Small gifts appreciated by staff?

soundgarden · 10-12-2006

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but I was wondering, in addition to daily tips, are small gifts are appreciated by the staff at an AI resort? Not that it matters, but we are staying at the Iberostar Tucan.

When I travel with my family to India and some other places, we always bring little gifts of makeup, such as lipsticks/nailpolishes, small toys, pens/pencils/notebooks - all new. I would love to bring some small gifts, especially for the cleaning staff, bartenders, and groundskeepers, but I don't want to offend them in any way...

Rissask · 10-12-2006

Small silver and gold things called pesos are by far the best gifts for staff in Mexico- they can buy anything they want there....unlike Cuba where stuff like makeup/vitamins/Levis, etc are very much appreciated.

But we have brought along fishhooks and (new) ball caps and t-shirts as part of a tip (the other part $$) to give to fishing captains. And I have left unused and brand new toiletry items for the maid if we are going home and never used them.

soundgarden · 10-12-2006

Oh, I would definitely leave a tip everyday, I was just wondering if other things would be appreciated in adddition to tips.
Thanks for your advice!

Leia · 10-12-2006

When we were staying at the Mayan Palace, my sister wanted to give one of the security guards her Spanish English dictionary for his daughter. She had to write a note for him saying it was a gift or he said it would have been confiscated on his way out of the complex when he went home. We have also heard that staff are searched before they get on the shuttle buses leaving complexes to take them home. Has anyone else heard this?

jamesblonde · 10-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leia

When we were staying at the Mayan Palace, my sister wanted to give one of the security guards her Spanish English dictionary for his daughter. She had to write a note for him saying it was a gift or he said it would have been confiscated on his way out of the complex when he went home. We have also heard that staff are searched before they get on the shuttle buses leaving complexes to take them home. Has anyone else heard this?

The large hotels do require you to give notes if you plan on sending stuff home with any of the staff. We most often given all things that we have purchased for our comfort during vacations to someone on the staff and always have to write a note.

As for the original question.......I think tips are what is most important.

**Shammy** · 10-12-2006

Honestly, money really is most appreciated. There are plenty of stores where they can purchase the things they need - Wal Mart, Sams Club, Mega, Woolworth, etc. It's not like the Dominican where they have a difficult time locating some of what we think are basic necessities. There isn't much problem with WHERE to buy, but more of a problem with what to pay for them with. Get my drift?

soundgarden · 10-12-2006

I suppose that it's all a matter of where you go - in some places where I've traveled, particular kinds of makeup and toys are very hard to come by and are thus highly appreciated.
But from reading the above, I will just stick to tipping in pesos. Thanks for the advice!

caramba · 10-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundgarden

I suppose that it's all a matter of where you go - in some places where I've traveled, particular kinds of makeup and toys are very hard to come by and are thus highly appreciated.
But from reading the above, I will just stick to tipping in pesos. Thanks for the advice!

Very true.
First time we went to Jamaica we brought bottles of bubbles for the kids of some friends, and had their mother run out of the house and "confiscate" them, as even soap was not easily come by at that time and she needed it to wash their clothes.

itsmysecondtime · 10-12-2006

Why entangle yourself in such quasi-ludicrous, albeit well intended endeavors?
You're there to relax and enjoy, not to consume yourself with all the permutations of security searches and notes and personal tastes, and context of such gifts etc...etc...
Do yourself a favor, simplify, simplify, simplify, leave money tips and leave the task of selecting something meaningful and practical up to the recipient of your tips.

You may just enjoy your vacation most this way. Have fun.

soundgarden · 10-13-2006

I wouldn't go so far as to say that my intentions were quasi-ludicrous. During my travels, once I saw how happy that some people were to receive certain items, I simply learned bring small gifts with me - from books to small toys. For all I know, these things might be very easy to come by in Riviera Maya, and if so, I wouldn't bring anything with me, and that is why I asked. My vacation is all about relaxing - you don't have to worry about that. But now that I know that it would be more of a hassle than anything else, I am just happy to show my appreciation in money.

Rissask · 10-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundgarden

I wouldn't go so far as to say that my intentions were quasi-ludicrous. During my travels, once I saw how happy that some people were to receive certain items, I simply learned bring small gifts with me - from books to small toys. For all I know, these things might be very easy to come by in Riviera Maya, and if so, I wouldn't bring anything with me, and that is why I asked. My vacation is all about relaxing - you don't have to worry about that. But now that I know that it would be more of a hassle than anything else, I am just happy to show my appreciation in money.

I wanted to add that if you would like to help out local needy children, there is a charity called Angel Notion in Playa that accepts donations of money, vitamins, clothes and shoes, and school supplies.

You can contact Lavonna at Angel Notion before you go and ask what needs are priority at the time.

http://www.angelnotion.org/

Or her blog is here:

www.angelnotion.blogspot.com,

She was having back surgery recently though, I am sure if she is around.

What we did was we are allowed two checked bags each, so we each took an extra bag and filled it with clothing donations and school supplies...and Lavonna actually came and picked them up right at our hotel.

soundgarden · 10-13-2006

Rissak, thank you very much for that information - I appreciate it!

Rissask · 10-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundgarden

Rissak, thank you very much for that information - I appreciate it!

