Tipping

[possum52]

5 hours ago, cachouonacruise said:

Just to make sure, I do not mi-apply the no-tipping policy in Australia and New-Zealand, does the no-tipping apply also to:

 

serving staff in a sit-down restaurant? Yes
tour guides, on excursions?                 Yes

bus drivers on tour excursions?           Yes

 

Thank-you so much for confirming! Tipping has always been one of my main concerns when travelling. Never know when or how much to tip to meet correct expectations. 

Of course, even if tipping is not required or expected, if you have exceptional service and want to tip feel free to. Australians tend to for example if in a restaurant, the bill came to $97, we might round up to $100. 

[yarramar]

17 hours ago, cachouonacruise said:

Just to make sure, I do not mi-apply the no-tipping policy in Australia and New-Zealand, does the no-tipping apply also to:

 

serving staff in a sit-down restaurant?
tour guides, on excursions?

bus drivers on tour excursions?

 

Thank-you so much for confirming! Tipping has always been one of my main concerns when travelling. Never know when or how much to tip to meet correct expectations. 

Chances are that some are making more than you are.

A job advertised last week for a tour bus driver gave a salary of $65K to $85K plus 10.5% superannuation.

Traffic control personnel (holding a stop/slow sign) can earn up to $193K PA (with penalty payments) in Melbourne

[PerfectlyPerth]

On 5/14/2023 at 2:43 AM, cachouonacruise said:

Just to make sure, I do not mi-apply the no-tipping policy in Australia and New-Zealand, does the no-tipping apply also to:

 

serving staff in a sit-down restaurant?
tour guides, on excursions?

bus drivers on tour excursions?

 

Thank-you so much for confirming! Tipping has always been one of my main concerns when travelling. Never know when or how much to tip to meet correct expectations. 

And again. Read all previous posts. Please. 
 

- nothing

- nothing 

- nothing

 

There are NO tipping expectations in Australia. For any occupation. 
None. Zip. Nada. 
 

They are all well paid jobs. Unlike the US there is no requirement for staff here to beg for a living from tourists. 

[ceeceeDee]

Totally agree that tipping is not required Down Under. However, if we go to a nice restaurant for dinner and get outstanding service we will generally leave a tip (probably about $5). As an ex-hospitality worker, I can say that a small tip is very much appreciated if we go the extra mile. To illustrate how much we don't expect tips....... I once chased a couple down the street who had left a substantial amount on the table, thinking that they had forgotten their change. Turned out it was my tip!!!! Totally unexpected and I was quite embarrassed.😯🙂

[jamscckmc]

So nothing for tour guides? I’m guessing a bus full of Americans who are so used to tipping will still tip. Hopefully most will take the time to research local customs.

[possum52]

8 hours ago, jamscckmc said:

So nothing for tour guides? I’m guessing a bus full of Americans who are so used to tipping will still tip. Hopefully most will take the time to research local customs.

You do not need to tip anyone in Australia and NZ including tour guides. Thank you for researching our local customs. it can avoid embarrassement for all concerned.

[Host Bonjour]

On 2/23/2023 at 2:59 PM, possum52 said:

But in saying that, we have on occasion left a tip for exceptional service, usually by rounding up - eg, a meal cost $92, we may pay $100. It does have to be for exceptional service though.

 

Hi Everyone!

 

Lately I've been asking our locals to describe an experience when they have left a tip. Describing the monetary situation, I've observed after years of watching this debate unfold on boards covering multiple continents, is that mathematical examples might not be cracking through the cultural divide.

 

Providing some experiential scenarios might just: "when we were out at this restaurant, we left something extra because the food/host/server ______" or some other service somewhere was wonderful, and provide descriptions about the reasons why you felt compelled to round up or pay a bit extra, instead of how much extra you paid. (Including how common or uncommon an experience this might be, optional.) 

