Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 16:17]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
4. Tipping

I strongly disagree that you must be required to tip $1.00 every time. I recommend all tourists take rolls of quarters. If, for instance, you like to stop in different small places for a cold drink (even simply water) several times a day, in addition to whatever meals you have, tips can add up very quickly. Why pay $1.00 for a drink that costs less than a dollar? I'm not cheap, I simply don't think that is necessarily reasonable.

Altahabana

[Fri 10 Aug, 18:09]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
5. Tipping in Cuba

I am truly amazed by this thread assuming it's legitimate. Tipping in Cuba is customary in situations where you would tip in Western countries. Maybe it's only 10% as opposed to 15% in the US but it's still done and expected. Tipping is probably the main reason you see posts talking about doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. working as bartenders, waiters and taxi-drivers.

Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 19:13]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
6. Tipping

Calm down, big spender, noone is telling you to tip a WHOLE BUCK if you don't want to. You don't have to tip anything at all, if that's your choice. But I have never heard of tourists carrying rolls of quarters for anything other than arcade games for the kids. Who started this custom? Canadian tourists at all-inclusive resorts? I'm not talking about Guardalavaca. I'm talking about Havana. When you're in the Havana Libre, or the Inglaterra, or the Sevilla, leave your roll of quarters in your room, if you have any pride. A L T A H A B A N A ! care to explain the rationale for tipping in Cuba "only 10%" when it's 15-20 % or more in the rest of the fucking world? Or did I missunderstand you? The whole idea of tipping based on a percentage of the fee, or bill, rather than a price(1$ per bag for a sky hop) is to adjust the cost for the locale. 15% of the check in Havana, 15% of the check in NY, etc. But when you adjust the actual percentage rate, problems develop. Why don't you adjust the percentage UP for Cuba? If one were to adjust the percentage rate used for tipping in Cuba, UP is the direction it should be adjusted, not down. Adjusting it down doesn't make any sense at all, unless you're staying at an all-inclusive in Guardalavaca with a roll of quarters in your pocket. Christ, I have to think back to the 1950's before carrying a roll of quarters around makes any sense.

Altahabana

[Fri 10 Aug, 19:25]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
7. Tipping in Cuba

My Cuban wife carries the money when we're there and she usually tips about 10% when we occasionally go out. She doesn't though carry around rolls of quarters or baseball caps.

Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 20:07]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
8. tipping

i think tipping in quarters is an excellent idea.all those cubans with jobs in tourism have connections.what about most other cubans who are'nt lucky enough to get those jobs? what about the bus driver or cane cutter? they only get a solid $10 a month.no tips for them. you people are ruining the social balance in cuba

Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 20:41]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
9. "ruining the social balance" in cuba

care to explain yourself?
do you mean that, soon, they'll ALL want to make money?
Good thinking!

Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 21:20]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
10. quartermania

i believe there is a school of thought that is saying if you are in a country with very high cost of living where you are asked to pay $100-$200 PER NIGHT HOTEL with corresponding high costs for restaurants and entertainment the it is only natural that you leave gigantic tips even if the service was no good(what would your friends think if they saw you leave a small tip). and it seems these same people are saying if they only earn $10 per month, give them a quarter. why not a roll of dimes? people are strange creatures!

Anonymous

[Fri 10 Aug, 21:31]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
11. tipping

you want a tip? learn a trade!

beardoo

[Sat 11 Aug, 07:43]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
12. tipping

I have always used 10% as my guideline for tipping - in Cuba and in the UK. More if the service is good.

Frequently my Cuban friends tell me I am being WAY to generous !

L. Pinth-Garnel

[Sat 11 Aug, 09:20]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
13. tipping: It's optional, you know. . .

Beardo, I am sure that you are an "average" tipper, meaning not a skinflint out to take advantage of any one or of any particular set of circumstances. My question is this: When two couples order a round of drinks by the pool in Guardalavaca, do they each give the waiter a quarter, or do they just leave a dollar bill on the waiter's tray?

