Question about tipping

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Serial expatYesterday 12:26:48

221

I've been staying in a place that is also listed in Airbnb, but for the past ~4 months I've rented directly from the landlord (who is local and lives on the premises). I've done my own cleaning except for laundry, where the only option was to have the cleaning lady do it. I'll be moving out soon.

Do I tip the cleaning lady? If yes, what's a good range (from "minimum" to "too much")? And, if I tip her I would still not tip the landlord, correct?

I know there can be a lot of strong feeling around tipping and I'd rather not get into the right and wrong of it all, just what would seem right to a reasonable Dominican living/working in a tourism area?

See also

Working in La Vega - Guide
Hello! Questions about claro and starlink i live in las terrenas - 4 Replies
Tipping for Services / Propina - 27 Replies
Somme questions about buying a fixer upper in Sosua/Cabarete aria - 18 Replies
Lots of questions - 5 Replies
General questions about Las Terrenas area - 14 Replies
Question - 6 Replies

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic ExpertYesterday 13:39:48

17689

You definately do not tip the landlord.

I am confused about why you think you should tip the cleaning lady if you do your own cleaning??? To me, that's a no.

If she is the one doing your laundry, then if she does a good job, yes tip her! Maybe based on number of loads of laundry or frequency?

wondering9 Serial expat

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Serial expatYesterday 14:45:45

221

Yes, just for doing laundry. How much would you suggest per load?

bonnie28 Member

Member since 18 November 2023

bonnie28MemberYesterday 15:12:32

I pay 400 pesos per load. I tip her 10% based on the number of loads per visit.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic ExpertYesterday 16:59:11

17689

Great info so you are paying landlord for laundry service, tip her the 10% or 50 RD a load

bonnie28 Member

Member since 18 November 2023

bonnie28MemberYesterday 21:24:21

Ladies,

Sorry if I confused you.

There are on-site cleaners where I live in LT. They also do laundry. That service is added to their cleaning fee if you hire them for that service.

$400 per load is laundry only. They are tipped 10%.

For instance, if they calculate that there were 4 bags /$1600, I add 10% of the total.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic ExpertToday 11:44:11

17689

@bonnie28

It was pretty clear to me! Thanks for the details.

Papito NL Contributor

Member since 31 August 2023

Papito NLContributorToday 12:09:37

153

When 400 is paid to the landlord the cleaner might get only part of that in salary. So your 10% tip based on the total fee will be more than that to the cleaner.