 

These scenarios might be helpful prompts or guides for visitors to keep in mind when they're having experiences and feeling more comfortable in the moment. Always nice to feel at ease on holiday and who better to have advice from than the folks at home? Thanks in advance to our friends in Oz and NZ and hope you're all doing well, whether at home or away. 🙂

 

Colleen

[GUT2407]

I have seen some massive tips left (by people who were RICH all in caps). One fellow left a tip of near on $2,000, it was a bill of $100 odd he rounded to $2,000. He later explained it thus “You heard him saying he was looking for extra shifts, as he had Uni books and fees to pay for” (the waiter had been asking his boss about extra shifts) I’d have given him $2000 even if we weren’t eating there, so why not as a tip. 

[Kristelle]

I would only round up to the nearest 5 or 10 at most - ie to the amount of no coins $ 5 note being smallest note denomination.

 

If anything. I would do that for taxis,pizza deliveries, maybe cafes and restatuants. But Mostly nothing. You never give loose money to pre paid things like tour guides. 

 

If I am paying by cash and there is a tips jar on the counter I will put my coins change into it - so again, less than $5 -  sometimes it is tips, often a collection container for local sports club or volunteer organisation.

More for convenience and simplicity than exceptional service. And wanting to help local organisations if a fundraising container 

Often these containers are clear perspex - you can see they are filled with coins, not notes. 

 

If somebody gives exceptional service or an experience or food or whatever was really good and you want to acknowledge that, go on tripadvisor or the company's website or Facebook page and leave a public message saying so.

In the case of an individual, leave a letter for management saying so.

 

This benifits them much more, while in keeping with culture of country you are in. 

 

And still fulfills your need to give them something extra. 

 

 

 

 

 

[PerfectlyPerth]

18 hours ago, Host Bonjour said:

 

Hi Everyone!

 

Lately I've been asking our locals to describe an experience when they have left a tip. Describing the monetary situation, I've observed after years of watching this debate unfold on boards covering multiple continents, is that mathematical examples might not be cracking through the cultural divide.

 

Providing some experiential scenarios might just: "when we were out at this restaurant, we left something extra because the food/host/server ______" or some other service somewhere was wonderful, and provide descriptions about the reasons why you felt compelled to round up or pay a bit extra, instead of how much extra you paid. (Including how common or uncommon an experience this might be, optional.) 

 

These scenarios might be helpful prompts or guides for visitors to keep in mind when they're having experiences and feeling more comfortable in the moment. Always nice to feel at ease on holiday and who better to have advice from than the folks at home? Thanks in advance to our friends in Oz and NZ and hope you're all doing well, whether at home or away. 🙂

 

Colleen

 

Colleen surely you have noticed in every tipping thread that the actual consensus is "NO! Australia does not have (nor need) a tipping culture" and just be done with it. Rather than asking for a plethora of individual examples that are based solely on how a specific person felt on a specific day. Do you not think that just exacerbates a topic that is already over discussed?

For every example "oh I had a $2 coin taking up room in my pocket so I put it in the tip jar" it will just cause 5 more posts saying "can I do it with a $5 note?". I just don't see that as a productive use of the topic. 
 

As I most commonly say - if people want to randomly give out spare cash - the streets and parks are currently filled with the highest number of homeless people since pre WW1 Great Depression. 
 

My other most common response on the topic - if a waiter performed CPR on me (which is about the only thing above and beyond what they are paid to do - being to take my order and bring me my food) I would say a gracious thanks and buy them a drink. I would not demean their actions with a tip. 

[cachouonacruise]

Thank-you very much Perfectly Perth, for providing us clear guidelines. I am really glad to learn that employees in Australia and New-Zealand are well paid and well treated by their employers.

 

In Canada, sadly, the tipping culture is getting fuzzier by the minute....