No problem! It's a very well respected charity and they get many donations from people on this board.

nuticanuk · 10-17-2006

We asked once and were told that a small (very small) percentage of the cost of our stay includes the 'tips' for staff. So we've done both. Brought little gifts for the kids of staff and given monetary gifts to special staff members. But we always include a note. With the money, we'd put it in an envelope with a note written on it saying a special thank you, and from who. This covers them and they would not be accused of anything wrong.
On a side note, I just confirmed that I'm going to be back in Mexico in late February!! WOOHOO!! only problem, we wanted to see the new & improved 'Beach Palace' and just found out from their website they now expect to re-open in April 2007 instead of the updated Feb 2007. Oh well...guess I'll just have to stay in Playa and make a day trip or two to Cancun. (don't worry...Playa is preferred!!)

soundgarden · 10-18-2006

Thanks nuticanuk!! That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to know.

I am off to Playa del Carmen in less than two months. I hope that you and yours have an amazing time there! <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_532619", true); </SCRIPT>

10-12-2006	#1 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	Small gifts appreciated by staff? Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but I was wondering, in addition to daily tips, are small gifts are appreciated by the staff at an AI resort? Not that it matters, but we are staying at the Iberostar Tucan. When I travel with my family to India and some other places, we always bring little gifts of makeup, such as lipsticks/nailpolishes, small toys, pens/pencils/notebooks - all new. I would love to bring some small gifts, especially for the cleaning staff, bartenders, and groundskeepers, but I don't want to offend them in any way...

10-17-2006	#14 (permalink)
nuticanuk way into it Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 114	Tips & Treasures We asked once and were told that a small (very small) percentage of the cost of our stay includes the 'tips' for staff. So we've done both. Brought little gifts for the kids of staff and given monetary gifts to special staff members. But we always include a note. With the money, we'd put it in an envelope with a note written on it saying a special thank you, and from who. This covers them and they would not be accused of anything wrong. On a side note, I just confirmed that I'm going to be back in Mexico in late February!! WOOHOO!! only problem, we wanted to see the new & improved 'Beach Palace' and just found out from their website they now expect to re-open in April 2007 instead of the updated Feb 2007. Oh well...guess I'll just have to stay in Playa and make a day trip or two to Cancun. (don't worry...Playa is preferred!!)

10-18-2006	#15 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	Thanks nuticanuk!! That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to know. I am off to Playa del Carmen in less than two months. I hope that you and yours have an amazing time there! <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_532619", true); </SCRIPT> Last edited by soundgarden; 10-19-2006 at 07:12 AM.

10-12-2006	#2 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 19,646	Small silver and gold things called pesos are by far the best gifts for staff in Mexico- they can buy anything they want there....unlike Cuba where stuff like makeup/vitamins/Levis, etc are very much appreciated. But we have brought along fishhooks and (new) ball caps and t-shirts as part of a tip (the other part $$) to give to fishing captains. And I have left unused and brand new toiletry items for the maid if we are going home and never used them.

10-12-2006	#3 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	Oh, I would definitely leave a tip everyday, I was just wondering if other things would be appreciated in adddition to tips. Thanks for your advice!

10-12-2006	#4 (permalink)
Leia beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lower Mainland, BC, Canada Posts: 484	When we were staying at the Mayan Palace, my sister wanted to give one of the security guards her Spanish English dictionary for his daughter. She had to write a note for him saying it was a gift or he said it would have been confiscated on his way out of the complex when he went home. We have also heard that staff are searched before they get on the shuttle buses leaving complexes to take them home. Has anyone else heard this?

10-12-2006	#6 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,495	Honestly, money really is most appreciated. There are plenty of stores where they can purchase the things they need - Wal Mart, Sams Club, Mega, Woolworth, etc. It's not like the Dominican where they have a difficult time locating some of what we think are basic necessities. There isn't much problem with WHERE to buy, but more of a problem with what to pay for them with. Get my drift?

10-12-2006	#7 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	I suppose that it's all a matter of where you go - in some places where I've traveled, particular kinds of makeup and toys are very hard to come by and are thus highly appreciated. But from reading the above, I will just stick to tipping in pesos. Thanks for the advice!

10-12-2006	#9 (permalink)
itsmysecondtime añejo Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of the Boston Tea Party Posts: 4,047	Why entangle yourself in such quasi-ludicrous, albeit well intended endeavors? You're there to relax and enjoy, not to consume yourself with all the permutations of security searches and notes and personal tastes, and context of such gifts etc...etc... Do yourself a favor, simplify, simplify, simplify, leave money tips and leave the task of selecting something meaningful and practical up to the recipient of your tips. You may just enjoy your vacation most this way. Have fun.

10-13-2006	#10 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	I wouldn't go so far as to say that my intentions were quasi-ludicrous. During my travels, once I saw how happy that some people were to receive certain items, I simply learned bring small gifts with me - from books to small toys. For all I know, these things might be very easy to come by in Riviera Maya, and if so, I wouldn't bring anything with me, and that is why I asked. My vacation is all about relaxing - you don't have to worry about that. But now that I know that it would be more of a hassle than anything else, I am just happy to show my appreciation in money.

10-13-2006	#12 (permalink)
soundgarden very sparkly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 28	Rissak, thank you very much for that information - I appreciate it!

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