Are $2 bills appreciated for tips?

[ThirstyCruiser]

"Are $2 bills appreciated for tips?"

A. If its the choice between a single $1 bill and a single $2 bill, the $2 bills are very much appreciated without a doubt.

 

B. If its the choice between a pair of $1 bills and a single $2 bill, some staff could not care less (money is money and each is worth exactly the same) while other staff will very much prefer the two singles because maybe they personally had or have heard of issues with others accepting the $2 bills.

 

Either way, you'll never hear any staff complain when presented a $2 bill. Now, if you start handing out $3 bills, their attitude may change.

[Hutcha]

Funny how some are saying that they'll have a hard time exchanging them in their home country. Do you really think that they save up cash tips, for 8 months, and carry it all home with them??

 

I like giving out $2 bills. It's easier to grab ten $2 bills for the day than twenty $1 bills. They're great for bar tips. 

[Mark_K]

I’ve always operated on the assumption that the amount of the tip outweighs the form of it.  Also, ports, home countries aside, I’d be surprised to find out the ship is unwilling to take them.

[time4u2go]

I suspect one reason merchants don't like them is because they don't have a slot for them in their cash registers.

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by time4u2go

[Wineaux007]

From a google search:

 

What does it mean when someone gives you a $2 bill?

Spiritual meanings associated with a two-dollar bill include desiring a soulmate, experiencing scarcity, overspending, missing opportunities, and having a limiting mindset.

 

LOL.

[gavvy]

3 hours ago, ShillyShally said:

I was thinking of doing this but wasn’t sure if I could feed them in anywhere, as in wasn’t sure they’d be recognized as having $2 denomination instead of $1.

If it's legal the casino will be more than happy for a donation.

[poocher]

Why got out of your way to obtain a seldom used denomination to use for tips?  Do you ask for $2 bills when you cash a check?  Do you get them to use in your everyday life? They certainly aren’t dispensed at ATMs.  Not having a slot in a cash drawer for them is absolutely one of the reasons merchants dislike them.  Are they legal tender? Yes.  If offered should they be accepted?  Yes.  But many posts here appear to me more of the “I don’t care if it’s possibly more problematic for the recipient, it’s legal & im gonna do it”

[Trailcon]

=I have use them on my five cruises in 2021[2022 and most of the crew liked them or made no comment.  I had I bartender on Anthem that loved them as he had a collection of over 600.  I use them to identify myself for future visits.

[time4u2go]

27 minutes ago, Trailcon said:

=I have use them on my five cruises in 2021[2022 and most of the crew liked them or made no comment.  I had I bartender on Anthem that loved them as he had a collection of over 600.  I use them to identify myself for future visits.

If a crew member didn't like them do you honestly think they would tell you?

[ShillyShally]

30 minutes ago, Trailcon said:

=I have use them on my five cruises in 2021[2022 and most of the crew liked them or made no comment.  I had I bartender on Anthem that loved them as he had a collection of over 600.  I use them to identify myself for future visits.

Thanks so much for this feedback! I may bring them, see how they’re received and if it seems lukewarm will have backup and use for onboard account! 

[time4u2go]

34 minutes ago, poocher said:

Why got out of your way to obtain a seldom used denomination to use for tips?  Do you ask for $2 bills when you cash a check?  Do you get them to use in your everyday life? They certainly aren’t dispensed at ATMs.  Not having a slot in a cash drawer for them is absolutely one of the reasons merchants dislike them.  Are they legal tender? Yes.  If offered should they be accepted?  Yes.  But many posts here appear to me more of the “I don’t care if it’s possibly more problematic for the recipient, it’s legal & im gonna do it”

I totally agree. Why even run the risk of unnecessarily making something more difficult for the crew members? I'm sure they can find a way to use the $2 bills but why make them potentially go through extra effort to do so?

[Husky1987]

General rule should just be "Don't get cute".  Would they like a $2 bill more than no tip?  Of course.  But all things being equal, just be normal.  No $2 bills, no Susan B. Anthony coins, no chocolate bars or T-shirts from your hometown.  

[Seville2Cabo]

35 minutes ago, Trailcon said:

=I have use them on my five cruises in 2021[2022 and most of the crew liked them or made no comment.  I had I bartender on Anthem that loved them as he had a collection of over 600.  I use them to identify myself for future visits.

I think they would say they liked them even if they did not.  Plus, we like to engage the bartenders and they remember us and what we drink without handing out $2 bills.

