I agree, Pat. Tipping has gotten out of control in some areas. We usually tip $5 per day for the two of us; $10 per day if we travel with another couple; a bit extra for any extra services we require. Tipping is indeed an individual issue. Restaurants are a different story, those wait staff (at least here in the States) make an extremely low salary and depend upon tips for most of their wage, though I do agree with the fact that service for a steak shouldn't be more than service for a hot dog. Other workers (housekeepers, maintenance workers, etc) usually get a more 'normal' salary and any tipping extra amount is at one's discretion. It has irked me over the past few years that most cruise ships now demand pre-paid set tips. (Yes, I realize you can have that taken off at the end if you're not satisfied with some of the services, but it should really be the other way around. I much prefer to individually tip those that have given me good service. If I have a great waiter, but a lousy housekeeper, I don't think they both deserve the same tip).
Robin
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