When’s the Best Time to Tip the Concierge?
And How Generous Should You Be?
You arrive at your hotel. It’s as nice as you expected, with friendly receptionists and a knowledgeable-looking concierge. You are glad of that because you’ll be in town for almost a week and you’ve never been in this city before.
You know from experience that an attentive concierge is worth his weight in gold. The old question pops into your head. Should you talk to him now and slip him a big tip? Or do it later, after he’s helped you with something? And when you do tip him, how much?
The traditional protocol is to give the tip either after each act of service or at the end of the stay. Another idea, which you admit came to you from some less noble part of your soul, suggests that you should tip the man now. And make it a big, unforgettable tip.
Which makes more sense?
My inclination is to give a good tip up front. When I worked as a server in various restaurants, I was poor and eager for income, and so I would have preferred to be tipped first so I could expend my courtesies accordingly. Thus, when I’m the guest, I am inclined to give a good tip (even a very good tip) initially to increase the odds that I’ll get A+ service.
On the other hand, if I give the schmuck a great tip and don’t get that A+ service, I’ll be pissed at him and doubly pissed at myself.
If I were more enlightened, I’d probably give the tip upon leaving and give an amount that is considered appropriate for that type of hotel. That way, I’d be giving the concierge a chance to treat me, and everyone else, with that A+ service, which would be better for all the hotel guests and for him doubly because it would put him in the habit of not prejudging guests as they arrive (based on how they are dressed or whatever) and giving superior service to all.
Yes, that would probably be the right thing to do in terms of the universalizing my ethics. But I don’t think I’m going to be doing that. I’m not that evolved. I’m going to stick with my instincts and give the guy a big, fat tip as soon as I come in.
Paris Is So Advanced Now… So Au Courant!
When I was first in Paris 50 years ago, everything about the city seemed antiquated. The subway system. The public telephones. The way that banks worked. Public transportation. Even the way you bought coffee and a croissant in the morning.
Today, buying coffee is very much the same. And that feels good. But much of the rest of it – everything technical, mechanical, electrical, etc. – seems more advanced than in the States. Airport transportation is super-quick and efficient. Hotel elevators somehow know what floor your room is on and take you there automatically. Bathrooms are newer and cleaner.
I’ve seen this happen before. With cellphones in Ireland and in Nicaragua. In the US, we have all the modern technology first, but then we must spend years having our gizmos upgraded as the state of technology advances. Other countries that are not so innovated don’t seem to mind waiting a few years before they adopt our technology – so when they start using it, they are using the most advanced version, while we are a few steps behind.
