Should you tip camp counselors, golf caddies and pet sitters? Experts reveal updated rules
It’s a whirlwind of change.
As America faces ongoing fatigue from tipping, gratuity experts have released new guidance on all the summer services that warrant paying a little extra forward.
These range from caretakers to caddies plus include hefty prices for other typical summertime services already costing a pretty penny.
Here’s a look at all the places people are expected to tip — and by how much — this summer.
Camp counselors and sitters
Tipping for camp counselors is a bit of a tricky one, according to etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, a founder of the Protocol School of Texas.
“The protocol is to ask whoever is running the camp if counselors can accept a gratuity,” she told CNBC.
In those affirmative cases, a gift card or cash will suffice. Otherwise, a gift from the child goes a long way.
Marketwatch previously reported that some camps will even suggest certain tip amounts. Counselor gratuities ranged from $40 to $60, $25 for bus drivers, $20 to $40 for bus counselors and another $20 for instructors.
As for a babysitter or au pair, “it falls under the category of ‘nice but not necessary,’” Gottsman added.
However, the famed Emily Post etiquette and protocol institute pushes the envelope a bit more: The organization recommends giving an extra week’s pay for professional, daily babysitters or live-in au pairs.
As for high schoolers who do the job every few weekends, an extra night’s pay and a gift from the child will suffice.
On vacation and at the country club
Gottsman has a laundry list of people to pony up to when it comes to those helping you relax.
While on vacation, it’s obligatory to tip bellhops $1 to $2 per bag and to give the same amount to shuttle drivers.
Valet parkers should get $2 to $5 and housekeepers $3 to $5 per night. Beach attendants who set up an umbrella for you should also get a fiver.
The biggest tip, however, goes to concierges. They deserve between $5 to $20, depending on the size of a guest’s request, per Gottsman.
As for golf and tennis professionals, it’s not required to tip after a handful of lessons, according to Gottsman. However, Elaine Swann, founder of the Swann School of Protocol, says that mantra changes in the long game.
If, after a whole season or series of lessons, you’ve picked up a great deal of improvement, throwing in the cost of a single lesson is appropriate.
As for tipping a golf caddy, check if that is built into greens fees; if not, the going rate is about $20 to $30.
For those using a club cleaning or towel service, tossing an extra $10 to $20 is on par, according to Golf.com. There’s no need to tip the starter, but throwing a few bucks to the food and beverage cart person or turn stand is always appreciated, too.
Pet walkers and sitters
Regular pet sitters are entitled to a tip worth a week’s pay at summer’s end, Post advises.
The Savvy Sitter pet service advises to tip in the range of 10% to 25% of their fee in certain circumstances as well.
These include around the holidays, an unplanned need for a sitter and long durations of scheduling.
Long-term walkers should also get a week’s worth of pay as an annual bonus.
Gottsman also adds that there are ways other than money to show gratitude as well.
“I make sure I leave her favorite soda. She likes baked chicken, so I make sure there’s some in the fridge,” she said of the person who watches her furry ones.
“She doesn’t ask me for it, but I leave her things I know she’ll appreciate.”
The same principle applies when staying at a friend’s summer home, Gottsman added.
“You give them something as a host gift, as a thank you,” she said. “Get them something that’s thoughtful, that means something to them. It’s not the dollar amount — it really is the thought.”
