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How much should I tip my maid?

post #1 of 29
6/27/06 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
I've arranged to have her come over once a month. She's charging $45 for about two hours of work. The price is a bit high but I don't think she is an illegal. Should I tip her maybe $5 to make it an even $50?
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post #2 of 29
6/27/06 at 11:22am
Tip her? Why? You are paying her for a job, and a job that you think might be a bit high at that! Just get her something nice around the holiday season.

Jon.
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post #3 of 29
6/27/06 at 11:53am
I agree. I think *we're* too overly concerned about tipping everyone around us. A nice holiday gift is the best option, along with any other service folks you have personal contact with on a regular basis (gardeners, mailmen, etc)
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post #4 of 29
6/27/06 at 12:20pm
I don't tip independent contractors -- it all goes to them anyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kent Wang
I've arranged to have her come over once a month. She's charging $45 for about two hours of work. The price is a bit high but I don't think she is an illegal. Should I tip her maybe $5 to make it an even $50?

Why not just ask for documentation?
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post #5 of 29
6/27/06 at 12:43pm
Tipping isn't necessary in this situation. As others have noted, a holiday bonus is in order. We give a bonus of twice the regular fee to our housecleaner at Christmas/New Year's.
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post #6 of 29
6/27/06 at 1:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret
Why not just ask for documentation?

I would personaly not care less; in the UK the law is such that it is not my problem, just theirs. I don't know about the US.
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post #7 of 29
6/27/06 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice. I'll stiff her unless she performs some extraordinary service like cleaning up evidence of a murder. I have a friend who has a car wash service, which is similar to maid service -- he drives out to the client and cleans their car -- and he tells me that he gets tipped all the time. I don't care whether she is an illegal or not; I just suspect that an illegal would be much cheaper.
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post #8 of 29
6/27/06 at 1:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kent Wang
Thanks for the advice. I'll stiff her unless...


That is not tip enough?
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post #9 of 29
6/27/06 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kent Wang

I have a friend who has a car wash service, which is similar to maid service -- he drives out to the client and cleans their car -- and he tells me that he gets tipped all the time.


That's different. Anything involving cars tend to involve tipping (valet, cleaning, etc...).

Jon.
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post #10 of 29
6/27/06 at 6:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kent Wang
Thanks for the advice. I'll stiff her unless she performs some extraordinary service like cleaning up evidence of a murder.

I have a friend who has a car wash service, which is similar to maid service -- he drives out to the client and cleans their car -- and he tells me that he gets tipped all the time.

I don't care whether she is an illegal or not; I just suspect that an illegal would be much cheaper.
Is that like car detailing?
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post #11 of 29
6/27/06 at 6:26pm
Upon further consideration, if she is good looking you should tip her 3 inches.

Jon.
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post #12 of 29
6/27/06 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LabelKing
Is that like car detailing?
I believe that's what he calls it.
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post #13 of 29
6/27/06 at 7:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS
Upon further consideration, if she is good looking you should tip her 3 inches.

Jon.

esp if she works in a french maid outfit. then give her all 4 inches.
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post #14 of 29
6/27/06 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I keep that extra inch in reserve and unleash it only for special occasions. I suppose she could be an illegal French maid.
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post #15 of 29
6/27/06 at 8:59pm
I tip "service workers" whether it's called for or not, mainly because I've been there, and it does make a difference. Even if it doesn't make a significant difference to their bottom line, it makes people feel appreciated and is just a nice thing to do. If that person reciprocates with better service in the future, as sometimes happens, it's money well spent. If not, you're out $5-10 that would have just gone to the commemorative Mao trinket industry anyway.

But yeah, I wouldn't do it out of any feeling of obligation, or out of some weird-ass desire to bond with the help. I just do it to help somebody else who's where I was at not too long ago. It's not like a moral imperative or anything.
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