Do you bring gift to people that work in the resort? If you do what do you bring? I personally try to give tip when service is nice but sometimes I would buy gifts in Canada and bring to some people that I know. Once I gave nice new swimming short that I had because entertainment in the hotel was nice and I bought that gift in Canada and I became friend with entertainment people.
Cash is best, but if you know the people and what they need bring it.
Best to bring $$$$$$$$
Unlike Cuba and other places here the workers can buy what ever they want or need if they had the money. Almost everything you can think of is available here.
Our housekeeper (for the last 7 years) still has a closet full of lotions and potions as well as boxes of nick/knacks that various visitors brought here when she worked for a major hotel yeas and years ago.
bobk
I only bring gifts to the people I have made friends with.
Long story short, I asked a beach bathroom cleaner what she wanted on my next visit via the front desk with a phone call, she asked for a pair of white work shoes. ( I think I asked on Debbie’s here years ago about sizing ). Anyway, brought her the white shoes and that woman (Bienvenida) cried and cried and literally trembled for a solid 30 minutes… talk about a humbling experience. The next day she showed up with a whack of gifts for me… defeated the purpose of ME giving her the gift but it was very, very touching.
K, other than that $$$$ is King. Would rather them be able to buy food or whatever they deem fit for them.
For our first few trips, I was taking gifts down with us but soon learned that it added to the weight load on my suitcase. Now, we tip…everyday, especially with our room maid, as we may not have the same person each & everyday. When service around the resort is exceptional, then we reward that person or persons.
I am also finding I don’t tip the maids and bartenders as much as I used to. Don’t hate me for that, I still tip but I feel the maids while they are doing a great job and working in an air conditioned room, however, I leave my room pretty darn clean and even make my own bed LOL.
A lot of bartenders make a lot of money with tips and they’re just giving you drinks but I still do tip them very well.
I seek out the behind the scenes workers, gardeners, coconut choppers, the early morning pool guy, the beach and bathroom cleaners, cooks and food servers… in my opinion these are the people that are the true backbone of the resorts setting up your stay for an enjoyable vacation and giving you clean maticulously grounds to enjoy.
Debbie I got into the habit of doing that too. Every morning I would empty the fridge of all the bottled water and soft drinks and hand them out to workers as I made my way to the beach. When I ran out of drinks, I would stop at the nearest bar and get a tray full of glasses of water and pass them out until I got to the beach. Although I did bring small gifts to give as you call “behind the scenes” people, simple things a woman would appreciate.
Cash is the king that is true but we all appreciate sometimes little gift. Maybe some people prefer cash but when you get a gift all of us get nice feeling that someone care of you.
I always pack a little gift… this year it is cute change purses I will leave on the pillow with a couple dollars and some candy inside. of course a note so they know it is ok to take it
For the most part it’s cash – easy for us to bring and them to use. That said we do bring some stuff with us, normally it’s Canada branded items – hats, key chains, lanyards, etc. They seem to appreciate it (if they actually do is another question). We also leave our Bubba’s behind as we can get new ones on sale at home so don’t need them taking up space or weight for the way back. The last couple years we’ve washed out the bubba’s and given them to the grounds staff, who have been eager to accept them.
I always pack a little gift… this year it is cute change purses I will leave on the pillow with a couple dollars and some candy inside. of course a note so they know it is ok to take it
That is nice idea … some change and little purse to put change in ![]("http://forums.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/images/emoji/twitter/slight_smile.png?v=5")
Yes, we leave gifts for maids and staff. But we always accompany it with the following note which means (Please accept this gift as a small token of our gratitude for your excellent work.) Firma is for signature and numero de habitation is room number.
= = = =
Favor de aceptar este regalo como muestra pequeña de nuestra gratitud para su trabajo excelente.
Firma:
número de habitación:
= = = =
That way, they are not accused of stealing stuff … I sign it and add our room number. I’ve pre-printed the note and just have to sign and add the information. I have had them refuse the gift until I presented the note.
[quote=@bobfromcanada]Yes, we leave gifts for maids and staff. But we always accompany it with the following note which means (Please accept this gift as a small token of our gratitude for your excellent work.) Firma is for signature and numero de habitation is room number.
= = = =
Favor de aceptar este regalo como muestra pequeña de nuestra gratitud para su trabajo excelente.
Firma:
número de habitación:
= = = =
That way, they are not accused of stealing stuff … I sign it and add our room number. I’ve pre-printed the note and just have to sign and add the information. I have had them refuse the gift until I presented the note.
[/quote]
Actually that happened to me as well. I gave some clothes etc to one gardener and he was happy but he asked me to write letter so that he can show to security on the exit. And that is what I did and he was very happy. Good point bobfromcanada!
We’ve had it work the other way around too. On several occasions we’ve been presented with gifts FROM them. I guess maybe I tipped too much … Naw, treat them with respect, use a lot of “por favors” and “gracias”, along with a smile, handshakes and of course, hugs and that kiss on each cheek thing that they do. For the ladies anyway; I draw the line on the guys. They get the handshakes.
Thanks for making this thread,i have learn some way of showing respect to the worker.I think gift is the best think to show your feeling but $$$ is incomparable as they are working for money so it is definitely helpful.I read all the reply and learn about the DR environment.
I also pre-write the notes at home and just add the room number once we get there. We had one maid tell us that they can’t keep the gifts otherwise.
I also pre-write the notes at home and just add the room number once we get there. We had one maid tell us that they can’t keep the gifts otherwise.
You are very right about that and it is good that others know who want to give gift to resort workers.