do you tip maids from cleaning services?

technically, I've heard you don't tip the business owner if they are doing the service, but you tip "employees". My cleaning folks run their own service, but I generally tip them a bit anyway. They had quoted me $80 back in the day and I used to give them $100. Then I arranged for more frequent cleanings, committed to a schedule, and asked their price... they said $70, so I give them $80.

If it was a service, I'd give them more, but this is all to them.

I do. Anything from 10 to 20%. I've used Little Elves & NYC Brite in the past for deep cleaning.

There's no such thing as elves. Are they actually midgets, or dwarves?

And do you tip the same amount for cleaners who break things as you do for cleaners who steal things?

This tipping nonsense has GOT to stop already.

i find it particularly offensive to tip housekeeping in hotels. they are amply compensated. let them eat scraps.

EVERYONE is compensated. Tipping should be reserved for those workers who are forced to work BELOW minimum wage because it's EXPECTED they receive tips.

it's simply reprehensible to elevate someone's earnings if they exceed the royal minimum wage standard. do what you wish Matt. but not everyone holds such narrow and uncharitable views toward people who provide service.

maybe we should tip waitstaff in higher class restaurants 8 percent because that would give them a wage above minimum wage?

"maybe we should tip waitstaff in higher class restaurants 8 percent because that would give them a wage above minimum wage?"

Or maybe we should tip our accountants, attorneys, and doctors while we're at it. They all provide "service" too.

my attorney charges $600 an hour. some doctors aren't doing quite as well, but most still have a healthy wage. accountants have more work than they can handle.

no, matt, they don't need tips for their service.

nice try, lame argument. nasty attitude.

I tip the maid at Xmas time only. I give her twice her normal rate the second cleaning in November. This is all you ever need to do.

As for hotel maids - if I leave a big mess, a few dollars. A REALLY big mess, $20.

jason, i think they're talking about housekeepers you hire from a service, not one you have all year long.

and in terms of hotel housekeeping, their wages are horrific. so if they are pleasant and do a good job, leave a few dollars a day.

sorry, obviously that's just my opinion. leave what you will, just a reminder that many of these service providers have fairly primitive working conditions.

My post vanished, damned magic mouse.

If there's anyone one should tip, it's people who work for cleaning services (as opposed
to freelance cleaners). They are held to exacting standards, work for very little, and
their clients often feel overcharged by the service.

Hotel housekeepers - my dear boy, if one can't afford to tip the chambermaid a few bob, you
can't afford the room.

I tip just about everyone in the service industry.

Coffeeshop tip jars - tick.
Guy who holds open the door at Zabar's - tick.
Garage attendants - tick.
Cleaning services/hotel housekeeps - tick.
Babysitters - tick.
Handyman - tick.
Deliverypeople (furniture/appliances/etc) - tick.
Repair/service people - tick.

Accountants/lawyers/docs get referrals from me.

But not bartenders!

AH - bartenders, absolutely, TIP! Especially if the drinks are tasty.

Teachers - tick.
Camp counselors - tick.
Face painters - tick.
Caterers - tick.

Canadians?

Even Canadians. There was an amusing blog started by an NYC waitress that made the outrageous claim that Canadians were widely known as bad tippers.

babysitters? don't you pay them directly?
i also tip homeless door holders sometimes (usually when i have the massive stroller), but i NEVER put money in the coffeeshop/deli jars. i hate them. seems like shameless begging to me.

I round up for babysitters. Especially if they've tidied up the kitchen & living room.

I did not tip the Zabar's door guy until I realized Papa Zabar was quite tolerant of the doorholding thing.

I pretty much only tip IRS auditors, kindly police officers who are concerned that I'm drinking too many sidecars in public places, buildings department employees who are considering the wisdom of my renovation plans, and of course the Registrar at the community college where I'm getting my Ph.D.

And not Canadians.

ah yes, rounding up. thought of it after i typed.

you forgot cab driver.

and don't forget your urologist.

Yes, cab drivers. Urologist, no (hope I never need one). But my midwife was dropping hints left and right with #3.

Dwight-ism :)

We should all tip maids - if anyone's ever read Nickle and Dimed you would too.

"and in terms of hotel housekeeping, their wages are horrific. so if they are pleasant and do a good job, leave a few dollars a day."

Not if they are in union hotels, no.

And as others have pointed out, cleaning services charge a lot more than under the table maids. I cut out the middleman, and my maid makes more even before the tip.

And she is even a citizen to boot.

I was about to make the union/non-union distinction, but jason, how many housekeeps are union these days? Serious question. I know immigrant families from 40+ years ago - some moms went to work as hotel housekeeps. Made decent (relative terms) wages, good shifts, not back-breaking work. Successfully used 2-blue-collar jobs (dads in construction) to lever themselves & kids into solid upper-middle-class (houses all paid for with cash, etc.). I don't know if the same can be said of hotel housekeep jobs today.

Yes to tip when going through and agency. The advise I was given is it is very appreciated- so i do.
I tip about 15%

"if anyone's ever read Nickle and Dimed you would too."

It's a good book.

When I travel with colleagues, particularly younger ones, I remind them to tip the maids.
I expense it though.

No I didn't but I guess maybe I should have. I think because of this I will no longer use a cleaning service but an individual person so the money goes right into her pocket

If you are "expected" to tip someone, it ought to be included in the bill, like many restaraunts now automtically do, like it is in Spain and other countries, like the commission when you shop at Bergdorfs or Bloomies, like the service included at some Four Seasons I have stayed at (or was it the Ritz in Scottsdale?) where the hotel included a 15% service charge in everthing, not just room service, and divided that among the staff.

DOnt like the service somewhere? Dont go there.

There's no Ritz-Carlton in Scottsdale -- but soon in PV.

Yes, tip the maid service workers 20%. Don't listen to NYCMatt (aka Scrooge before "rehab").