I wonder if other readers can help me solve a dilemma? I organise short breaks for members of Fleet and District U3A and I include in the price tips for the coach driver and also hotel staff. The problem arises with the latter. On the day we are leaving, I hand to a senior member of hotel staff an envelope containing cash, for distribution to the employees. I have discovered to my dismay, however, that the practice seems to be that the hotel puts this money towards the cost of the Christmas party. This defeats my intention, which is to benefit those people who have served us during our stay. By Christmas, it is likely that many of them will have moved on. I understand that hotel workers are expected to pay for their Christmas party, so any money received from guests would serve as no more than a subsidy, which probably benefits the hotel management more than the employees.Should I abandon the idea and leave tipping to the discretion of our members?

Don Watson
Group Travel Organiser
Fleet & District U3A, Hampshire