San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => Where to eat out in San Stefanos? => Topic started by: cornishmaid18 on July 12, 2010, 10:28:46 PM

Title: Tipping
Post by: cornishmaid18 on July 12, 2010, 10:28:46 PM
Hello all
At last we are allowing ourselves to think about our holiday in August....countdown to the end of term has started!
I know tipping can be a bit of a contentious subject but would just like to know what is considered a suitable % to tip when eating out in SS?
Last year we stayed at the Nafsika, so it was easy as we saw the same people everyday and got to know them well.
This time, (and because there are six of us) we are staying with Noula at the Theodosia apts and are planning to spread our wings and visit many of the restaurants talked about here.
In this country we would do 10-15% and in America 15-20% for good service and would hate to offend by getting it wrong. Likewise, would you tip the lady who cleans the apt daily/weekly or at the end of our two weeks?.... and again, approx how much?
Thanks in advance
Helen
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: don on July 12, 2010, 10:41:48 PM
Usually tip 10% when eating out. Come to think of it we forgot to tip the cleaner this time and she was a lovely lady.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Jules on July 13, 2010, 12:32:50 AM
We also give 10% when eating out and leave the cleaner a tip at the end of our hols.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: zoe on July 13, 2010, 01:23:18 AM
we also give 10% on our meals and leave the cleaner some money and a box of chocs
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: carole.mike on July 13, 2010, 04:05:52 PM
i always leave a tip   [dont meet me in the dark] l.o.l we leave two euros for meal and ten euros to maid for fortnight . yammas mike . ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: tonyco1 on July 14, 2010, 12:29:05 AM
Us as well - we do 10% and tip the maid if she is good.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Gavlah1973 on July 14, 2010, 11:35:57 AM
Must admit.........after spending a week in Egypt I'm looking forweard to just doing normal tipping (10% for meals)

and not having to bung them a quid everytime I order a drink!!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Lesley on July 14, 2010, 06:36:23 PM
Not sure where you were in Egypt but hubbie and I spent 3 months there 3 winters ago, Cairo, Sharm, Hughada and Dahab, we never had to give anyone backhanders for drinks or tips althu the policeman guarding the ATM did suggest we did, which we didnt. But back to original link, tips are always as you feel appropiate - you have a good service you tip accordingly and like others I would say 10% of the bill is a far amount and always much appreciated by the workers at your choice of restaurant.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Gavlah1973 on July 14, 2010, 06:51:32 PM
We were in Naama Bay Lesley. Ghazala Gardens hotel (one of the ones that got bombed)

Great hotel but the tipping did do my head in. If I hadn't have tipped some of the bar tenders then I'd still be waiting for a drink. I had to physically make them serve other people who'd been waiting a lot longer than me who obviously hadn't tipped.

Funny story

We did a desert jeep trip one night which culminated with a BBQ/fire show (very good actually)

It was an all inc trip so your beer was free. One of the waiters from our hotel was serving us and he really looked after us bringing us drink after drink. At the end of the night I gave him £5 and he was over the moon.

The next night we walked into our hotel and it was packed. He came running over and honestly, tried to steal the chairs from some Russians who were sat there minding their own business!! I told him that it was ok as we were going to another bar in the hotel We walked on 50 yards and then stopped to talk to a couple who'd been on our flight. Over he came again trying to kick people out of chairs so we could sit there!! I had also previously told them that I was a 'Big Sheik' and the Lord Mayor Of Leeds so that could have been something to do with it along with the tip!!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Bristle Boy on July 14, 2010, 08:10:15 PM
10%, as long as food and service meets our standards. If either doesn't, they get zilch all.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: lilly on July 14, 2010, 08:13:49 PM
Bristleboy, do you tip when just ordering a couple of drinks at the bars? I always feel like I have to, hubby thinks that I am too generous, I am just a big softie.
Also I believe the owner of Tsaros where we are staying comes to pick us up from ootside the Barras in his car, would I be expected to tip him?
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Gavlah1973 on July 14, 2010, 11:16:16 PM
Lilly

If I was just havin drinks and running a tab then I may just round it up if it came to 18 euros for example when I got the bill.

