Tipping in hotels?

[Jonesboot]

If you stay in a hotel do you tip and when? I usually hand over an envelope at the end that's a joint tip for all staff. It seems a fair way to tackle things, and low key. My friends in the US also like to do a tip for all staff, but they hand it over at the start of their stay. Theory being it will encourage staff to give them good service. That feels a bit in your face to me, but maybe I'm being a bit too British about it. 😁

I don't 🤷
Really do not want to encourage bad American habits to be imported to the UK.

I tip in certain countries, more to housekeeping staff and perhaps at restaurants if we eat in

we don’t hand in envelopes though x

I didn't think tipping was an American habit, maybe how it's done could be? I've been tipping good service for, oh, around 30+ years.

Tipping is surely an American habit!

Mainly because they don't have adequate minimum wages, nor pay their staff appropriately so tipping is expected to top up their wages. It's not a desirable or efficient system as it leads to uncertainty for the recipients as well as the consumers.

I'm really surprised. I thought in the UK tipping is a sign of appreciation. Every day a school day.

There is no tipping culture in the UK. The “optional” (not so optional) service charge in some restaurants has confused things a bit, but there absolutely is no expectation of tipping in the UK. Some people do choose to tip, however. I never tipped hotel staff in the UK, just like I never tipped hairdressers, manicurists, facialists etc. I live in the US now and tip all of these workers.

What about those that carry heavy bags to your room or car? And if you do, both at start or end of day.

*stay not day.

They're not doing it as a favour! It's their job. I always carry my own bags, but if I didn't I would just say thank you.

I tip in restaurants and occasionally tip hairdressers or taxi drivers. I often ask bar staff to "take one [a drink] for yourself", which they seem happy with (like I used to be when I was a barmaid), but like others have pointed out, we're not generally a tipping culture.

I don’t tip in uk hotels. In other countries I follow the local custom and tip what ever is usual. I would never give money in an envelope though, feels very condescending to me.

Thanks. If I stay in a plush hotel with a work conference etc it feels sometimes expected & I feel like it might be the etiquette? Is it different at say the Savoy etc? USA tourists I guess will def routinely tip the Bell boy etc.

To be honest, @User14March, this is why I always carry my own bags, to avoid any awkwardness! I have only stayed at The Savoy overnight, so it wasn't an issue 😊

Never. Although it appears to be expected in the US.

Seems to be the form on USA type cruises post cruise for lots of staff.

I leave a tip in the restaurant if we have had a fantastic meal but otherwise......no I don't tip