NBR: house keeper

ReggieLou13 · July 2014

What do you tip your house keeper?

We have one come 1x a month and do detail cleaning for 3 hours. What is the norm?
I'm in CA if it matters.

TIA

fitmama418 · July 2014

Ummm I don't tip my cleaning lady. She's a one woman operation and all the money is cash in her pocket. I plan on getting her a nice Christmas gift, though.

cagoldi · July 2014

LJGS1010 said:
No tips here. She comes every 2-3 weeks.

Identical same.

ReggieLou13 · July 2014

Omg I don't know if it's etiquette or not?

I feel bad if I don't so I usually give a little something extra.

mamasoup030 · July 2014

I leave love notes occasionally when they do something great, but no tips here. Christmas bonus yes.

fitmama418 · July 2014

roxymatt said:

Omg I don't know if it's etiquette or not? I feel bad if I don't so I usually give a little something extra.

Here's how I look at tipping when it comes to certain situations:

If the individual providing me the service is the owner of the company and/or the sole service provider, no I do not tip. If I had a someone working for me who was a part of a larger company? And I knew most of the fee was going to someone other than him/her? I'd absolutely tip.

Examples of people I do not/have not tipped: my cleaning lady, my wedding photographer (owner), my wedding DJ (owner). Had the latter two sent associates? Yes, tip.

People I do tip: food service employees, delivery drivers, hair dressers, nail techs, bus boys, hotel staff, etc.

AlisonM12 · July 2014

I don't tip my cleaning lady but I do give a Christmas bonus.

mamasoup030 · July 2014

@CFox815‌ I don't disagree with you, but in my situation it works. My cleaning lady and her mom have worked for my mom for over 10 years and she just started for me. I left the note just to say thank you since I didn't see her, she came and left while I was at work. I must be weird because she called my mom to tell her how sweet it was.

But yes, in the overall general sense, it doesn't pay the bills I agree. But it is important that people know you value them and the work they do.