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18 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 6, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com When travelling, pack your tips, too C anadians are famous for being bad tippers -- but I don't think I'm a bad tipper and I don't think you are either, judging from the amount of mail asking me about tipping. It used to be that tipping was included in all-inclusive resorts. Now you'll find it isn't always listed in the "what's included" section, depending on which dream book you pick up. That makes it confusing, even more so when our American neighbours make such a big deal out of tipping when they arrive and insist they get better service. Sandals has never allowed tipping nor does Super Clubs. Frankly, one of the nicest things about an all-inclusive is that you don't have to carry money around and have people with their hands out continually. I still tip for good service when I'm leaving, but I shouldn't have to for better service. Don't forget to tip the person who cleans your room, he or she works hard. My daughter Jayne, who lives in Australia, claims I once told her, "If you can't afford to tip, you should stay home." She also suggests people offended by tipping should visit Australia, where service staff members are reasonably well paid and don't take huge tips for granted. A $2 tip is standard for taxi and limo drivers who take us to the airport or the station. Tip more if they help you with the bags or go out of their way to make sure you're on time for the train, plane or bus; less or not at all if they don't even bother to open the car door, and drive while talking on their cell. A normal tip for airport and railroad porters is $1 per bag, more if services, at your discretion. Many cruise lines will just add it to your bill, but if you want to tip more or less just go to the hotel desk and tell them you'll tip yourself. Personally it offends me, but I don't like the constant reminders the last day or two either. I have friends whose kids gave them a cruise for Christmas, and when they learned how much the ship was going to add to the bill for tips, she was terribly upset, as her pension just couldn't stretch that far. She went to the hotel desk and asked if she could tip herself, and returned to say it was not a problem. On escorted coach tours, you'll usually get strong hints from the guides as to what is appropriate. Often the guide will wait until the driver is off the bus, and then remind the passengers what a good driver he or she was and then strongly suggest a tip. You're then supposed to remember the guide as well. There's no firm rule, but we were on one coach tour that recommended $3 US per day for the driver and $1 US per day for guides. If you've had wonderful service from someone along the way, take the trouble to write a letter to head office or write it on your end-of-cruise or tour comment sheet. That employee will remember you for life. Restaurant waiters should get 15 to 20 per cent of your pre-tax cheque. Check to make sure 15 per cent gratuity hasn't been added already. A colleague and I were enjoying an hour in an outdoor patio this summer. When the bill came, I noticed an amount written in pencil that was also added in to the final amount. It worked out to be 20 per cent of the final bill, which included the tax. The server was not pleased to be called on it and told us the restaurant thought that was fair. We didn't think it was, and won't go back. North America tips more than central Europe, probably because a service charge is added to restaurant bills in many countries. Yes, readers tipping hurts when you're already paying extra taxes and fuel surcharges, but budget for those nice people who make your holiday special. Readers you can reach Sam @ sion10@cogeco.ca While you are working, could be giving you the healthiest, most thorough housecleaning ever. Now that's something to talk about. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Speaking of peace of mind ­ if you're ever unhappy with any area we've cleaned, call within 24 hours and we'll come back and reclean it, free of charge. Call today for a free, no obligation estimate over the phone. you've packed the kitchen sink. A $2-per-bag tip is standard for hotel bellmen. There are some cruise lines that advertise no tipping. On other voyages, the cruise lines helpfully suggest an amount and many more will add it to the account you pay at the end. Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is to plan for about $3 per person, per day for your cabin steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your busboy. Other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special AIR CANADA VACATIONS NEWS Air Canada Vacations has expanded its winter 2008 ­ 2009 Sun Collection with the addition of Samana in the Dominican Republic, featuring ­ the 5-star Gran Bahia Cayo Levantado, 4-star Grand Bahia El Portillo, 4-star Gran Bahia Cayacoa and the 4-star Gran Paradise Samana. What's more, ACV is now offering daily non-stop flights from Toronto to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Cana, so travellers can now opt for flexible duration packages starting at just 3 nights. Book and pay in full by 30SEP08 (valid on any sun package except Las Vegas, Florida and Hawaii) and save $250/per adult for departures between 01-31JAN09. and save $200/per adult for departures between 01NOV08 and 31DEC08 and between 01FEB09 and 30APR09. ACV is now offering the Grenadines in their product line-up. Palm Island Resort ­ the exclusive privateisland resort. This idyllic tropical hideaway is situated near the southern tip of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 32 tropical islands and cays known for stunning natural beauty and clear, warm waters. With just 42 guest lodgings, this 135-acre island retreat offers the utmost in privacy and seclusion. ACV passengers will travel to Barbados and connect to the Grenadine Airways flight to Union Island then board the launch for Palm Island. It doesn't get any better! www.palmislandresortgrenadines.com Also offered is The Raffles, Canouan Island, again connecting through Barbados with Grenadine Airways ­ the ultimate in Caribbean luxury, complete with the Jim Fazio designed Trump International Golf Club. Check it out at www.rafflescanouan.com Call today for a free, no obligation estimate over the phone. Call today for a free, no obligation estimate over the phone. 905-845-9923 www.maids.com · · · · We use our 22-Step Healthy Touch® Deep Cleaning System every visit. Our patented Back Pack Vacs can capture up to 99% of all dust and allergens. Bonded & insured supervised teams of four Environmentally preferable cleaning products LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN ST. LUCIA Cap Maison, a residential-style luxury boutique hotel, has opened in St. Lucia. The hotel is one of the newest members of the Preferred Boutique collection, one of the five brands of the Preferred Hotel Group. Set on a cliff-top parcel of land just minutes north of Rodney Bay, the hotel offers 50 guest rooms, villas and suites. Villa Suites are fully equipped with kitchens, living and dining areas, outdoor showers and private pools. Amenities at the resort include Spa Maison and the Cliff at Cap restaurant, named for its dramatic location, perched at the edge of a cliff that is literally the end of the island. Multi-level decks and sitting areas provide unobstructed views out to Pigeon Point. www.capmaison.com There's just one way to find out. Call us today, and chances are you'll start feeling good about it before we even get there. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com To advertise here call 905-845-3824