I've always hesitated to give tips to some people in the DR thinking they would be insulted.
When I travel within the US, Europe, or canada, I only tip the "traditional" group (waiters, bartenders taxi, maids, bellhops, etc) and never give it another thought. I would never think of tipping the front desk person checking me into my room in San Diego,CA, but sometimes I feel a little strange walking away from the desk at the Jaragua without giving the guy a little something. Same with the gal who seats me for dinner.
My TV remote was not working my last visit to SD so I called for someone to bring me a new one. The maintenance guy came up right away with a new set of batteries--he looked like he may have been a supervisor or something. I had to force him to accept a $200 peso tip, he kept on saying he was only doing his job (ok, I really didn't have to force him to take it but he certainly didn't accept it like the room service guy would have)
Can any of you who live on the island share your thoughts to help us visitors operate within cultural norms?
DM
When I travel within the US, Europe, or canada, I only tip the "traditional" group (waiters, bartenders taxi, maids, bellhops, etc) and never give it another thought. I would never think of tipping the front desk person checking me into my room in San Diego,CA, but sometimes I feel a little strange walking away from the desk at the Jaragua without giving the guy a little something. Same with the gal who seats me for dinner.
My TV remote was not working my last visit to SD so I called for someone to bring me a new one. The maintenance guy came up right away with a new set of batteries--he looked like he may have been a supervisor or something. I had to force him to accept a $200 peso tip, he kept on saying he was only doing his job (ok, I really didn't have to force him to take it but he certainly didn't accept it like the room service guy would have)
Can any of you who live on the island share your thoughts to help us visitors operate within cultural norms?
DM