Question: I understand it is traditional to tip the cocktail servers at least $1 for the "free" drinks on the casino floors. But I don't drink. I can see tipping for $5 or $6 drinks, but what about the 75 cent or $1.25 drinks, such as sodas or water?
Kevin in Cookeville, Tenn.
Answer: You have to remember that the cocktail servers expend the same amount of effort to bring you a $5 to $6 drink as they do for a $1 soda, so basing it on the presumed price of a drink is not quite the same as it would be if you were dealing with a bartender, who probably deserves more for making a mixed drink than for opening a bottle of beer, for instance.
Having worked in the service industry before, I'm a little biased about this kind of thing. I know what it's like to depend on tips for a living. And I can imagine how tough it must be for someone to get a 25-cent tip from someone who is dumping 10 times that into a slot machine every 30 seconds.
You also have to remember that the soda or bottle of water you are getting for free will cost you a lot more than $1 if you go to the sundry shop and pick one up yourself. Even small bottles of water go for at least $2, and a can of soda is often the same. You'll wind up saving money with that $1 tip.
I never tip less than $1, but I also always base my tips on how well I'm doing at the casino. If I'm on a streak I'll tip more; perhaps you can do the same. Maybe 50 cents normally, and more if you're doing well.
If you have a question you'd like to submit, click here.
This Week's Trivia
Q: In what year did Binion's Horseshoe open? ANSWER
The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.com
The Full Story
- Binion's Casnio Great, Everything Else Not 'Folies Bergere' Gives Taste Of Classics Bellagio Tops Several Categories In Reader Voting Other News: Elton To Fill Celine's Dark Houses? Vegas Q&A: Is The Strip Safe For 16-Year-Olds? Vegas Q&A: Do I Really Have To Tip For Drinks?
In Next Week's Column
Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.
Plus, don't forget to send me your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!
Click here to go to the main page of Vegas4Visitors.com and see all of the fantastic resources Vegas4Visitors has to offer you when planning your next trip to Las Vegas.
Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors
[an error occurred while processing this directive]