Now that we are all in a credit crunch/economic downturn/recession, is it still wise,in particular us Brits to tip in DOLLARS? Is the local currency a better rate,which I believe can be exchanged at Male airport? A comparison at current US rates could make some staff better off than those building olympic stadiums in London.Your comments are appreciated.
Tipping in US $ ?
tips are commonly given un USD . that is not a matter of wisdom but of local custom.
it is easiest to get a stash of ones , fives and tens from your local bank before leaving .
to figure out what you are going to need ... minimum usually is : all luggage porters about 2 $ per piece ; roomboy , waiter and barmen expect min. 10$ a week or a couple $ per serve ..anyone else doing any service for you (i.e. bringing cold towels on the beach, etc) usually gets a couple of dollars per service .
ovcerall , we usually figure on about 500 $ for tips for 14 nights.
in my humble opinion .. those of us who can still afford lavish vacations despite the economic dowturn , will probably not go hungry over the exchange rate on a few bucks in a country where tips are the largest part of the staffs income .. smiles
enjoy your trip
Tipping in US $ ?
As spammie says US$ is the main currency and that includes when on day trips to male and local tourist islands.
How much to take depends on your generosity.
Sg
yes.. SG is totally right .. i forgot to mention that you%26#39;ll need USD not only for tipping but for any cash transaction outside your resort .. male .. airport .. fishing village trips .. they all use dollars . i doubt you will find the rufiya accepted in most places.
Hi Langolass
Yes - the mighty greenback is still the currency of choice. I had to order some more today and the rate was $1.35 to the pound! Last time I bought some it was virtually 2 to the pound!
As others have suggested, take small denomination bills.
OD
Just to add on something Spammie said above, re staff expecting tips, anyone who expects gets nothing from us, tips are a gratuity for service, poor service gets nothing .
On another note, we always tip the boat not the individual when on trips--fishing -Diving, we also tip the kitchen box for the backroom staff, we give extra to those that go out of there way to help or do extra and we never tip people in ties, we also leave something for the beach cleaners outside our room , this often gets fresh flowers being left and or the odd coconut. SOME OF THE ISLANDS ARE NOW ALSO ACCEPTING Euros
Rumpole
agree with rumpole about making sure to tip the ';unseen staff'; .. most islands have a special box for the laundry / kitchen/ maintenance workers and the like .
have to disagree with the european concept that a tip is an extra gratuity for extra special service .
you are not in europe , where base salaries cover the worker%26#39;s needs nicely , but in a culture where tipping is considered a moral obligation and makes up most of the service staffs compensation.
for one , being considered a bad tipper comes back to haunt you in numerous ways .. you can stand on your self righteous european legs and save 5 bucks but wait longer for service , get accidentally forgotten and a multitude of other little issues that make your stay less then pleasant ... or you can spend the fiver and get every perk known to mankind .. extra service , extra smiles , extra little favors that really go a long way towards a dream vacation. we have never regretted a single dollar tipped in the maldives .
second .. i simply do not think its fair that we , as guests in a country , bring our western attitudes with us and consider ourselves ever so superior because of them .. no, a tip is not considered a gratuity for above and beyond good service in muslim countries (or even in the united states) .. by proudly not tipping , one puts oneself on ethically shaky legs (in local understanding) and as much as the non-tipper feels righteous about not doing so , the staffmember is righteously annoyed about the slight and feels justified in carrying a grudge.
besides .. we can all afford a few dollars or we wouldn%26#39;t be in the maldives .. but in a 3rd world country , that sum goes a long way towards feeding and educating that staffmembers children .. so i am happy to give a little .
I agree with Spammie to some degree, but I don%26#39;t think we should be morally obliged to tip regardless of the level of service we receive. I am a generous tipper, especially when in countries where you know tips make a huge difference. However, I wouldn%26#39;t give tips to a memeber of staff who was rude or provided a poor level of service. They should be earned, and in the majority of cases in resorts like this, they are.
I would never withold tips if a member of staff wasn%26#39;t exceptional, but on the other hand, I wouldn%26#39;t reward poor service either.
ok.. i agree with weegie ... if someone had been downright rude or caused me problems , i wouldn%26#39;t pay for the pleasure either .. but i haven%26#39;t had that happen in the maldives - not ever , depite numerous trips to different islands.
i guess what i am trying to say : basic , decent service qualifies for a fair tip . above and beyond service gets a better tip .
i would only withold a tip for exeptionally bad service .. as long as i get the service i ';expect'; , i respect the ';right'; of the staffmember to ';expect';
due compensation in form of a small gratuity.
I think - no i know thats what i said in my post , glad i went out and came back but i still reply,
What a very Arogant and Sanctimonious, posting by Spammie.
I know where i am and where i am going and where ive been, i do not need a lecture on Tips.
Rumpole
didn%26#39;t lecture you , Rumpole .. just disagreed :)
smile a little :)
No comments:
Post a Comment