I am staying at a very nice small hotel in Cannes, they have been very nice, even letting me stay past check out time since it is quiet making my life much easier. I have been there three days.
Should I leave a tip in the room? I would like to thank the staff, not necessarily the cleaning lady, but the staff. What is appropriate here? Or just thank them. Should I leave something for cleaning lady? Checking out today. Many thanks!
It's tricky tipping staff because money is a topic avoided in France, so it would be awkward handing them anything directly--though I'm sure it's what most people need more than anything else. However, letting them know you how much you appreciated their hospitality and that you will put a glowing review on websites, and name the people and how they helped you would be appreciated. Also, a note to the owners, letting them know how the staff helped would be appreciated.
I once sat down with the owner of an inn in the Tyrol to get the family history of the place, which I then incorporated into my review on TA. The owner was delighted to tell the history.
I always leave something for housekeeping, though they are paid better than in the States; these people are at the bottom of the ladder. If it was the same person daily, I'd leave 5 euros for the three days, or you could have left one or two euros daily.
The hotel policy might require all tips be shared, which is nice, if you want to thank everyone - but then again, you might feel you have to pay more than originally planned.
Tipping is really not necessary, and can be very awkward.
I would definitely leave glowing reviews with specific information on every site you can think of.
This will be a big boost to the hotel's business, and more effective than any tip.
If you are able to speak to the owners personally and thank them, that would be a nice touch.
I think it's very appropriate, and polite, to leave a 1-3 Euro tip every day for the maid. I leave it on the un-made bed so they know it's for them. I leave it every day because there may be someone different cleaning up after you each day. It's a hard job and, to me, it's part of being a good traveler.
Susan, France is not a tipping culture, You do not need to tip anyone.
I would have tipped maid each day. I would not tip the other staff.. ( unless they helped you with your bags etc. then I would tip at time of service).
Front desk staff are often paid more/differently then maids and bellmen..so that's why tipping them is unnecessary . I would not tip front desk staff unless they did something special like made me dinner or tour reservations. I think letting one have a late check out is no skin off their nose( its harder on the maid who then rushes to clean room after you leave).. so I would never think to tip them for that.. Tipping desk staff is not really done in Europe .. and France is not really a tipping culture ( which does not really mean you NEVER tip. it just means a tip should be small and a sincere thanks for GREAT service.. not to supplement a low wage as it is used in America)
I think the best tip is a good review and mention a few staff by name.. they love it.
Pat has hit the nail on the head that personnel don't depend on tips the way US waitstaff do.
For simplicity's sake we say it is not a tipping culture but in reality there are places you do tip. You tip at the beauty salon or barber shop, you tip taxi drivers, you do tip a bellman because his wages do depend on it, you tip a porter--yes, they still exist at train stations, and I choose to tip hotel maids.
Can anyone help with some other professions that get tipped?
Here's a profession R.I.P.: Up until about the 1980s in France every movie theater had young female ushers who you tipped 50 centimes (about 8 cents at the time) for showing you to a seat you could have very well found yourself. I was told they were often women with children who really needed the tip. At intermission (yes, an intermission in the movie) they strapped on a tray of goodies and went up and down the aisles selling Eskimo Bars.
Pat/Susan--I think you might be too young to have seen this but maybe as kids.
Bets just described one of my favorite memories from 1984 when I was a college student in Nice. I remember being pleasantly surprised by the ushers with their snack baskets. It seemed so lovely and civilized. I had hoped that the special treatment at the movies still existed.
Jennifer
Parisonadime, I grew up in Paris and know it well. I tip the maid because I believe it's the right thing to do.
Bets, I do remember! Last time was 2003 (?) on the Champs Elysées 😃
Did they actually take you to your seat, or just sell "Les Eskimos"? Was there still an intermission in 1984 and 2003? I used to love watching the ads until the Gaumonts starting stretching it out over 30 minutes of ads.
I stopped to going to the movies in Paris once the kids were born until they were gone.
Bets, no, they didn't show us to our seats and there was no intermission in 2003, but the cute young woman in a "cute" outfit sold candy bars I believe. My son was 13 (if I'm remembering the right year) and he thought it was great. I'm sure it was only done, by the 2000's, in the nicest theaters. Maybe only on the Champs? I remember going to funky movie theaters in 1975 in Paris and they had nothing like that. But I do remember what you describe in the 1960's and in 1989 (again, on the Champs). Fun memories!
La Pagode on rue de Babylone had "ouvrieres" right up until the theatre closed.
I've been to theatres like Folies Bergere and Bobino, where the ushers took you to your seat.
There was usually a sign somewhere stating that they were not paid, but depended on tips.
I went to see Goodfellas in Paris on opening night in 1990 (I had been looking forward to it, and when I learned it was opening in Paris the same day as New York, I had to go). Everyone, not just me, was surprised to see an usher who had to be tipped; I wasn't the only one fishing around for change. So, it was definitely not a common thing by 1990, but did still exist in some places.
Unfortunately for Solange, the OP, I have nothing to say about tipping in hotels.
Oh French cinema!
I lived in a small town back in 2008 in France and it had a lovely little movie theatre (before they moved it to a new building). You would buy your ticket, take your seat. Then they would show the previews, the lights would come up and people would buy their snacks. That was back before Magnum bars were available in the US, and they were such a treat. Then you'd go in and the movie would start.
I just want to thank you all for your input, and stories! Happy to have facilitated any fun memories or conversations. My first time on the forum and lovely experience! A bit delayed in responding due to a sick pet, but appreciate your comments no less!! Thank you!
Glad to hear that although "France is not a tipping culture" that some of you feel that it is "appropriate and polite" to leave a tip for the maid and (according to @Bets), beauty salon stylists, barbers, taxi drivers, bellmen, and porters. The Italy Travel Forum also recently had a discussion about tipping (a private driver) in a country with a "non-tipping culture". Again, there were folks on both sides of that fence.
