Regis Checks In

Note to Regis Philbin: Many upscale resorts are tacking an extra fee to guest bills to cover gratuities to bellman and even housekeeping staff. It's supposed to save the guest from worrying about tipping, but with tipping etiquette already fraught with unwritten rules and subtle nuances, this new wrinkle is likely to cause more akward situations like the one Regis found himself in recently.

It seems Regis checked into the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida and, as we have all done, tipped the bellman. ("Regis Philbin Gets a Check-In Surprise") He was then told gratuities would be added to his bill. In a Seinfeldian moment, Regis couldn't ask for the tip back at that point. (One may wonder why the bellman didn't simply refuse it in the first place.)

Related: Tipping Etiquette