Is a gratuity in order?

[Guest skywalker]

I am about to have my first experience with an escort. I'm going for the gusto and am flying a gentleman in to be with me for about a 72-hour period. I am wondering whether a gratuity is normally called for/expected for a period of this length, and if so, how much. On the one hand I feel that since this gentleman will already be making a fairly handsome amount perhaps no additional money need be offered. On the other hand based on the interaction I have had with this individual thus far I expect his services to be of very high quality, and I generally like to reward meritorious conduct.

 

What do those of you with experience feel? I would appreciate hearing the viewpoints of both customers and escorts.

 

Thanks a lot for the feedback gentlemen.

[Guest MrB]

I'm sure many guys add tips to escorts' agreed fees for longer appointments all the time. Though I may personally add a tip to a guy's fee for an hour or so, if you're already paying a guy say $2000, why would you want to throw in another $300? I'm not filthy rich :-( in which case, of course, I happily would. Instead, why not buy him a special gift such as cologne, underwear or a toy to show your appreciation?

 

MrB

[liubit]

This topic has been long debated in this forum :-) I personally do not tip an escort, just as I wouldn't tip my lawyer, my dentist or my shrink...I have given some of my "working boys" occasional gifts, though, and they seem to appreciate the gesture.

[ted]

Rarely tip escorts, particularly for extended periods-they are making very good money. Often tip masseurs, particularly if their service has gone beyond a straight massage. Often buy gifts for the escorts, for which they seem appreciative, but then only they really know. Try and make the gift something the escort is interested in, which you can only do after spending some time with them and getting to know them.

[Guest WEHOHO]

I frequently tip. For hourly services I tip as much as %200- not because it is expected or necessary, but because I want to. If an escort really does a good job meeting my needs, I want to reward his effort. Also, I find that as a result of this practice, I often times move toward the top of the escort's list in terms of priority customers.

[Guest JustANametoPlay]

My philosophy on tipping in any type of situation has always been that if the person providing the service is the "owner" of the buisness, especially a cash buisness, I don't tip them as they are getting the entire fee for whatever service. Now if the person is an employee of a company providing a service then I absolutely tip them. As an example, if I go to Supercuts and get my haircut I tip the person. When I get my haircut by one of my parents neighbors who does it out of her home as her own business I don't tip her.

 

Now this doesn't mean that if the "owner" does a great job and you feel they deserve more you shouldn't tip them. However I don't think it is required or should be expected.

[Guest LAtommy]

I agree with JustANametoPlay!

[Guest albinorat]

Well, I have nothing else to do so I might as well weigh in here -- mind those scales! (bad self-esteem day). I have a "scene" I like, so if an escort gets into it convincingly and I have a great time I tip a lot. Likewise, if it appears that an escort has gone beyond the call of duty (really he hasn't clock watched so a scheduled hour went on a lot longer).

 

On the other hand if the service is just ordinary (however enjoyable) or there is too much a sense of business as usual and a hurry to be done I don't tip.

 

It does seem to be gilding the lily to tip an escort after 72 hours when just about everything imaginable will have been paid for by the client and there's a hefty fee. But I suppose even in that circumstance someone who is a special delight might be worth the gesture -- if one can afford it.

 

It may be that I'm rather a savage, but I find the idea of buying an escort a gift a little strange. I suspect most would prefer the extra cash.

 

Al

[Guest skywalker]

I'd like to thank all of you that have responded to my inquiry.

 

A lot of intelligent comments have been made on both sides of the argument, many of which I had not thought of myself.

 

I hope there are a few escorts that will offer their point of view as well. If you are making a couple grand or more for a longer engagement, do you still feel you should be offered a gratuity?

 

Thanks again.

