I’m going across country on Amtrak for the first time. Two nights. There will be food served and left I believe, outside my door. What is the tip for this and where/how would I give it to the person if they are doing contactless service? TIA!

by Anonymous

reply 19

May 18, 2022 12:48 AM

This reminds me of when Joan Didion first arrived in New York City, she had a cold and the air conditioning was on high in her hotel room and she was freezing to death. She endured it for days because she had no idea what she would need to tip the bellhop who would come to adjust it, so she never called down to the front desk to ask. Luckily you have an anonymous gay board to post to OP, you won’t starve being afraid of not knowing what to tip.

by Anonymous

reply 1

January 30, 2022 3:56 PM

[quote] This reminds me of when Joan Didion

My sister-in-law.

by Anonymous

reply 2

January 30, 2022 4:04 PM

OP, you could put cash in a sealed envelope and write 'Amtrak breakfast' on it. You can also ask the head of customer service (I don't know what Amtrak calls it) when you are boarding. I tip when I ride the trains in England. The servers (buffet car) always tell me there's no tipping in England. I just say something charming and hand it to them.

by Anonymous

reply 3

January 30, 2022 4:44 PM

Thank you, r3 thanks too, r1

by Anonymous

reply 4

January 30, 2022 4:47 PM

Only poors take the train

by Anonymous

reply 5

January 30, 2022 4:53 PM

^ Idiot doesn't realize sleeper cars on Amtrak cost way more than a flight.

by Anonymous

reply 6

January 30, 2022 4:55 PM

Here’s the essay, it comes from pretty early on in the first pages.

“… was anyone ever so young?”

Offsite Link

by Anonymous

reply 7

January 30, 2022 4:59 PM

On the topic of cold AC and the Amtrak sleeper - bring lots of layers and warm socks. I also recommend painters’ tape to cover the vent in case it’s pumping out too cold or hot air for you. It’s difficult to control the temperature.

by Anonymous

reply 8

January 30, 2022 5:08 PM

A note on the door with a photo of your raised caftan and the server will be serving in no time.

by Anonymous

reply 9

January 30, 2022 5:10 PM

10$/day for the sleeper car attendant is usually and customary. No need to tip separately for food brought to your room.

by Anonymous

reply 10

January 30, 2022 5:16 PM

I've left up to $20 per night for really excellent service at bed 'turn down' time, or end of journey, in a Roomette. Meals brought to your room probably deserve that Enjoy! Amtrak can be tremendous fun.

by Anonymous

reply 11

January 30, 2022 5:27 PM

10k, dear. That is standard.

by Anonymous

reply 13

January 30, 2022 10:12 PM

OP...cool trip. Where are you going?

by Anonymous

reply 14

January 30, 2022 10:35 PM

Where are you headed OP? Do you have many stops along the way? Sounds like fun. I have some great Amtrak memories. It's sad though if Covid brought an end to the Dining Car, and the Club Car.

by Anonymous

reply 15

January 31, 2022 6:27 AM

There’s a fun video of porn star Blake Mitchell getting a blow job from his boyfriend Chad on their California train adventure last year.

by Anonymous

reply 16

January 31, 2022 9:10 AM

Friends and I recently took a long distance train out West and we tipped 20$ a night for the sleeping car attendant and 5$ a meal in the dining car.

We were treated well.

by Anonymous

reply 17

May 18, 2022 12:19 AM

Sounds like you are in a room or roomette. The attendant in your car is who you will tip. (He or she will turn down your bed, make your sofa thingy into a bed, etc.) Leave them $20 a night, cash, in the room when you leave.

If you go to the dining car, you can leave a cash tip, generally a few dollars, on your table when you go back to your room, or go to the bar car to pick up a trick, or whatever your are planning to do....

Done that, been there.

by Anonymous

reply 18

May 18, 2022 12:46 AM

When you get off at your last stop, that car attendant will also be at the exit helping you to step down onto the platform. And their hand will find your folded cash, too.

It's not hard.

by Anonymous

reply 19

May 18, 2022 12:48 AM