Tipping w/ Trinkets v. $$$

I have read a couple of reviews from "Debbies Dominican" web site some of the all-inclusive resorts, and it was mentioned by a couple of people that rather then tipping the staff w/ $$ they gave them things like Lipstick, cassettes, perfume, one person even left his walkman. I was wondering what thoughts people had regarding this??? My husband and I will be returning to the DR for our Second trip May 29th, staying at the Paradisus and we Can't wait!!!

Thanks, Diane

Unlike the situation in Cuba, there is no shortage of goods in Santo Domingo. Leaving lipstick or a bottle of perfume as a "tip" for a woman who may very well be concerned about putting food on the table for her family is counterproductive and a bit condescending. I'd recommend the cash route any day when it comes to tipping.

I agree with the second response. You may want to leave your USED toilet articles for the natives and it would be appreciated. However, when they are working for low wages and a half a bottle of inexpensive perfume does little to feed the mouths of maybe 6 or 8 children.....If you want to leave the trinkets IN ADDITION to a cash tip....that is wonderful and very generous. But remember, the main concern here is being able to buy rice and beans for supper!!!

Thank you for your thoughts, I happen to agree w/ you.. I personally would feel weird leaving something like that if I thought someone was doing a good job and worked extra hard to make the day more pleasant for me. I would think that they would appreciate the extra $$ rather than something like lipstick.. I know I would I just wanted to know if others have heard of this, or have done this..

Diane

Just returned from the Flamenco resort in Playo Dorado. After reading this message board and others, i had decided to take gifts in the form of toiletries and school supplies. Everyday i left something on the pillow, like shampoo. One day the maids did not take their gift. Same thing happened to my friends. I do not know if the maids did not like our gift, forgot it, or were simply sending us a signal that they would prefer cash. Our travel rep told us that 10 percent of the price we paid was "gratuity" and that tipping was a personal choice. We did tip one bartender in cash, and our drinks then had the little paper umbrellas on them, which was nice, as it was his way of saying thanks, i think. From talking to various hotel staff, it you are not tipping in cash, they do like things for their children, especially candy. The only problem we had with tipping was at the golf course. The caddies TELL YOU what they want for a tip,and are very forceful about it. It was a major turnoff. I also heard, not sure if it is true, that if you do tip cash, they have to pool their tips with their fellow staff members. Anyway, i now think that cash tipping is the best.

Hi Diane --

I've been in and out of the DR for the past six years and I agree with the people who would rather leave ITEMS instead of money. The Dominican staff people would often rather have the American things..,hard to explain, but it does something for their spirit.

I have adopted family who live and work in the La Romana area resorts and they tell me that they like the things: another thing they LOVE is clothes -- especially after the aftermath of Hurricane Georges...so many lost everything and have to go to sometimes desperate lengths to replace those losses.

The most requested things are: tee shirts and sneakers[called tenis]. For women, hair"dodads"-- barrettes and hair ornaments. Yes, the cassettes are a hot item too. Prices for these imported items are ery high and prohibitive for some. My people are very proud and hesitate to ask for something. Anything offered or left will be gratefully appreciated.

Have a good trip and an enjoyable stay.

Dee

First of all, if I were to consider leaving extras (in addition to $$) for the staff I would never give them my USED items (please!) I would instead consider bringing extra new items w/ me.. I have also heard of people giving the children things like a ball, truck or doll, perhaps this may be more acceptable? Lord know I have a ton of extra dolls, stuffed animals etc, lying around the house, and my linen closet is full of Unused items.. and if these things would be appreciated I may consider bringing them w/ me..

Diane

Just a "personal" point of view, but I tip as I would in the US. $2-3 per night for housekeeping, $2 per bag for the porter, any employee who performs an "extra" service should be tipped accordingly. From experience, it is a very good idea to give the bartenders and waiters a "little" something extra when you first visit the more popular bars or discos, you won't be at the back of the line for long.

I think the "trinket" idea may have been misunderstood; Many of us like to bring extra gifts to give to the employees in ADDITION to the customary monetary tip. The little lipsticks, shampoo etc are very warmly received, but as Dr Campbell points out, they (Employees of the resorts) need money to feed their families also.

No one should feel obligated to give more than they can afford, but most resort employees work for what we consider pocket change.

Tipping is always a tough issue, different countries, different customs, do what "YOU" think you would appreciate being in their place.

I remember bartending while in College; I had this one "regular" who always bemoaned that he had "Only enough to drinl, he would tip me some other time" After a few months of the "other time" never coming, I got plain rude and told him to have one less drink and leave the "extra" as my tip!!

Tom

Lynn, My guess is that the maids did not believe that the items that were left on the pillows were theirs for the taking. If you would have left them on your last day I am sure they would have been appreciated. When you think about it, who would assume that something laying on a pillow would be for you???

We always leave our gift on the pillow, in Cancun, in Cuba, in Venezuela. And what was funny, was that they did take the gifts the first couple of times, then skipped one day!! Anyway, this is a cute story: my in-laws stayed at the Gran Veneta next door to the Flamenco last month for 2 weeks. She regularly left gifts on the pillow. She is an Avon rep and took loads of samples. One day, they were in a hurry to leave the room, and simply rushed out the door. When they returned they realized that they had left a new pair of swimming trunks and her panties on the bed.....and they were gone!!