 

 

skywalker

[Guest Joey Ciccone]

I think you should definitely tip an agency escort, unless they were just awful. As for independents, if and how much may be safest if judged by the individual. Obviously, every single escort working would like a gratuity, most probably deserve one, and many will truly appreciate it. Maybe just wait and see how close you feel to this guy at the end of your time together. Sincerity from both throughout might let you know what to do. - jc

 

http://www.manicpress.com/joey

[Guest DickHo]

>Obviously, every

>single escort working would like

>a gratuity, most probably deserve

>one, and many will truly

>appreciate it.

 

Wow, that's a mouthful. I agree that most would like a tip (and many actually hint or blatantly ask for it), I can't agree that most deserve one. My guideline is the same as the haircut analogy stated above. Except, that if the chemistry has been very good and I'd like to see them again, I add a small tip to send a positive message. But, in NYC, where rates are now averaging $250 an hour, I feel that most escorts are being properly compensated for their services.

[Guest Joey Ciccone]

>>Wow, that's a mouthful<<

 

Me too.

 

>>I agree that most would like a tip (and many actually hint or blatantly ask for it)<<

 

Shameful and certainly not my style.

 

>>I can't agree that most deserve one<<

 

Well, I was just trying to be nice. As an escort, it's somewhat unethical for me to give others anything less than the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure there's some who don't deserve any tip other than 'get out of the business'.

 

>>I add a small tip to send a positive message. But, in NYC, where rates are now averaging $250 an hour, I feel that most escorts are being properly compensated for their services<<

 

Half my business is in NY and I only average $200, but you're right; even at that I certainly feel I'm being properly compensated, which is why I don't require a tip to insure a great time will be had in the future. This is of little assistance to skywalkers' query - but about half of my clients do tip, the other half don't. Some clients simply can't afford to tip an escort. And that's fine. It's not mandatory. It's not even bad etiquette. We're not waiters. But if a client can afford to, and is moved to do so by an escort who is deserving, then I'm sure that escort will appreciate it, and show it in some way.

[Rod Hagen]

I've flipped 180 degrees on this subject. 1.75 years ago when I first started escorting I was normally quite offended when I did not receive a gratuity; I felt that I somehow did not measure up.

 

That was dumb. If I want 1300 for an overnight, I should ask for it. Now that I am a bit hipper, I realize that tipping someone who sets his own fares is as illogical as slipping your Dentist a couple of bills.

 

HOWEVER, if you'd like to show your escort some special attention, take him to dinner at Daniels in NYC, or Jasmine's in Las Vegas, or L' ermitage in LA. Book a room at a The Bel Aire Hotel or The Banff Springs instead of the Hilton. Gifts are nice, but a duo massage at the Penninsula spa is great too, and romantic.

 

In other words, you can say in generosity what you may intitially have intended to say with cash, and the message will be just as clear: I LIKE YOUR MOVES!

 

-Hagen

 

http://www.rodhagen.com

[Guest skywalker]

>Half my business is in NY and I only average $200, but you're right; even at that I certainly feel I'm being properly >compensated, which is why I don't require a tip to insure a great time will be had in the future.

 

I appreciate the honesty and forthrightness of your response, Mr. Ciccone. Thank you.

 

 

skywalker

[Guest skywalker]

>HOWEVER, if you'd like to show your escort some special attention, take him to dinner at Daniels in NYC, or Jasmine's in Las Vegas, or L'ermitage in LA. Book a room at a The Bel Aire Hotel or The Banff Springs instead of the Hilton. Gifts are nice, but a duo massage at the Penninsula spa is great too, and romantic.

 

-Hagen

 

I like the sentiment you are expressing here, Rod. Above all I want to have a fun time with my gentleman friend, and your suggestion of an extra-special dinner, or a massage-for-two, or some other special treat we can enjoy together makes a lot of sense. Thanks for your contribution.

 

 

skywalker

[Guest safesane]

Tipping all escorts,whether independent or agency,is FOOLISH! In fact,the 'tip' is already factored in the price.And you could take that to the bank.

[Traveller]

Tip. To insure promptness. Call me crazy, but I like to take my time getting slammed into the wall.

