www.CostaRicaTicas.com

what is a reasonable tip to leave on a daily basis for the maid? I was thinking $5 per day unless I request more towels.then say maybe $2 for more towles. sound fair?

IMO, too much. I think the typical tip is ¢1,000/day. If you're really generous, make it ¢2,000. If they do something extra (extra towels, change sheets twice, etc) an extra tip is appropriate.

My very first trip, I asked for extra towels and when she brough them I gave her a dollar. She was shocked, I guess she was not used to tips.

Or was she "shocked" that it was just a dollar? lol
In all seriousness Orange is right about the amount of tipping.

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This is complete preference...

I like to huddle the ones that will be doing my room while I'm there and tell them flat out that I will tip them when I leave. They never seemed bothered by this notion.

Personally if its 2 girls, I tip $75 per week. This may seem high but I can also be a pain with some of my request.


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Like disposing of the dead bodies?

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mh

No wonder they love you so much there.

Yea but Orange....I dont even wanna think about the number of wet spots and in what places they occur in his room

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

75$?

I never tip maid's.
I understand peoples opinion on it, and how it is a nice gesture considering their salaries.

To each their own. I just don't feel the need. Tipping is an American habit, that some people feel the need to take with them everywhere. I for one, drop it pretty quickly.

Not a bad thought. lol

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I tip $2.00 /day, but then usually also give small gifts etc. at the end of my stay (i.e. perfume, etc.) Also, I invite the room maid at the end of my trip to keep any leftover shampoo, conditioner, booze, candy or whatever. They always seem appreciative. I also give a $2.00 additional propina for extra towels, etc.

Once I tipped Maria (formerly at SL) $10.00. She actually threw her arms around me and wept her thanks.

J-Mack... you're wrong. Tipping is not in fact a North American custom; otherwise words like "propina" wouldn't exist in other languages. In my experience, people who either undertip or don't tip at all have never had to work a service job where tips are considered part of the whole compensation package. Bartenders, maids, waitresses and beauticians/barbers depend on tips as a large part of their earnings.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Disagree El C.
Just because its in the language doesn't mean a whole lot. It is in-fact an American custom. Most countries (CR included) integrate a service fee of roughly 5-15% or a flat fee per table.

I'm not against tipping. I give credit where credit is due. I just think the practice of tipping for everything is more of a negative then a positive. Tipping a waitress just because she choose that job and showed up for work is ridiculous. Tipping a maid just because she showed up and changed your sheets as she is required is rather dumb. Do you run out and tip your garbage man for taking your trash?

The problem with tipping, a la thee American way; is people come to expect it. Now you walk into a restaurant and every waitress wants 15% because they took a job that is dependent on them going beyond the call of duty. Every taxi driver expects you to round your 25$ fare up to 30$ and every bartender wants you to drop 1$ per drink.

Its not that tipping is right or wrong. But I think before you start handing out money, you should strongly think why you are doing it.

On the topic of maids. If, in the case you have some unusually demanding requests that perhaps interfere with the daily operations of the maid's then yes perhaps you should show your gratitude and offer a few dollars. But for simply changing my toilet paper roll, and pulling the covers over on my bed? Phuck, I think not.


*I have worked in the service industry my entire ( while short ) life. I have never expected nor frowned upon someone who wasn't happy with my service. Yes it would be nice if people left a tip, but its their money and if I didnt feel that the money I was making was sufficient then perhaps I should be looking for another job; not mooching off other people for my sorrows.

You must know Steve Buscemi's rap in Reservoir Dogs by heart.

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mh

In my experience, they are mostly just cheap.

Don't think service industry people are a good analogy.Most people in the bar/restaurant industry are known to wildly over tip and are eargerly sought after as customers by other hospitality workers. I can not say if it is true or not with maids.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

In my opinion why not just throw the maids a few bucks a day for the job they do? You know they don’t make much anyway and it sure is nice to see a nice friendly smile when you return to the hotel/room or back to an establishment for another trip of R&R. I tip two dollars per day, times that by the length of my normal vacations and we are talking less than $20.00. What’s the big deal? I know it is to those maids though…..

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