This was published 8 years ago
Traveller letters: We're not stingy - we just don't like to be told to tip
TIPPING POINT
I think Barry Scott misses the point (Traveller Letters, June 6). It's not that Australians are just stingy when it comes to tipping, but that we don't like to be told we have to tip for everything, good or bad, simply to supplement poor pay to staff, the details of which we cannot know. For me the ultimate example of this was on a river cruise in Europe a couple of years ago, when on day two, the cruise director delivered quite a stern lecture to us about the fact that we (the whole boatload, not just Australians) weren't tipping the guides and drivers enough on shore excursions. At the end of the cruise, there was also considerable "guidance" given by him as to what was appropriate tipping for the ship's crew, and separately himself. The Australians were happily exempt from this, because we had little tear-out vouchers in our ticket book which we were to place in separate envelopes and drop in the appropriate box. We have no idea how much we had compulsorily contributed. We were also left wondering what would have happened to our money had we not, either deliberately or accidentally, done the envelope ritual. At least we were spared the discomfort of actually going to his desk with our credit card and telling him how much to take from it as his tip. He was good, but the whole orchestration of the tipping process was the one negative point of the whole trip.
Kevin Hunt, Kenthurst, NSW
OLDER TRAVELLERS TARGETED
When my husband and I travelled to Thailand recently, we found that even though I am in good health my travel insurance premium was almost double his, simply because I am now over 70 (my husband is 58). For travellers generally the premium is based on where they are going, their planned activities and any existing medical conditions. Medical certificates and fitness assessments may be needed. Surely there is no reason not to have the same criteria for travellers of any age? It seems this unfair loading is simply an opportunity for travel insurance companies to cash in on this travelling demographic. Is this not blatant age discrimination?
Wendy Buckingham, Milton, NSW
EMIRATES IRRITATION
I agree with James Thompson (Traveller Letters, May 30) regarding airlines overbooking flights. On a recent trip to Gallipoli, Emirates offloaded me from my flight from Dubai to Instanbul even though I was at the check in two and a half hours before the flight. I was travelling alone and I am well into my 70s, but despite vigorous protest the ground staff were unsympathetic even when told this was going to have consequences for me in Istanbul. My letter of protest to the airline has not been acknowledged.
Robyn Ogborne, Seaforth, NSW
NO RESPONSIBILITY
On a recent Cathay Pacific flight from Paris to Melbourne, I asked to take a framed print on board as hand luggage so that I could safely store it behind the last row of the premium economy section in which I was travelling. This request was refused and, on arrival, the glass and frame had been severely damaged, in spite of assurances from the check-in agent – who had supplied and attached FRAGILE stickers – that all care would be taken. In response to my complaint, Cathay Pacific stated: "As you will no doubt appreciate, airlines do not accept responsibility for damage that may be caused to baggage as a result of normal wear and tear, such as minor scuff marks, tears and cuts. This also includes damage to items that are checked in as fragile…" Presumptuous and personally I do not appreciate anything of the sort.
David Graver, Elsternwick Vic
LETTER OF THE WEEK
On a recent trip to Lijiang in Yunnan Province, China I mislaid a bag near the railway station. I assumed it was lost. But later that evening it was returned to me intact, including my wallet with cash and cards, by some extremely kind, honest and generous people. My bag had been found by a local Naxi man, Sun Guofeng. He and his wife, who speak only Chinese, had then contacted a friend who spoke English. The friend had rung my daughter in Australia to get my Chinese contact details, rung me, and spoken with my host to get my location. Then Mr and Mrs Guofeng had borrowed a car to drive eight kilometres out of town to deliver the bag to me personally. They were gracious and polite, and refused all rewards. I was and still am amazed at the extraordinary actions of this couple. Such is the kindness of strangers in China!
Dr Chris Hughes, Camperdown, NSW
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