A tip is for "Service Rendered". Self explanatory. Used to get re-imbursed for tips. Don't know how it is these days.

I tip the shuttle drivers and bartender fairly well at my usual SFO hotel. They all know me (I stay there enough!) and give me great service. I had one guy though who had an attitude and I gave him nothing. I never saw him again, so I guess he didn't last. A couple of weeks ago, the Blue Angels were at the bar (after their last show of course!) and I bought a round of drinks for them and their wives and girlfriends. Set me back a few bucks, OUCH!, but my father, an ex-Navy man, would have been proud of his little girl for buying a round for the boys in blue. The bartender got a fat tip as well. I think I'm his new best friend...LOL...hope he doesn't expect that all the time though!

If times are lean though, one shouldn't stress out over tipping. Give what you can, and if you can't, a kind word will be appreciated. I waited tables when I was young and could pick up on little signs if a person was struggling financially, but a kind person.

I always ask for the airline discount on food/drinks and then give a nice tip plus the discounted amount to the waitress/waiter. If they don't want to extend the discount, they are essentially letting the restaurant/bar keep their money. How clever you say. Van drivers $1 tip unless they are really great at which there is no limit. Gave a very nice driver in Denver who operates with his wife a $50 tip once to take his nice wife out for dinner after a long day. He literally cried over it but I just said "Hey, I'm a nice guy, what can I say" I am also of the belief that a tip is earned. For poor service in any venue I am not apt to leave anything. No tip says " Your service was lousy".

"T.I.P." means To Insure Promptness. Originally for delivery boys, now commonly used the same as gratuity (a money gift for a service). I'm not a big "tipper". Probably due to my time at regionals making little money- not that I have a lot now! I've never tipped a maid, nor have I ever met one. They clean after I'm gone, so I never think of them. The driver gets one Dollar/Euro/Pound/etc- or just a dollar if I don't have their money. The crew passes an envelope on the bus and all 8 to 10 of us put about a dollar in, so the driver gets a nice big tip in an envelope.

I also tip the bartender, waiter, etc. What percent? That's another topic. Especially if you add different countries and customs.