1. Those who work for tips are paid less than minimum wage by their
employer? True.
Most tipped employees are paid as little as $3 per hour because they
are expected
to get paid by the customer for the work they do. If you do not tip,
you are expecting
that employee to do work for you without getting paid.
2. A dollar is enough to give? False.
The national average tip for a bellman is $1 per bag. The industry
standard for 4 and
5 star hotels is $1.50 per bag with a minimum of $5. As a bellman
for a 4 star hotel,
I have dealt with many bellman from other hotels to confirm this.
3. Tipped employees get raises like other hotel employees? False.
I have been working in Central Florida at a major resort as a bellman
for 12 years.
The bellmen and valets have not had a raise in that time. This is common.
Management
does not understand that tips do not increase with the cost of living.
4. Rich people give bigger tips? False.
The average blue collar worker gives the best tip. He has worked hard
for his money
and recognises others who have. Most executives, doctors, and
lawyers have not
worked for tips for any length of time and so they have no understanding
of correct
tip proceedures. They have gone from school to a professional office
type job.
5. Tipped employees do not split tips with eachother? True.
If a customer gave a $20 or $50 tip to one employee, he is not going
to tell the other
employees and give them a share. He worked for his money and will keep
it. The
other employees do the same and he knows it. Most company policies
do not include
any requirements for sharing tips. Consider the housekeeper who
cleans your room
and then has 2-3 days off. Another housekeeper cleans your room on
the day that
you check out. If you leave the only tip on the day that you check
out, the second
housekeeper will get it. The industry standard is that you tip each
day and for each
service. Likewise, if a traveler does not tip during his stay until
checkout, only the guy
who the traveler does tip will get the money. The others worked without
pay.
The point of this web page is to create a better relationship
between bellman (and
other tipped workers) and their employer (the traveler). Nobody shakes
the hand
of a plumber or other laborer and says, " Thanks. I'll catch you later,
I don't have
any money". Please pay for the service performed or carry your
own luggage.
Thank you.
Comments, suggestions? email
me