Tipping etiquette

[WolfRamNHard]

I'm going to be hiring someone this weekend, and I realize that this topic has been covered on the forums before, but I'd like to get a firm grasp on this for myself once and for all.

 

By way of background, I'm one of those people who tend to tip 20% on everything in the US regardless of the quality of service for several reasons - force of habit, guilt, I don't want to be "that guy" especially if I end up being a repeat customer, etc. Accordingly, I have always tipped escorts 20% in the past (rounded up to the nearest $20 increment, just because I use $20 bills). But I'm having doubts that maybe that's not the best way to go about it.

 

I'd love to hear other perspectives on how tipping is handled -

 

Do you tip a standard percentage? If so, what is it?

Do you vary it based on the length of time? overnight? incall versus outcall? quality of the interaction? any other factors?

If you vary the tip rate, what is your range (in terms of %)?

 

If you pay for the session at the beginning - do you follow up with a tip at the end? or do you include a standard tip at the beginning? If you include standard tip at the beginning, do you ever add an additional tip at the end? Conversely, have you ever felt after the fact that you over-tipped at the beginning, and if so, have you ever done anything about it?

 

If you pay for the session at the end - do you separate out the tip from the rest of the amount in any way? or just add it all together and provide a single pile of cash +/- envelope?

 

Related question - is it typical for the client and/or escort to count out the money in the others presence? or does the escort generally take your word for it?

 

Thanks in advance, I'm still a rookie at this so any further insights are greatly appreciated!

[RyanDean]

For a full (and quite recent) discussion of the "To Tip Or Not To Tip" question (including the question of percentages/etc), you might do well to review the 4pages of discussion at this thread: http://www.companyofmen.org/threads/tipping.116009/

 

The general consensus (if there was one) seemed to be: there is no clear protocol/etiquette on whether or not to tip so just do what you feel right doing.

 

As to your other question of logistics:

I usually tip. I've never paid in advance. I've never tipped in advance (nor would I).

 

Normally, before I meet the gent, I place the agreed upon sum in a little envelope and place that little envelope somewhere (a pocket in my bag, jacket or pants; not my wallet) that will be easy to reach when I'm preparing to say goodbye. At that time, I also separate out whatever I feel would be an appropriate tip (I also usually round up) and put it in a different, easy to reach place. When things are finishing up, I slip the little envelope to the gent or put it somewhere visible (table, counter, whatever). At that time, I usually also say something like "this is yours" or "this is for you." As I do, I -- sometimes discreetly, sometimes obviously -- slip the little bit extra into the envelope or press it into his hand.

 

Some gents check the amount right then/there; most don't.

[Epigonos]

As RyanDean stated in his post this issue has been discussed in detail recently. Additionally it comes up every few years. He is also correct in stating that there is NO consensus answer. He mentions that he tips. I, on the other hand, NEVER tip. The escorts sets his fee and if I want to meet him I pay it, therefore I don't feel the need to tip. I consider escorts professionals and as I don't tip the other professionals in my life I don't tip them.

[+ saminseattle]

Do you tip a standard percentage? If so, what is it?

Do you vary it based on the length of time? overnight? incall versus outcall? quality of the interaction? any other factors?

If you vary the tip rate, what is your range (in terms of %)?

 

I usually give some tip, but not a standard percentage. The range can be large: I recently tipped one-person 5% and another 25%. My rationale was that the first person’s base rate was already quite high, implying that I was already paying for a relatively high quality of service that was included within that rate, whereas the second person’s rate was almost artificially low, so I had no problem signaling that I felt the service was worth more. Flat rates are a blunt instrument and tips can help even things out. I also tend to tip a smaller percentage (but a larger absolute amount) for longer appointments, and the longer the appointment, the smaller the percentage. I’m not really sure why this is, but perhaps it’s similar to the reason providers generally price longer appointments lower to begin with. And of course, if I have a great time I tip more than if I have an average time. If you just tip everyone an automatic 20%, it’s more like a surcharge than an incentive. Also, while I’m sure the people you hire are happy to get an automatic 20% bonus, if you can afford to hire them less often as a result, it’s not the windfall that it might appear to be at first.

[Juan Vancouver]

Dude, I understand this topic might be charged and you might want to "get it right" but I think you are grossly overthinking it.

 

Asking about this subject here will not make things any clearer for you.

 

There's the ones that are adamant about the fact that tipping is even insulting to a professional, there are the ones that routinely add a benjamin (or three), there are the ones who vary the tip depending how good the experience was, how good the past experience was, how good the reviews are. There are the ones who conceal the tip in a small envelope and while they are hugging the escort goodbye they discretely slip the envelope into his right back pocket, there are the ones who will throw the cash wad to the escort's face.

 

There is no right answer.

 

Find what feels good for you, and if necessary, adapt your habit as needed. Sometimes you might feel moved to tip a lot, sometimes you might even feel resentful paying the fee. There is no right or wrong.

 

If this subject is making you anxious, you are going at it the wrong way. This whole interaction is supposed to give you pleasure and leave you with a nice feeling. Don't pollute it with the tipping anxiety.

 

Do what you will make you feel good.

 

Hope you have fantastic interactions!

[liubit]

Like @Juan Vancouver very accurately points out:

There is no right answer.

 

Find what feels good for you, and if necessary, adapt your habit as needed. Sometimes you might feel moved to tip a lot, sometimes you might even feel resentful paying the fee. There is no right or wrong.

[WolfRamNHard]

For a full (and quite recent) discussion of the "To Tip Or Not To Tip" question (including the question of percentages/etc), you might do well to review the 4pages of discussion at this thread: http://www.companyofmen.org/threads/tipping.116009/

 

The general consensus (if there was one) seemed to be: there is no clear protocol/etiquette on whether or not to tip so just do what you feel right doing.

 

As to your other question of logistics:

I usually tip. I've never paid in advance. I've never tipped in advance (nor would I).

 

Normally, before I meet the gent, I place the agreed upon sum in a little envelope and place that little envelope somewhere (a pocket in my bag, jacket or pants; not my wallet) that will be easy to reach when I'm preparing to say goodbye. At that time, I also separate out whatever I feel would be an appropriate tip (I also usually round up) and put it in a different, easy to reach place. When things are finishing up, I slip the little envelope to the gent or put it somewhere visible (table, counter, whatever). At that time, I usually also say something like "this is yours" or "this is for you." As I do, I -- sometimes discreetly, sometimes obviously -- slip the little bit extra into the envelope or press it into his hand.

 

Some gents check the amount right then/there; most don't.

 

That's quite helpful. Thank you!

[+ sf westcoaster]

I have never paid up-front and never intend to pay upfront and would never give a tip until services have been provided. If the session has been satisfying I normally tip somewhere in the neighborhood of 10%.

[pubic_assistance]

Escorts are independent contractors with little "overhead" so keep in mind the entire fee goes in their pocket. A tip is a special treat in exchange for making you feel special.

If someone "called it in", then it's the fee paid and out the door...but if someone blows your mind, then don't be stingy. Does $ 20. or $ 30. say, thanks that was amazing ?... NO.

If you want someone back, you need to TAKE CARE OF THEM and they will take care of you. I would say on average, I tip $ 50. minimum.

[Guest]

I tip employees who are paid minimum wage or thereabouts, and are expected to earn their income that way. In the US, waiters, housekeeping staff, bartenders, and so on, get only minimum wage and are expected to earn their keep with tips. That's how it works. That being said, I have occasionally tipped an escort who did something extraordinary. But it's not a usual thing.