Do you know why .....

I know americasn tip well but others even if the tour was nice they won't tip anyway cos they are simply tight!

On the Inca trail is already known who is who!

In America, it is customary and even required to tip those in the service industry (doormen, taxi drivers, maids, waiters, porters, etc) It is even included on the bill in some places. So when eating/drinking out or while traveling most Americans calculate services as "fee + tip" automatically and pay accordingly.

My European bartending friends say that tipping isn't as customary in Europe, so when traveling about their cultural mindset is to expect that local service workers are making a decent set wage like others back home. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. In Brazil, my friend works as a waitress as is paid only in tips. When tipping is optional, this is a precarious way to earn a living.

Yep..we need more Americans on the road! :)

Ahh, so now all is revealed... its the tipping issue! This comes up regularly on TT.<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I like the idea of tips because it does let you show your appreciation, from a standard 10-15% tip (depending on what it is), to a 20-30% tip if you really like someone. Plus it lets me know that the money is going directly to the person who is helping me, not to the corporation.<hr></blockquote>
I concur with Shannon on this one, and tip much the same way.

That being said, I have seen some people, Americans included, who will beat down a person or company to get the lowest possible, rock-bottom price, then make up for it at the end with the tip. Net result - the person is no better off than the original price they quoted. There is this mentality out there that all the people travellers deal with in SA are out to rip them off. Nothing could be further from the truth.

From my own seven weeks of travel throughout Peru in 2005, when I looked a person in the eye and talked sincerely with them, they were just as sincere and honest with me. I consider myself fortunate to be from the 20 percent of the world that are "haves" so sharing my limited wealth by a simple gesture such as tipping, I feel is a good way to help other people along. Just consider the ripple effects of how your money helps the person receiving it, their family and even their local economy.

Do unto others... as you would have others do unto you. Peace!

Frederic in Montréal

For those who don't know yet, let me introduce you to one of the most outstanding contributors to the TT.

Altitude the man.

Always have s.thing to say and since he is quite a genious he always see the other side of things. Don't misjudge him, he's soooo clever.

attitudeman10 - If you've become a farmer now as you said you are in a recent post, why oh why are you still trolling for tips?

a farmer? that is something very nice... congratulations Altitudeman!!!

Stereotypes are a real time saver...

Frederic - you're my favorite person on TT.

Hey guys,

do you think i would post someting that happened only few days ago or last week? you must be crazy if you think this ! I post things that has happened at least months ago but I know still goes/happens on the trail eveyday....

I am farmer now of course! i am growing coca leaves to fortell the future through genetically transformed coca leaves that can be grown at high altitude and on the coast!

bye!

Good luck then, I hope u don't publish your results on coca growing development here.