Traveller's crash course on tipping

Today, that has changed, for the most part. In many European countries, a tip is automatically added. Some countries expect tips even though there is no place to add it onto the credit cards, yet the culture of other countries is such that they genuinely do not expect to receive anything more for exemplary service. Interestingly, even the currency you should tip in varies. Some, particularly Mexico and some of the Caribbean countries, prefer U.S. dollars, while other regions prefer to see tips only in their local currency.

Q. Should we be tipping at an all-inclusive resort, since presumably it is included, and does the staff actually get any additional "tip" dollars from my booking?

A. I had this question last year and was not able to give a definitive answer on the second part of your question. However, I have since been able to find out what some properties do for their staffs in this regard.

Most of the workers at many of the resorts in Mexico do not make much more than $3 to $4 a day.

At one of the high-end resorts I researched, they do, in fact, process tips to the staff on a scale depending upon the job performed. A bellboy might get an additional $1.50 for each room they take luggage to and from.

Waiters will get a similar amount for each table they serve. The maids are on a different scale, as are the other workers.

At the end of it all, they don't make a lot of money and although the cost of living is certainly less than it is here, to have any decent standard of life, what they earn from their hospitality jobs is still not all that great.

It is perhaps the reason you now see more and more people tipping the person who brings beverages to those lying on the beach or beside the pool. Or the person who carries your bags for you. Or the maid, by way of a small leave-behind.

I have heard stories where some service personnel at resorts indicate, in more than subtle ways, that they expect a gratuity of some kind. That has not been my observation, and I am amazed how friendly the staff is, regardless of whether their service is recognized with a bit of a tip.

The places we choose to escape to each winter are usually countries that are developing nations at best. I have come to realize that the little extras we leave behind won't hurt most of us financially, but can have a significant impact on the lifestyle of the people we choose to reward.

Q. How does tipping in Europe and other countries vary from what we do here in Canada?

A. You really need to examine your bill closely, as each country is different.

In England, France and Italy, a service charge of 10 to 15 per cent is usually, but not always, added to your bill. Japan is one of the countries where tips are not usually expected at restaurants, but are appreciated.

In most countries, the idea of tipping the people who take your luggage is common and often expected. Local currency is best in developed nations, while the U.S. greenback is much more appreciated in Third World countries.

The euro has really gained in acceptability, even though it has suffered a setback during the current economic crisis around the world.

I was surprised on my recent trip to Playa del Carmen to see prices quoted in U.S. dollars, euros, and pesos. Perhaps this is because that area has succeeded in attracting so many European tour operators who are filling their resorts.

At the Royal Resort where we stayed, I can safely estimate that there were nearly as many Dutch and Italian guests as there were Canadian.

Going forward, I believe the euro will regain much of the impetus it had before the current economic meltdown.

Q. Is it true we will be having another non-stop carrier to London, England, this summer, replacing the Zoom Airlines flights we had last year?

A. The Winnipeg Airports Authority has been trying to attract a new company to come into our market to satisfy the demand that the now-bankrupt Zoom succeeded in creating. I believe it will happen soon.

An airline recently had its hands slapped by the government for not following protocol in establishing itself as the legitimate carrier from a number of Canadian gateways. The belief is that once this airline comes back with the appropriate documentation and follows the required process, approval will be given for them to serve a number of Canadian markets, and I believe Winnipeg will be one.

There are some tremendous bargains to be had in the United Kingdom now, as the pound loses value and hotels lower rates to attract customers.

Forward your travel questions to askjourneys@journeystravel.com. Ron Pradinuk is president of Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre and can be heard Sundays at noon on CJOB. Previous columns and tips can be found on www.journeystravel.com or read Ron's travel blog at www.thattravelguy.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 7, 2009 E2