 

Years ago, a tip of about 15% on the before tax amount, was typical in full service restaurants. A smaller tip could be provided to taxi drivers, food delivery drivers, hair dressers....Now machines are programmed to give 15%, 18%, ( more and more the standard or 20% on the total amount, including taxes.... And now, these machines are available even in places where a tip did not used to be required: a counter at a pastry store (where the only service provided, consisted in putting donuts in a box), in hot-dog joints or any other food joints not providing any table service, in taxis, in food delivery cars etc....and you may receive a look, if you don't tip in a place...where we did not use to tip.

 

The same is happening in the cruise industry....We used to be provided tipping guidelines. Now, we prepay them...only to be submitted to discussions about "extra" tipping....to whom and how much? Officially, we're told we don't have to...but a culture is developing, where the staff has come to expecting it...

 

In my opinion, that culture of tipping extra or more, is based on richer people wishing to receive extra or better service, or to feel extra special....Which leaves other people wondering, what is expected from them. Technically, as an employee, if I choose to do a job, I should be compensated by my employer and be happy to do the best I can in my job! ( tipping, should not influence my performance)
 

So, I applaud Australia and New-Zealand, for treating all employees really well and I encourage you to continue with your "no tip" culture. 

 

 

 

 

 

[yarramar]

Australia now has a "tap" culture, as in tap & go your credit or debit card on the eftpos machine. Some places allow you to key in extra but mostly people just "tap & "go". Even tip jars are becoming a thing of the past as there is no longer any change to deposit.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

I would like to thank all the Australians and New Zelanders who have helped to clarify (over and over!) that there is NO TIPPING in either country. I appreciate your patience. It is such a different culture here in the US, and honestly, we all just want to do the right things when we visit your wonderful countries.

If I might ask for clarification on one more example, please?

This is the statement printed in the itinerary for the 7 day land tour of interior Australia before a 13 day cruise around New Zealand this next Oct/Nov on Princess.

GRATUITY INFORMATION 

Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia:   Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day   Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

What is the appropriate action here, please?

Also, I would LOVE to not have to get any Australian or New Zealand cash. Is is possible to use a credit card exclusively?

Thanks so much for helping us --once again!--understand and act correctly according to your customs!

 

[possum52]

40 minutes ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

I would like to thank all the Australians and New Zelanders who have helped to clarify (over and over!) that there is NO TIPPING in either country. I appreciate your patience. It is such a different culture here in the US, and honestly, we all just want to do the right things when we visit your wonderful countries.

If I might ask for clarification on one more example, please?

This is the statement printed in the itinerary for the 7 day land tour of interior Australia before a 13 day cruise around New Zealand this next Oct/Nov on Princess.

GRATUITY INFORMATION 

Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia:   Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day   Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

What is the appropriate action here, please?

Also, I would LOVE to not have to get any Australian or New Zealand cash. Is is possible to use a credit card exclusively?

Thanks so much for helping us --once again!--understand and act correctly according to your customs!

 

No need to tip at all. The tour guides and driver will be well paid. I'm afreaid that the information is from a US point of view and not Australian or New Zealand. In saying that, there are sure to be people who will tip though because that is what they do.

[Kristelle]

10 hours ago, yarramar said:

Australia now has a "tap" culture, as in tap & go your credit or debit card on the eftpos machine. Some places allow you to key in extra but mostly people just "tap & "go". Even tip jars are becoming a thing of the past as there is no longer any change to deposit.

 

 

Yes, good point.

 

I am in regional SA - so regional areas generally slower to change than urban areas - and even so I find I am in the minority using cash.

[Kristelle]

World traveller - it is probably possible to use a card exclusively.

 

I would probably get a very small amount of cash for the occasional place you may not be able to buy small things on card.

 

perhaps $40 of each currency just in case?

[Worldtraveler 4727]

2 hours ago, Kristelle said:

World traveller - it is probably possible to use a card exclusively.

 

I would probably get a very small amount of cash for the occasional place you may not be able to buy small things on card.

 

perhaps $40 of each currency just in case?