Or......If I have a couple of drinks in one bar then I usually just offer to buy who ever is serving a drink
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: tonyco1 on July 16, 2010, 03:44:13 AM
Must admit.........after spending a week in Egypt I'm looking forweard to just doing normal tipping (10% for meals)

and not having to bung them a quid everytime I order a drink!!
We were in Egypt as well - after lots of research we worked out that a £1 or £2 coin a day was all that was required to get treatment like a VIP
one pound a day had beach beds secured with extra towels each day, one pound a day had the beach waiters asking me every time they passed.
One pound a day in the bars kept us topped up!
If you gave a pound each time - no wonder they tried to unseat the russkies!! LOL
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Gavlah1973 on July 17, 2010, 02:24:17 PM
It wasn't that bad to be honest....

I tipped early on in the hols and then once again towards the end......did get me great service!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: tonyco1 on July 17, 2010, 03:51:24 PM
Obvious really - Tippers get priority - I would do the same in their position!!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Bristle Boy on July 17, 2010, 05:00:07 PM
Bristleboy, do you tip when just ordering a couple of drinks at the bars? I always feel like I have to, hubby thinks that I am too generous, I am just a big softie.


I suppose the Q i would ask is - Do you tip at home when you go to a pub and order a couple of drinks at the bar? For most of us, in most cases i guess the answer would be "No". So why do it on holiday?
If i'm sat at a table outside a bar and the barperson comes to take the order then i'll tip when settling the bill. When we used Three W bar in June for pre-dinner drinks we tipped Anna because she came to take our order, would stop for a few mins to chat and was just generally great at making us feel welcome. If the bill was 5.50 euros, for example, i'd leave a 50 cent tip; if it was say 9 euros i'd just handover a 10 euro and leave.
If i'm sat at a bar on hols, then i'm just getting served as i would at home in my local, so i don't tip on these occasions.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: lilly on July 17, 2010, 09:25:54 PM
Thanks for that Bristle, it makes alot of sense because  we would not tip at home just for a couple of drinks. However, if they go out of their way to make you feel welcome then a small tip would be a nice gesture.
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Lesley on July 18, 2010, 01:03:34 AM
All thats makes great sense, service above the norm deserves a little thank you.  In Uk I normally have to queue at a bar than get handed my drinks - try to find a table and that's if I'm lucky, then its normally dirty and sticky from previous occupiers, mind you I do come from London!!!! Mite be different in other towns, cities etc.......
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: cornishmaid18 on July 18, 2010, 02:00:29 PM
Thanks everybody.
Will go with what we do usually - round up a bar bill and settle for 10ish% plus a little more on meals. I think we'll tip the maid a little each day - it worked wonders in America so that's sorted. Having children who have "waitered their way" through college and uni and have relied on their tips I think we are prob over generous but I do like to recognise good service.
Thanks again
Roll on the 6th from little ol' Exeter!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: tonyco1 on July 18, 2010, 02:58:02 PM
I agree with all that, but tipping in an A/I Hotel is to get priority or extra service, as in Egypt,
This wouldn't work in San Stefanos quite the same way.
Tipping in a bar in San Stef - I only tip if a waiter service, or the service is v/good overall!
If I have to get my own drinks and I like the barman/maid, I give a small tip like Bristol Boy!
For meals out - I do tip, but down to personal choice and common sense, go with your instincts!
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: Lesley on July 19, 2010, 02:01:28 AM
Yep agree Tony, all down to the individual bar/person and the service
Title: Re: Tipping
Post by: tonyco1 on July 19, 2010, 09:52:24 PM
In the Thomas Bay, we get Christos or Stefanos to serve us - their tip is usually a drink in there, which they always appreciate!