Living Large in Charleston
Posted on February 10, 2006 7 Comments
I feel like a fish out of water! I’m in Charleston, SC, staying at the absolute nicest hotel in the city on business. The hotel is posh, the city is charming and the shopping is divine! I love, love, love it. The only problem is that I’m totally out of place in our love-ly hotel. I usually stay at budget hotels, so the entire concept of a pricey, service-oriented hotel is foreign to me. I have no idea of who to tip, how much, how to handle the tip (I feel like I’m always bumbling around), who to thank…the list goes on and on. I feel like I need a lesson in etiquette 101.
I think many folks who come from blue collar families and now work in a white collar job can relate to the feeling that you simply don’t belong in some places, no matter how warm, inviting or fabulous. It’s not that I think anyone else will notice, it’s just that I’m a mess. I generally am self-sufficient, so perhaps I feel embarrassed on some level that “servers” will open doors, carry bags and generally aim to please my every whim. I want to say, “Go away! I can do it myself because 1) I can and 2) I don’t really want to tip you for doing something that I can readily do and 3) even if I do tip you, it won’t be as much as that balding man in the suit probably will give you much more.” So when I am approached by member of the hotel staff, I generally appear suspicious and probably shifty-eyed. In reality I’m just unsure about how to handle the situation.
Instead of the server opening the door and carrying my bags to the checkout, I would feel more comfortable saying, “Tell you what. Leave my bags alone because I’m perfectly capable of carrying them. Instead, give me a recommendation of where the locals hang out. If I see you there tonight, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Anybody have any links or advice about how to act when you’re in a fancy-schmacy hotel? If you do, post a comment and I’ll edit later to include your advice. Looking for good information from a person of wealth to pass on to those of us who hope to fit in. Thanks.
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7 Responses to “Living Large in Charleston”
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February 10th, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
Luckily for me, my job reimburses tips, and actually sees tipping as a cost of doing business. We actually even had a lunch and learn all about tipping – who to tip, how much, etc.
I travel about 5-6 times a year and often stay in nice, posh hotels. The first few times were really weird for me too.
I usually tip a bellboy who brings bags up for me (3-5$), room service person (3-5%), turnover service if I’m there for a few days (1-2$). I ALWAYS ask the concierge where the cool places are to have a few drinks. The concierge is my liason to the city and has come to my aid when clients needed something as well. I usually give him $10+, depending.
But like I said, it’s expensible for me.
February 10th, 2006 @ 4:36 pm
I think a lot of people are in your shoes. I know I was when I started traveling regularly for work. That was over a year ago, so hopefully I have graduated from “bumbling idiot” to “awkward regular.”
I still find it strange that there is always someone trying to help me with my luggage (it has wheels — I think I can manage rolling it to the elevator!) or give me new towels (my towels at home don’t get washed every day).
But it is part of my job so I have to learn how to deal. Here is what I have learned is customary for tipping:
–A few dollars per bag if someone helps you with luggage
–A few dollars per day for housekeeping/turndown service
–Sometimes the tip is included in room service fees, so check the bill. If not, 10-15% is customary.
If you require the help of the concierge to suggest a restaurant, get directions, etc., it would also be appropriate to tip him/her.
I find that the younger employees (often valets, etc.) have to best information for where the happening places in town are. The concierge can help too, but sometimes they have other interests in mind when giving you suggestions (some restaurants give hotels kick-backs for recommending their restaurant to hotel guests.)
I hope this helps and enjoy the travels while someone else is picking up the tab!
February 10th, 2006 @ 8:57 pm
I still struggle with this too, not so much the tipping because that info is out there – as you can see from the comments so far! And if the hotel is fairly posh I would lean toward the higher end of suggestions AND expense it if you’re on a biz trip.
I don’t know what collar I come from
but I know what you mean about the level of comfort with being in a schmancy place. Usually we stay at places like Marriott Courtyards so it’s not a big deal, but last year I was put at the Ritz in Puerto Rico for a few days and it was TOTALLY different!
So I am NO expert…all I know is what made ME feel better and here they are:
1) I gave tips as discreetly as possible…I’d learned how much ahead of time to give, I’d keep little stashes in my pockets as I entered or departed the hotel so I could quickly and discreetly tip (dorky huh? but it made me feel more comfy)
2) I realized that these folks were in a service industry, and it’s their job to do all that stuff so I just started treating them like I would anyone whom I felt was great at their job: I engaged them a lot in eye contact and said a lot of hellos and thankyous, instead of feeling like they were doing me a favor and I was an imposter
I have no idea if any of that is helpful, but I do know what you mean. Have a great rest of the trip
February 11th, 2006 @ 12:12 am
BB – enjoy the pampering! I’m very independent also, and had trouble adjusting to others doing things for me when I traveled. Now I absolutely love it! As far as tipping goes, your company should cover it as a business expense (and they’re just plain cheap if they don’t).
February 11th, 2006 @ 10:30 pm
If they don’t cover tips, you should ask them to have you stay at a Motel 6.
As for how you act if you do not tip, just like you do at a fast food place…politely.
February 12th, 2006 @ 10:57 pm
I also sympathize with feeling out of place. Try to remember that these people are simply trying to do their jobs, and the ones who really care at doing well at their jobs should make you feel at ease. And, of course, as Caitlin posted, eye contact and simply treating everyone with the common courtesy we all want to have, including please and thank you, will go along way for both your comfort and theirs. And just enjoy the pampering!
July 16th, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Hi,
Charleston WV is one of the coolest and most pristine, cleanest cities in the US. Perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country, Charleston offers an amazing and historically-rich city that many locals refer to as the 'Holy City' for the abundance of churches. Perhaps one of the greatest attractions to this city is the numerous beaches that line the Pacific Ocean, making it a tourist Mecca of the South. The beaches in Charleston are without a doubt one the greatest staples of this city.