From the Archives :: Always Carry 1s

{Today's From the Archives post was originally published Feb 4th, 2010, and is the last entry in March's Travel Etiquette feature. The reminder to always carry USD one dollar bills {or the local equivalent} when travelling is rooted in travel etiquette because, like it or not, thanking those who help you with words and action is deeply embedded into North American societal expectations...}

Based on recent experience, my newest travel resolution is: Thou Shalt Always Travel with Multiple US One Dollar Bills. I know, I know, I’m Canadian, but it’s not like the rest of the world appreciates the loonie and toonie like I do. With our strong dollar, maybe one day they will?

On-Demand I'm not suggesting you walk around with a wad of cash sticking out of your pocket in Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous form, but, carrying enough ones so you can always tip on-demand is the mark of a discerning traveler.

Second Time's a Charm? The mental news flash leading to this resolution occurred one year ago in Jamaica when I only had seven $1s in my possession. Even though I was going to an All-Inclusive that doesn't allow tipping, there's always incidentals like transport which isn't included. Second time’s a charm? Another experience I had was in Maui, sitting in a rental car shuttle bus back to Kahului Airport (OGG). On the ride, I realized I didn’t have any ones left; all I had was a toonie. Wanting to at least thank the driver AND knowing that the Canadian and US dollar were pretty much on-par at that point, I handed over my toonie. The driver was gracious, but I know he thought I was out to lunch. Unless you're tipping in Canada, no one wants a coin. {Trip Styler Tip: Go the bank before your trip and ask for multiple dominations of small bills for tipping rather than expecting you'll be able to make change with your bigger bills once at your destination. Alternatively, sometimes {Canadian} banks only have a limited supply of US cash, so visit at various intervals throughout the year, in order to accumulate a little package of $1s for travel.}

100% Let your mind rest on vacation. Go to the bank before you leave to make sure you have enough one dollar bills... a) so you're never in a lurch, and b) to thank people for their service 100% of the time.

PS - One of the BEST travel apps for tipping etiquette is by our friends at Frommers. It not only suggests what you should tip in every country, but helps you calculate it!

Related Plane Etiquette Hotel {Guest} Etiquette Tipping Etiquette Etiquette Apps

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[photo by photosteve101]

Travel Etiquette :: Hotel {Guests}

Acting with grace and class at hotels is about the common, greater good. It comes from the knowledge that you're not an island, but part of a community during your stay. Aside from applying the golden rule to the way you interact with other guests, treating hotel staff with respect goes a long way as far as building them up and ensuring you'll be treated well in return.

Last week as part of this month's travel etiquette refresher, we featured tipping etiquette which is closely related to this week's topic: hotel guest etiquette. Since we've all woken up by the loud hall yellers and disturbed by the poolside cell phone talkers, along with the Fairmont Pacific Rim's Director of Housekeeping, here are some suggestions for how to be a good hotel guest respecting others' vacations or business trips.

In Your Room

• Don't leave a giant mess for the housekeeper. Think about the number of rooms they have to clean---don't be one of their horror stories. Also, if you expect daily cleaning, consider tipping as a thanks...
• Remember, housekeeping staff are in charge of cleaning the room, not tidying your giant mess.
• Gather all your towels and place them in the bathtub, as well as put the blankets back on the bed, a) because it's nice to do, and b) you might find something under one of those towels or blankets.
• Leave your valuables {passports, jewelry, etc... in the in-room safe}. {Trip Styler Tip: to avoid forgetting your valuables in the safe, put something you won't forget in the safe, or write a sticky note to yourself on the door or bathroom mirror.}
• Quiet hours are in place for a reason. Don't forget about your TV and radio/iPod volume either...
• Most hotel room doors are not soundproof, so late night/early morning loud talkers/screamers or hallway runners are not appreciated, and other guests don't take well to an interruption in their beauty sleep. It's always my practice to talk in a low decibel during the day and whisper at night when walking back to my hotel room.
• Most hotel doors are heavy and loud, so be courteous to those around you by guiding your door shut at night or in the morning, so there isn't a big slam every time you enter and exit the room.

At the Pool/Beach

• No loud cell phone talking! If you must, go to a private area to carry-out the rest of your conversation.
• A little PDA {public display of affection} is cute, but too much and it's awkward.
• If there's only one pool, be respectful of those around you {this includes your volume}.
• Don't save pool/beach loungers at 6am and then arrive to claim them at 11am.
• In addition to the above point, don't leave your pool towels sitting on your chair when you're done. It's courteous to other guests and the hotel to either drop them in the hamper, or advise the attendant that you are finished with them.
• Although you may be the only guests at or in the pool doesn’t mean that you can’t be seen. Many guestrooms have views that overlook the beach or pool so activities and/or noise levels should be conducted accordingly.