 

I am so hoping I can just use a credit card.

What do the rest of you think??

[Worldtraveler 4727]

2 hours ago, possum52 said:

No need to tip at all. The tour guides and driver will be well paid. I'm afreaid that the information is from a US point of view and not Australian or New Zealand. In saying that, there are sure to be people who will tip though because that is what they do.

 

Thank you to all who helped clarify this--once again!

We in the US are very slow to change and accept this. But the tipping is out of control here, and we are finally hearing the rumblings of "that's enough!" You all have had the right idea for a long time. Bravo!

Thanks for taking the time to help us understand how things work in your part of the world. 

You've been very patient with our asking the same question over and over. 😵‍💫

[yarramar]

8 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

 

Thank you to all who helped clarify this--once again!

We in the US are very slow to change and accept this. But the tipping is out of control here, and we are finally hearing the rumblings of "that's enough!" You all have had the right idea for a long time. Bravo!

Thanks for taking the time to help us understand how things work in your part of the world. 

You've been very patient with our asking the same question over and over. 😵‍💫

Don't go to the trouble of getting any cash just to tip. Both tour director and drivers are very well paid and won't lose sleep (and their kids won't go hungry) if you abstain. BTW, they will probably have a mobile card reader. Even the Salvos take them to the pubs these days along with their brass bands when fundraising!

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Thank you, yarramar.

 I was really mainly wondering if a credit card would suffice for even the smallest purchases like a coffee or ice cream cone etc. And wondering if that would also be applicable in NZ as well.

Thanks!

[yarramar]

1 hour ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Thank you, yarramar.

 I was really mainly wondering if a credit card would suffice for even the smallest purchases like a coffee or ice cream cone etc. And wondering if that would also be applicable in NZ as well.

Thanks!

I have used a card to purchase a coffee for $1.00 at a service station. They have since gone up to $1.50

Edited June 22, 2023 by yarramar

[Worldtraveler 4727]

8 hours ago, yarramar said:

I have used a card to purchase a coffee for $1.00 at a service station. They have since gone up to $1.50

 

Thank you! 🤣😂

[PerfectlyPerth]

10 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Thank you, yarramar.

 I was really mainly wondering if a credit card would suffice for even the smallest purchases like a coffee or ice cream cone etc. And wondering if that would also be applicable in NZ as well.

Thanks!

I use credit card (tap and go) or Apple Pay for things as small as a newspaper or bottle of milk at 7/11. I've not used cash anywhere for ten years. 
 

As for the tour guide stuff. It looks like standard Princess text for any tour and they have just inserted the word Australia into it. Ignore it. My friends are tour guides and they are on a 6 figure salary and refuse offers of tips as they find them demeaning. 

[Worldtraveler 4727]

43 minutes ago, PerfectlyPerth said:

I use credit card (tap and go) or Apple Pay for things as small as a newspaper or bottle of milk at 7/11. I've not used cash anywhere for ten years. 
 

As for the tour guide stuff. It looks like standard Princess text for any tour and they have just inserted the word Australia into it. Ignore it. My friends are tour guides and they are on a 6 figure salary and refuse offers of tips as they find them demeaning. 

Well! There you have it! 
I consider this to be the definitive answer to both of my questions.
Thank you so much!
Our cultures are so different in this respect, and I appreciate you and others on this site being straightforward, helpful AND patient with us by answering the same question multiple times! (NOT always the case on Cruise Critic)

Thank you for taking the time to answer my particular concerns. 
 

[Kristelle]

11 hours ago, yarramar said:

I have used a card to purchase a coffee for $1.00 at a service station. They have since gone up to $1.50

  I run a small kiosk for our sports club - people have been know to buy a Zooper dooper ( a small frozen ice thing) for their child for 50c and put it on card.

 

Occasionally - more and more occasionally - small places like market stall etc might not take card

 

that was my thought in getting small amount of cash just in case  - not for tipping.