Gordon Robinson

[Sat 11 Aug, 10:20]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
14. Tipping

The vast majority of the 2 million tourists visiting Cuba go All Inclusive. In an All Inclusive resort everything is included including your intoxicating beverages. If one gives the bar tender etc. US$0.25 every time a good servive is received you will be out US$30 or 40 by the end of your week stay. Some of the big spenders above with their "DOLLAR" tips are going to be really light on cash when they hit the airport!!!!!!!

Anonymous

[Sat 11 Aug, 10:55]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
15. All-Inclusives: They have their place, but . . .

One can fly to Holguin, take the tour bus to Rio Mierda de la Luna Resort, spend 2 weeks, and return to Toronto, without ever actually speaking to an un-programmed Cuban.
But this is what some people prefer, a "sanitized" experience, and contrary to what you may think, I defend freedom of vacation, however banal the chosen venue may be.
And I use the word "banal" affectionately, as though refering to a retarded sibling.

However, I know that there a much more adventurous travellers residing here.

Anonymous

[Sat 11 Aug, 12:48]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
16. tipping

WOW!!!!!!!!

I've finally figured out how some people can afford to travel to Cuba so many times. It's because they tip in quarters. When we are there we always tip one dollar and sometimes much more if the service is good.

Anonymous

[Sat 11 Aug, 13:06]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
17. tipping

#16, its probably safe to assume you are not canadian

Jefvdw

[Sat 11 Aug, 14:52]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
18. Tipping in Cuba

Well, I live in Aruba where those gringos pay 100-200$ for well cooled Marriott and Hyatt rooms...
I tip in the Caribbean with: Arubian Florins!!!
Not exchangable even in exotic square coins available.
Our 10-25 bills are even wildly exotic!

Anonymous

[Sat 11 Aug, 19:05]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
19. nuthin like it

Nothing like a bunch of Canadians and Europeans arguing over how little you can get away with tipping and not feel socially irresponsible. You're all disgusting!

Anonymous

[Sat 11 Aug, 19:12]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
20. Think about this

After the tip is paid. Who actually keeps the tip? Next time your in Cuba ask a question or two you might be surprized - this is for all of you out there who think you generosity is making someone rich!

Anonymous

[Sun 12 Aug, 05:56]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
21. Not just tipping, but paying for services.

The guy that fixes your bike. You wanna pay him ten pesos?
Fine. And if you give him a buck on top to show your appreciation? It's all his. He's not going to "report" it, or give half to Fidel, IT'S ALL HIS! 100%!
The kid that washes my jeep, the girl that brings me eggs,
my dentist, the guy that picks me up at the airport, They all keep whatever they earn, and if they didn't, they wouldn't be getting anything from me. Yes, at a state restaurant, they probably pool their tips, just like they do at some establishments in the U.S.. But there are plenty of other opportunities to help propagate capitalism in Cuba, and when these surface, dun't be afraid to show them how it's done, and don't worry about your $$ going to the state. Cubans are VERY resourceful !!

Anonymous

[Sun 12 Aug, 06:12]
PST (Gumly Gumly -17)
22. At the florist

Last Valentines Day (it's a holiday in Cuba as well) I stopped at a country florist(oriente province) for roses. This florist had a garden in backwhere all the flowers are picked. Instead of cutting the flowers and putting them in a refrigerated showcase, they just let them grow until a customer comes along. I asked for three arrangements of roses, and waited while they were picked, long stems and all. The bill came to about 65 cents. Now, I could have paid the bill and walked out with my flowers, why not, right? But, come on, 65 cents for three dozen roses? So,
AFTER I paid for the roses, I gave the guys five bucks. It is understood that in this state florist, the 65 cents goes to Fidel, and the five bucks? That, they keep for themselves. Cubans aren't stupid.


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