Butler and Concierge workload

[boopsahoy]

IMO, I wish the archaic tipping custom would disappear and people earned a salary equivalent to the job they did.

 

I agree with this. :D

[sverigecruiser]

Halos that is quite easy to understand really. If you read any of the tipping threads on here. If someone says they want to remove the DSC, the first thing that is said is "how dare they even consider it, you would be basically taking food from the service worker's families mouths by removing it, they depend on that because they make such a low wage. Leaving the impression that tipping someone is a subsity for wages and therefore brings up the question of why should you need to subsidize someone who makes more than you.

 

Secondly, back in the day tipping wasn't as wide spread as it is now and tipping was for those careers that were paid a lower income than minimum wage and therefore needed their tips to again subsidize their income. Or commission type careers that could have a fluctuating clientel.

 

Tipping over the years has definately taken on a whole new dynamic.

 

Although I completely agree that someone's salary is nobodys business but their own. There are a lot of people that serve me and serve me well that are not in a "tipping career" field. And make less money than others that are.

 

IMO, I wish the archaic tipping custom would disappear and people earned a salary equivalent to the job they did.

 

Thank you for really understand what I mean!

[dlynn0366]

After reading about tipping on this forum last March before leaving on Epic I put together 3 envelops for the stewart, butler, concierge with a $100.00 in each. The butler I used once asking him for a iron but I did find goodies he left each day and the concierge escorted us down for 2 shows and then off the ship in the am. The room stewart earned his $100 trying to get the coffee machine to read in English again after I played with it :p. The fact that they are there if I need them and plus the fact I put myself through university working as a waitress just makes me want to tip people. I'm booked again next March on Epic and will tip the same :)

[palmyrafan]

After reading about tipping on this forum last March before leaving on Epic I put together 3 envelops for the stewart, butler, concierge with a $100.00 in each. The butler I used once asking him for a iron but I did find goodies he left each day and the concierge escorted us down for 2 shows and then off the ship in the am. The room stewart earned his $100 trying to get the coffee machine to read in English again after I played with it :p. The fact that they are there if I need them and plus the fact I put myself through university working as a waitress just makes me want to tip people. I'm booked again next March on Epic and will tip the same :)

 

I have also worked in the service industry waiting tables at some pretty nice restaurants. Some nights I would make great tips and others not so great. It depended on the clientele and how happy you could keep them. I worked my butt off, barely having time to slow down and take a breath. Not only did I wait tables, but I also helped clean up in the kitchen, helped re-stock the bar and even cleaned the bathrooms and I was one of the senior wait staff! My base line was $2.15 an hour plus tips and I had to report every single tip.

 

Some people believe in tipping, others don't. Bottom line? Tip what you can afford and what you think the services are worth. But don't be skimpy because you have "done the math" and "discovered" they make more than the average person. You have no idea what their circumstances at home are like and how many people they may be supporting. Trust me, most of the staff (butler and concierge included) don't like leaving their families for long extended periods of tiime, but they do it to give their families a better chance in the game of life.

[halos]

Tip what you can afford and what you think the services are worth. But don't be skimpy because you have "done the math" and "discovered" they make more than the average person. .

 

Exactly what I have been trying to say:)

 

 

...and to those that feel 'sorry' for the crew members...please don't. They actually may LIKE their jobs. Working as a service employee is very challenging but is SO rewarding as well because most people are totally awesome and working with the public can be really nice.

Tip out of appreciation....NOT PITY!

[che5904]

...and to those that feel 'sorry' for the crew members...please don't. They actually may LIKE their jobs. Working as a service employee is very challenging but is SO rewarding as well because most people are totally awesome and working with the public can be really nice.

Tip out of appreciation....NOT PITY!

 

Well said Halos.

[sjbdtz]

IMO, I wish the archaic tipping custom would disappear and people earned a salary equivalent to the job they did.

 

I agree with this. :D

 

 

 

So....who decides what type of job is worth what amount of money?

 

 

?

[valleyvillage]

And why is it that when others have worked hard, advanced in their chosen careers and are being rewarded for their success some people feel the need to deem them as undeserving of their income? I just don't get it. This is the reward they get for providing outstanding service and making our trip and the hard earned money we spent to go on the trip worthwhile. Thank you to all the staff that have helped make my cruises so memorable and I hope that you make sufficient income to enjoy your time off as much as I do.

 

Jumping off my soapbox now.

 

Bravo, Amen, Hallelujah!:D

[em-sk]

I work in the hospitality/customer service industry. The idea of paying employees extremely low wages because they will get tips is a uniquely US idea, I think. A server in a restaurant can be paid $2.13 an hour if they are in a tipping position. Look at that number!! A server must also report tip money and be taxed on it. I bet a non-US flagged cruise line probably does not come close to paying that much, if you were to "do the math" and add up hours worked to the amount of the contract...

 

I don't know if this is a uniquely American trait or if it is just taken to an extreme in the US.

 

Using Canada as a comparison, the Canada and US dollar are virtually the same in value. Minimum wages in Canada varies between $9.50 and $11 based on province or territory. The idea of having a base salary of $2.13 is quite foreign and illegal. Tipping in Europe and Canada is expected but the percentages tend to be lower and used as a way of recognizing good service as opposed to paying for the base salary.

 

As for the cruise ships it is not clear to the average passenger who is being payed by the cruise line a living wage and who is relying on tips. I may trip the server since it is expect. I don't trip the captain or the service agent at the front desk who answer a question about my invoice.

[che5904]

Tipping in Europe and Canada is expected but the percentages tend to be lower and used as a way of recognizing good service as opposed to paying for the base salary.

 

I guess it depends on what part of Canada you are from. I wouldn't say that the expected 15 - 20% of a bill (Ontario) is "lower" than the states.

[em-sk]

I guess it depends on what part of Canada you are from. I wouldn't say that the expected 15 - 20% of a bill (Ontario) is "lower" than the states.

 

I have always considered 10-15% before tax normal in Canada recognising good service. Pretty much equal to GST+PST.

While I generally do 15-20 % in the US. Recognising good service but also recognising that not much of what I am actually paying as the base cost of the meal is going to the front line employee.

Europe I tend to do around 5%. It is hard to say any of these number are right or wrong.