2-4 weeks, staying in better hotels etc etc.

I don't visit the USA and when I do I have no need to pay $50+ for a meal and avoid tipping where possible including my "free" drinks in the lounges.

In Thailand I tip the driver 100 baht, golf caddie 300-500 baht, tip 5-10 baht at the drink stop(s), tip 20 baht to the person handing out towels and the rest of the time I will leave loose change if I sit down for a meal. The influence the US tourists have had there is quite noticeable but if you observe the Thais you will notice they very rarely tip and if they do it will not be more than 20 baht in loose change.

What I cannot understand is people telling others they should do tip and so on. If you want to tip the go for it. It is an individual thing and there is no right or wrong....