I know this is a sensitve topic for a lot of us and I've only been hobbying for a few months. But generally, how do you guys determine when to tip and how much? Is it "proper" to tip all the time? Even when some agencies say "everything is included" in the rate, is it still the "gentlemanly" thing to always leave a tip?

What you don't want to happen is being pressured into tipping. That includes yourself.

It is really up to you to decide when and how much to tip, but here are some points to ponder....

1. Even when working with an agency, a lady still makes an excellent living. In exchange for the portion of the donation the agency keeps, she does not have to worry about paying for her advertising, doing her screening and scheduling, and often does not have to pay for her own photoshoots, does not have to worry about maintaining her own website, and generally doesn't have to bother with e-mails and phone calls either. In short, the agency more than earns their portion of her fee.

2. Tips are expected in service jobs where the hourly wage is set low in anticipation of the worker receiving an additional gratuity. Waiters and waitresses, hairdressers, valets and the like do not make several hundred an hour, thus the tips they receive are an important part of their overall income. They would not be able to pay the rent without them.

3. Agency lady or indpendent, tips should NEVER be expected. The stated donation should ALWAYS be all inclusive. Anything else is an upsell, and what she is asking for is not a "tip", its an additional service charge.

4. The best "tip" you can give a lady is to write up a review and come back and see her again.

After taking all of the above into consideration, if a lady just really knocks your socks off and you feel as though you absolutely have to leave her a tip, then by all means feel free to do so. Its your $ to spend as you choose.

There is a lot of discussion on this subject.  I don't tip, I take gifts.

Swim

I see it like this: I tip a good waiter/waitress 20% when they've done a great job.  I would of course tip a good provider the same.  The provider gives you so much more than the most fantastic waitress, so why tip them any less?

Gifts are great, too.  I make sure that the gift would have the same value as a cash tip.  However since you don't necessarily know how good the service will be with providers that are new to you, I prefer giving cash.  Who would snub their nose at Benjamins or Andrew Jacksons?  Nobody I know.  Keep in mind; you can pay bills with cash.  You can't with gifts, but you can buy whatever you want with cash!

Didn't think so.

They probably bill somewhere around the same rate as many providers.  Are they less deserving of tips for good performance?

Typically wait staff (using your example) are paid artificially low wages with the expectation that it is to be supplemented with tips.  The same is not true of providers, many of whom set their own rates at the level that they are comfortable.

Understand that I'm not saying don't tip.  If it makes you happy, knock yourself out.  Your reasoning, however, is flawed.

I am completely comfortable with my listed donations.  

I hear a lot of guys say that this is the norm for independent escorts (not tipping extra), but they often do tip the agency girls, since they are only receiving a small cut of the donation.

I always tip. sometimes a little. sometimes a lot. that's just me. I do it to show appreciation.

How much to give is up to you. But I've given as little as 5% to as much as 150%.

I would rather that you just kept that tip and come back and see me sooner rather than later with the money you saved from not tipping. Honest

When I am giving a client a great deal on the suggested donation, I have noticed that many clients will tip me, so I am still receiving the donation that is fair/equal to my provider peers.

For instance, I was offering FBSM for $100 in NYC a couple months ago.  (I was offering these cheap body rubs to fill in blank spots on my calendar, and it should be understood that FBSM was not my "bread and butter," so to speak.)  Well, the going rate for non-pro body rubs in NYC is actually around $200.  Plus, I am well-reviewed, which increases my "market value" as a provider.  Most clients who saw me for FBSM in NYC would tip me around $50 to $100, even though I did not expect them to tip me.  They just knew that all of the other FBSM girls were getting paid $200, even the non-pro ones.  They just wanted to make sure I was being taken care of, in an equitable, fair manner.  How caring is that? Very sweet guys, they are.  I think it's really nice, when the guys just want to make sure the girl is getting her fair share of the pie.  It's really thoughtful.  It's kind of like buying clothes that are not made in sweatshops or "fair trade coffee."

I do think that independent providers have much more control over their rates, though, which is why tips should be tacitly understood as "optional," if you are dealing with an indie provider.

Many doctors and lawyers make well over 6 figures a year.  A tip to them would have next to zero significance in their pay or as a show of appreciation.  I do however buy my lawyer a nice gift at Christmas.  I see my doctor maybe once every 3 years, so no, he does not get a gift or extra compensation.  A provider, however, can greatly benefit from tips.  Professional websites, photographers, ad sites, outfits, child-care for many, non-insured medical care and the various other expenses that these ladies incur for our enjoyment add up very quickly and take a great chunk out of their profits.  My reasoning is not flawed at all.  You are just failing to see the bigger picture.

do your tip your lawyer?  Your CPA?

A waitress makes a lower wage than minimum wage because of the tipping style in the USA.  This is different than what a provider makes.

I have always said the best tip is another date.

-- Modified on 2/2/2010 6:05:41 AM