Off-Topic: Tipping in Las Vegas

A confession: I'm really bad at tipping.

It's not that I'm deliberately ungenerous, but simply that I never know how much to give. The UK isn't really a nation for tips: outside of restaurants, it's not something that's particularly expected, which means that here in the US I'm a complete novice at the art. The result is that sometimes I lavish cash like Sinatra on surly and unhelpful staff, while at other times I completely blow an opportunity to recognize excellent service.

To my embarrassment, I've only lately realized that it's polite to tip housekeeping staff at hotels. I determined to rectify my error this week while staying at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas for an event, and so I dutifully left a small amount on my bed when I left for the day. To my surprise, when I returned to my serviced room, I noticed that my toiletries had been "upgraded" from the uninspiring generic items that first adorned my room to some rather impressive high-end replacements.

Next morning, I determined to show my gratitude for such thoughtfulness, and left a slightly larger amount on my bed. On returning later, I discovered that not only had the toiletries I'd stashed in my suitcase been replenished, but that I'd acquired still additional items, including a "gentleman's kit" of useful travel accessories. This turned into something of a game: the third morning, I excitedly tipped a little yet more out of fascination to see what would happen (a small vase of flowers and a Loofah sponge). For once, I was rather disappointed that I had to check out; it would have been very tempting to have upped the ante dramatically further to see what the ultimate reward would have been!

As well as discovering a new aspect of the service culture in the US, I also discovered that there are a lot more fun ways to "gamble" your money in Las Vegas than putting it into a slot machine. And just so I don't come across as bragging about my largesse, I should note that the very same evening I horrified a colleague of mine for innocently tipping just 5% on a bar bill (I figured this was a pretty good wage given the size of the bill, but I was apparently so far out that I could have had the dregs of my drink poured over me!). I've still got plenty to learn, it seems.

Comments

• Anonymous
  March 08, 2008
  You nearly got me: I though 'oh, Colin Tipping is coming to Vegas?' However, it reminds me of a night, us three guys in a bar, drinking any and everything for the 10 hours we been there. Our bar bill (no food, not an expensive bar) was more than 400,-, we gave 10% tip and had a real diskussion with the barmaids because they thought it was way over the top. You see, Germany is different regarding to tip. But still it depends on the people.

• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
  After I moved from Switzerland to Chicago, I had no clue about tipping either. So I was slightly suprised that on my first night out nobody wanted to server me anymore after not tipping at the bar for 2h. It dramatically improved the next time after I got the hint from a friend :-)

• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
  Interesting blog entry Tim. Here in Germany, it seems 50 cent to 1 Euro tip is the norm.

• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
  Tim,    I actually hadn't tipped the housekeeping staff but the items you described were still upgraded in my room everyday at MIX08.  This means that 1) You don't need to tip to have gotten those "upgrades"  or 2)  Losing money at the Venetian tables is the same as leaving tip at which I should have received much more than a loofah :)

• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 09, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 10, 2008
  Hey Tim, How did you indicate that the currency you left was a tip. Did you also leave a note saying so? If you hadn't, then basically whoever cleaned your room saw some cash and just took it assuming it's a tip? Wow!

• Anonymous
  March 10, 2008
  Hi Nish, I left it on the bed in such a way as that it was pretty obvious that I was leaving it as a tip.

• Anonymous
  March 10, 2008
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• Anonymous
  March 18, 2008
  One of the books on Vegas that I used for a recent trip suggested the following amounts: Bartenders: 15% Hotel Porters: $1 per bag, minimum total $2 ($5 for several bags) Taxis: 10% Concierges: $2 for making phone calls, up to $20 for securing tickets to sold out shows Cocktail waitresses: $1 per drink Maids: $1 to $2 per night, left in an obvious place usually the provided card Restraurants: 15 to 20%

• Anonymous
  March 28, 2008
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• Anonymous
  April 03, 2008
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• Anonymous
  May 23, 2008
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