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Mrs. M, I figure you're the best person to ask. Hubby gave me a full day at a spa for Christmas. The tip isn't included. So I will need to tip, but I have absolutely no idea what the appropriate amount is, and to who. I've only been to a spa once, and then it was just a manicure and pedicure, which was easy for tipping because it was the same person. This whole day thing is a bunch of different treatments, facial, massage, the works. So how do I tip, and what percentage of the total should it make?
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
Thanks, jeniwren. It's funny, I was reading the title and I thought, "Oh, someone's asking Mrs.M for advice. Wait a minute, I'm Mrs.M."
It's 15-20% of the total and, unfortunately, there are no guidelines on who (whom?) to tip. I just leave the tip money in an envelope and ask the attendant to divide it up. Or, if I know each of the service providers, I ask for several envelopes and write their names on them. I don't tip when the services are provided because that ruins the mood for me.
What a thoughtful gift, btw!
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Sadly, I am. I grew up in a dairy farming community and cow tipping was a huge problem for us.
Drunken frat boys don't realize that tipping cows can injure or kill them. It's not like shoving someone out of bed - they don't have arms to break their falls and they're very heavy. In addition to being disgustingly cruel to the animals, cow tipping places a huge financial burden on farmers, who struggle to make ends meet during the best of times.
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Drat, I was just about to post the 'Farmgirl: I need advice on cow tipping' Dobie thread. Foiled again!
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Jeniwren, there is a great website, if i can find it, that has all the non-cow tipping information you need.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Thanks, Mrs. M, I knew I could count on you! They'll probably give me the opportunity to tip at the very end as I'm leaving. I think I'll just do as you suggest and leave it as a lump sum and have them divide it out.
I'm not thinking that cow-tipping would be wise to do in a spa. I might not be allowed back.
Elizabeth, if you find that website, I'd love to read it....I try to tip well, but I'm sure I've messed up a lot just through ignorance.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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This is not the same one, but has the same basic info. I should have saved the other one, but by gum, if you can find an old thread on this topic, I think I posted there.
The thing is, it will make you feel like a horrible cheapskate, because of all the places you are supposed to tip and don't. ha ha.
Remember, though, a tip is a tip. It should not be solicited. If you get really crappy service, don't tip, or tip a minimum amount.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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"If you get the idea that tip jars are inappropriate at any food-service establishment that does not actually bring the food to your table and keep your drinks refilled, then you are correct."
(from that site)
Thank you!! I see tip jars everywhere, and I think they are way tacky, most of the time.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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I do tip my drive thru espresso girl in those jars. Usually they're college girls and they use the tips to help finance their education. But other than that, I ignore tip jars.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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