 

Later.

[Guest pickwick]

I wouldn't put it quite that way, but I agree that people who charge $150 per hour and up for their services shouldn't expect a tip on top of that.

[johnnysneakers]

Tipping is such an American sport. In the case of escorts it is unnecessary, unless you are actually getting more time or totally exceptional service. Tipping can also be an attempt by the client to overly impress the escort and could thereby be a power play to buy more respect than is deserved. Pay a professional a professional fee and leave it at that, unless there is something exceptional.....in which case it is not a tip but an extension on the fee.

[Guest Nice Guy]

I have to agree with Rod. Even though we sit on different sides of the isle. I don't believe in 20ish years I have ever tiped, not with hard cash that is. Mr. Hagen is correct. Take the gentleman to dinner or pamper yourselves at a spa. I dislike the exchanges of funds in the first place. I hate it when I feel I am at the Butcher's and picking out a piece of meat. So I would love to show how pleased I am or what a great guy I thought he was by doing "something" that is a little out of the norm.

I recall one guy. In the course of our discussions regarding his fees, he wanted a shoping spree in addition to his somewhat hefty fee and I ended up canceling. The kid was all of 22 and he wanted compensation as if he were Rod, or Brett Silvers or Mike Grey...... PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My advise to him was to do his homework and come back when he could teach ME something!

So have a field day.... and don't tip, hire the guy again if you had a great time. That is better for both of you

NG

[Guest JustANametoPlay]

Well! Here is some information that I just found in an article from my alma maters newspaper. Please note it quites and "expert" on Tipping!

 

 

"Tipping says 'thank you' in a way that matters," explained Judy Bowman, president of Protocol Consultants International, who specializes in training businesses and corporations in business and dining etiquette. According to Bowman, the standard going rate for tipping has gone up in the last year, from 15-20 percent to 18-22 percent. "If you leave a 10 or 15 percent tip you're going to get raised eyebrows," she said.

 

The important thing to remember about tipping is that people you tip are most likely in the same boat you are ‹ pretty scrapped for cash themselves.

 

"You tip members of the service industry ‹ people who rely on tips to make a living ‹ not the management," Bowman said. Think about your waiter as the guy who sits next to you in economics and your tipping outlook could change.

[Guest EWC]

Pursuant to Rod's suggestion that you take the escort out to dinner or some such, a suggestion with which I agree wholeheartedly, how does one deal with the fact that we are now taking up more of his time, and what you meant as let's have a meal off the clock so to speak after a session now is taking up more of his time, and should you be paying for that? What are the escorts views of this?

[Rod Hagen]

>What are the

>escorts views of this?

 

I don't meet with clients off the clock, and was refering to extra fun activities during the overnight or 24-hour appointment.

 

-Hagen

 

http://www.rodhagen.com

[ericmagyar]

As a prominent escort myself, I'd suggest that what you do is perhaps get him something special if he's worth it. In other words, see how he gets along with you. I have known escorts who have gone on trips and have been completely terrible. On the other hand, if he's doing a great job, why not see what catches his eye, i.e. a sweater or something in a store that you might go by, and get him that as a sort of thank you. After all, if you are spending so much on him, something a little extra won't really be a problem. I wouldn't go overboard, but something like that is always nice.

 

Cheers,

 

Eric

http://ericmagyar.com

[adriano46]

Hmmm...

 

First of all, having had the privilege of meeting both Rod and Joey, I can say that "tipping" or showing them a nice time comes very easily, and I have enjoyed them more for that.

 

On the other hand, when an escort (and one who is not all THAT great) "suggests" the tip or the gift... I am wary as I have been taken too by that.

 

I agree with what Rod says (and Joey implies): that the rule I follow is - if he is good (exceptional), and if the evening is going very well (or even... if the hour or two...) then I tip. I nearly ALWAYS tip a guy from an agency unless he is a total bore.