Housekeeping Tips {by the Fairmont Pacific Rim}

• Let us make your stay memorable! Join the hotel’s loyalty program before you arrive and enjoy a range of benefits. At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, for example, members of the Fairmont President’s Club receive complimentary newspaper of their choice, free local phone calls, and use of BMW bicycles, along with the Fairmont Fit program which provide use of running shoes, shorts and tshirt so you don’t have to pack your running gear. {Editor's Note: I am passionate about the Fairmont President's Club Benefits (one of best in the industry) and have been a loyal member for 3 years. However, being an online trip stylist, I often stay with other hotels too, and when I do, I always make sure to join their loyalty program before my arrival for the value-added benefits.}
• If there are allergies or sensitivities, let the hotel know in advance so they can make your hotel stay an enjoyable one. Hypo-allergic pillows and duvets can replace feather items.
• A hotel wants to provide a “home away from home” during your stay and their main priority is the safety of guests. Use common sense when visiting, ie, don’t prop your guestroom door open with the deadbolt while you dash down the hall to get some ice.
• Before you depart, do a last minute check…it’s surprising how many guests leave items in the safety deposit box, in the closet or on the back of doors! {Editor's Note: This is so true! I recently had to have my Mac laptop's power cord shipped back from my hotel room in Mexico...}
• A hotel wants to provide a comfortable environment and does its utmost to ensure that facilities are in top condition. If there is something wrong, let the front desk know so that it can be rectified. Let us have the chance to make it better.

{Editor's Note: this post is not sponsored by the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I asked them to contribute a) so readers would get a balanced perspective from a frequent traveller and major hotel, and b) because they are my favourite hotel in Vancouver.}

[photo by @nate_fri, taken in a 22nd floor room overlooking the Vancouver harbour at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.]

Travel Etiquette :: Tipping

This month we're featuring a topic that's become more and more relaxed since the golden age of travel has disappeared: etiquette. During a time where the Juicy tracksuit is considered appropriate travel wear and loud-talking cell phone users are commonplace, to borrow a line from Anchorman's Ron Burgundy, let's "stay classy" and bring some Pucci-inspired yesteryear back into travel. The first travel etiquette subject we'll tackle is North American tipping.

Like it or not, tipping everyone from the housekeeper to the concierge is a highly suggested travel practice in North America and other select destinations worldwide. Although tipping is not required, and should be based on excellence, it's generally uncouth if you don't. In fact, it has become such a significant part of traveling, it's worth adding a line-item in your travel budget so you don't wonder where all your USD $1s or Canadian Twoonies went at the end of your trip!

Not including restaurant or cab tipping, one could easily spend $20+/day tipping at their hotel alone. With this in mind, it's important that you load up on small bills pre-trip, or exchange money during your trip, so you have appropriate amounts to give those who help you on-demand.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, here are some estimates of whom you should tip and by how much. The below amounts are based on 4- to 5-star travel experiences.

Hotels Valets - each time you call your vehicle - $2-10 {ie - if you drive a lambo, don't tip $2} Bellhops - when they help with luggage - $3-10 Door Men/Ladies - $1-2 for calling a cab Housekeeper - $2-5/day Concierge - $5-20 depending on how much advice you ask Pool/Beach Attendants - $2-5/day Restaurants - 15-20% of your bill pre-tax When you ask for something to be brought to your room that's extra - $2-5

Transportation Taxi or Limo Driver - fare + 15-20% Airport transfer - fare + 15% {for an all-inclusive shuttle, $2-5/person depending on length} Courtesy Shuttles - $1-2 per person, or $4-5 per small group

Tours Tour Guides - 10-15% of total price Tour Driver - $1/hour

{Trip Styler Tip: Pay close attention to the tipping practices in the countries you visit outside of North America. It's a faux pas to assume everyone has the same systems in place. For example, you don't tip much in Australia and you only round-up the restaurant bill in Italy. Do your research before leaving!}

Upcoming Tuesday, March 8th - Travel Etiquette App Friday, March 11th - Hotel Guest Etiquette Friday, March 18th - Plane Etiquette Monday, March 21st - The importance of USD $1s & Canadian Twoonies

[photo credit]