Tipping, What's The Going Rate?

Tipping, the practice of giving someone extra money for service, has existed for centuries. We tip for various reasons: good service in the future, super service, and unusual service, like a singing waiter. You may have tipped someone because they were funny.

But most of us tip to compensate for low wages. Tipping has gotten confusing in the last few years. The question is, "Why?"

There are more people to tip. According to a "Forbes" article on the MSNBC Web site, we used to be looked after by a few service people. Today we are looked after by many. "Now there are pool attendants and ski concierges, personal shoppers and fitness coaches, not to mention butlers galore," according to the site.

Tipping rates vary. As the howstuffworks Web site explains, the practice "varies not only from country to country but from city to city." You know this if you're a frequent traveler. Tipping rates have increased almost everywhere. Daryn Eller, in his "Guide to Tipping" published the "Oprah Magazine" Web site, describes the change.

"If it seems as if you have to shell out tips left and right, that's because you do," says Eller.

Tipping has gotten complex. So complex the state of California, Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, has established guidelines for it. The state Web site answers questions about tipping, employees' rights, and guidelines for protecting them.

One guideline: Employees should receive a credit card tip "not later than the next regular payday following the date the patron authorized the credit card payment." Under California law employers may not deduct tips from paychecks and may not use an employee's tips as minimum wage credit.

The tip you give depends on the service you get. Luxury service (cruise ship, five-star hotel, posh resort) requires larger tips. It can be confusing. To avoid confusion the Holland America Line adds a $10 per day tip to each passenger's bill. One third of this amount goes to cabin stewards, one third goes to food workers, and one third goes to behind-the-scenes employees.

How much should you tip? Here are some guidelines for the US. Consult your travel agent and travel guides for tipping rates in other countries.

Doorman -- $2 for hailing a cab

Bellhop -- $2 per bag (more if your bags are large and heavy)

Chambermaid -- $2 to $4 a day

Room Service -- $10% to 15% (unless it's included in your bill)

Coat check -- $1 per coat

Server -- 18% - 20%

Bartender -- 15% to 20%

Concierge -- $5 to $10

Taxi driver -- 15% to 20%

Airport shuttle driver -- $1 to $2 per bag

Hair stylist -- 15% - 20%

Postal worker -- $20 at holiday time

Pizza delivery -- $2 to $5

Newspaper delivery -- $15 to $25 at holiday time

Garbage collection -- $15 to $25 at holiday time

Part-time cleaning lady -- One day's wages (or more) at holiday time

When you give someone a monetary tip please take a moment to give them a verbal "tip." Your brief comment, such as "Thanks for your excellent service. I'll ask for you next time," will give them a smile that lasts for days.

People Helping People Inc (What's it All About)

An exciting thing is happening around the world and PHP Inc. is at the forefront of helping people like you take advantage of it. You know that virtually everyone has a cell phone these days, including small children. What you may not know is that more and more people are shifting from post-paid cell phone agreements to pre-paid usage.

Right now, consumers are paying around $15 billion every month on cell phone bills and around 80% of people in America have post-paid cell phone contracts. Yet, in the coming 5 years most will switch to pre-paid because they are more convenient and a lot more affordable. This transition has already occurred in Europe where at least 80% of all people are now using pre-paid cellular phone services.

So, what does this have to do with you? What does People Helping People Inc. have to do with this massive shift from post-paid to pre-paid cell phone usage? The shift has everything to do with you and PHP Inc. is your key to profiting from it!

Introducing PHP Inc.

People Helping People Inc. is a leader in the 4 trillion dollar global telecommunications industry as a professional provider of pre-paid cell phone services. They offer affordable plans that require no credit checks and which most people can afford from month to month. They are in prime position to take advantage of the upcoming surge from post-paid to pre-paid cellular phone services because they offer exactly what people are now in high demand of: affordable, reliable pre-paid cell phone services without contracts!

The great thing about all this is that PHP Inc. also has a compensation plan where people like you who are ahead of the oncoming wave of pre-paid cellular phones can get into the People Helping People Inc. network and take advantage of compensation when others join with PHP Inc. as well.

The compensation plan is a great way for people who want to start using more affordable pre-paid cell phone services to benefit financially from their no-contract phone usage. While you enjoy a great rate on your own cell phone use you can pass those savings on to your friends and family members who will be making the same switch to pre-paid services in the near future. For every person that you bring to People Helping People Inc. you will be compensated. It's as simple as that.

Riding the Wave

It's guaranteed that in the coming five years millions of people are going to make the switch from post-paid cell phone services to pre-paid services. The ability to get the exact same services that they are now getting but without credit history checks, binding contracts, and hidden fees is an attractive offer and more and more people are going to be taking that offer up and running with it in the coming years.

Remember, this shift has already been seen in Europe and the trends are moving in the same direction for America. Within five years the bulk of cell phone users will be using pre-paid phone services of some variety. Many of those people will be with PHP Inc and will earn people just like you compensation.

This wave is going to roll through America whether you get on and ride it out with People Helping People Inc. or not. Doesn't is just make sense to get a great deal on cell phone services and earn compensation as well?