Finance Discussions with Teens

[Billie Goodson]

A comment made on another thread made me think about something that I think is significant for anyone dealing with teens. If you are travelling with teens and stop at a restaurant and the teens are paying for their meals individually, make sure they understand the concept of "tipping." I find alot of teens are unaware of what tipping is and what is customary. I know I was guilty of not telling my kids what was customary. I took the bill and always settled it without them really understanding what was going on. This issue is one of the reasons that teens get horrible service at most places -- they do not tip, and cause alot of "extra" work.

[Dave McClung]

A comment made on another thread made me think about something that I think is significant for anyone dealing with teens. If you are travelling with teens and stop at a restaurant and the teens are paying for their meals individually, make sure they understand the concept of "tipping." I find alot of teens are unaware of what tipping is and what is customary. I know I was guilty of not telling my kids what was customary. I took the bill and always settled it without them really understanding what was going on. This issue is one of the reasons that teens get horrible service at most places -- they do not tip, and cause alot of "extra" work.

It is a good place to teach generosity. Of course, it helps if the one explaining the concept sets a good example.

But, when we traveled with teens, we almost always ate at fast food places where tipping isn't customary.

[Billie Goodson]

It really gets interesting when you have a teen that is a waiter/waitress at a restaurant. They will handle the preaching to the other teens. It is a good place to teach generosity -- and an introduction to the adult world of finances.

[Doug Kitchen]

A comment made on another thread made me think about something that I think is significant for anyone dealing with teens. If you are travelling with teens and stop at a restaurant and the teens are paying for their meals individually, make sure they understand the concept of "tipping." I find alot of teens are unaware of what tipping is and what is customary. I know I was guilty of not telling my kids what was customary. I took the bill and always settled it without them really understanding what was going on. This issue is one of the reasons that teens get horrible service at most places -- they do not tip, and cause alot of "extra" work.

We stay in hotels at NYI convention, festival of life and other events. Our pastor's wife encourages our kids to leave a tip and write a thank you note. The kids remember now even if the adults don't.

Doug

[Billie Goodson]

Thats an interesting point Doug. I have left tips for the staff at some places where it was more like a mom and pop operation (B&B type). Do other people leave tips at hotel/motels? What is customary? I travel a lot on business, but, never heard of any co-workers doing this. When I was in California, there was a little note in the hotel room that kind of suggested it...and I gave there too.

[Doug Kitchen]

Thats an interesting point Doug. I have left tips for the staff at some places where it was more like a mom and pop operation (B&B type). Do other people leave tips at hotel/motels? What is customary? I travel a lot on business, but, never heard of any co-workers doing this. When I was in California, there was a little note in the hotel room that kind of suggested it...and I gave there too.

Billie,
I have always heard of the practice of tipping hotel maids. In general, I always try to leave a dollar or two per night. More sometimes. When I was traveling a few weeks ago someone checking out at the same time left their tip at the front desk and the clerk wrote the room number on the envelope. Leaving money in a room is a little tricky until you check out - I think the training for maids is to not take anything from the room, so you may need to leave a slip of paper (or as you noted there may be an envelope in room). My impression is that my coworkers generally don't leave a tip in hotel rooms. I have always heard that if the person doing the service is the owner, then no tip is necessary. Therefore, I wouldn't necessarily tip at a B&B.

I rarely carry much cash when I travel which makes tipping in cash a little difficult and hotels do not usually have a place for tips on the bill. Usually, the last thing I think about as I drive to the airport is whether I have any cash on me. I guess that is one piece of financial advice for teens - make sure you have some extra cash both for emergencies, tipping or for doing something nice for someone else.
Doug