 

I do think if a bartender can collect almost a month's salary of bills just cause he likes them, we may have to reconsider the tipping thread.

[Aquahound]

I'm always amazed at how often the $2 bill discussion comes up.  I can't even remember the last time I saw one.  😁

[ShillyShally]

14 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

I'm always amazed at how often the $2 bill discussion comes up.  I can't even remember the last time I saw one.  😁

Ha, I should have searched first, but hadn’t seen one recently and mine is more “I already have a bunch, use them or not?” Which will in all honesty come down to what opportunities I have in advance to trade them out!

[Aquahound]

1 minute ago, ShillyShally said:

Ha, I should have searched first, but hadn’t seen one recently and mine is more “I already have a bunch, use them or not?” Which will in all honesty come down to what opportunities I have in advance to trade them out!

 

Oh, no.  You're fine.  Not flaming at all.  Good luck.  🙂

[Wineaux007]

Tipping with $2 bills is akin to "Hey, look at me" in my opinion.    Not really necessary, but if it tickles your fancy, go for it.  

[ronrythm]

For all of you saying $2 bills are legal tender, they are not legal tender on RCI ships, because you are NOT IN THE USA. You are legally in the country of that ship’s registry. As soon as you cross the gangway, you left the USA. Please quit assuming that the laws of the USA are in effect everywhere in the world. That’s one of the things that makes Ugly American Tourists.

 

As to the part of using them for tipping, everyone who works in cash handling positions hates $2 bills. They don’t fit anywhere in a normal cash drawer. Most cash handlers will try to get rid of them as soon as possible, because they confuse things. Quite often they will be counted as the wrong denomination and your cash drawer won’t balance until you figure it out.

 

So you give a crew member a $2 bill. Are they going to turn it down? No, they are going to be as appreciative as possible in hopes of getting more of them. But since they are probably not going to be able to spend them if they get a day off in port (as the port merchants won’t take them. Period. They just don’t) they are going to have to probably put it on their shipboard account. Yes, they have shipboard accounts too. So they take their $2 bill to the Crew Purser and hope the Crew Purser is in a good mood. Because the Crew Purser is in a cash handling position and hates $2 bills as mentioned above. The Crew Purser is very important to crew members so they try not to piss them off. But they need to get rid of that $2 bill. Things to consider when you tip $2 bills.

[Aquahound]

20 minutes ago, ronrythm said:

For all of you saying $2 bills are legal tender, they are not legal tender on RCI ships, because you are NOT IN THE USA. You are legally in the country of that ship’s registry. As soon as you cross the gangway, you left the USA. Please quit assuming that the laws of the USA are in effect everywhere in the world. That’s one of the things that makes Ugly American Tourists.

 

C'mon.  I kinda get what you're saying (although a cruise ship at the dock certainly is still in the US, which is why states can charge taxes on drinks), but I think it's ridiculous to akin spending US dollars on a cruise ship to "ugly Americans."  

[ronandcarla]

10 hours ago, ShillyShally said:

My late mother loved $2 bills and I inherited about $400+ in them when she passed and I have carried them on trips and forget to use them, for tips or for spending, lol! So now I want to make an effort to unload them, but would they be appreciated as tips for drinks or a few for other service? I can convert them to standard bills if they’d just be received as a nuisance. Would love to know any experience from others who have used them?

To me bc of inflation $2.00 is a great way to give tips.  Believe me anyone who gets a two dollar bill  or multiple ones will be most appreciative of it.

[billslowsky]

3 hours ago, time4u2go said:

If a crew member didn't like them do you honestly think they would tell you?

Like when people bring homemade trinkets as a "personal" gift...

[Mum2Mercury]

Any tip is appreciated. 

The more typically used bills are more appreciated.  

[Merion_Mom]

@Flannel1

 

And everyone else.

 

A person could easily go a LIFETIME and never encounter a $2 bill.

 

That is how "non-standard" they are.

 

Only on Cruise Critic do you hear about them!

 

<roll eyes emoticon>

[Jam0610]

5 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

@Flannel1

 

And everyone else.

 

A person could easily go a LIFETIME and never encounter a $2 bill.

 

That is how "non-standard" they are.

 

Only on Cruise Critic do you hear about them!

 

<roll eyes emoticon>

Agree. I even checked with our bank to see if they were still printed and in circulation. Answer is yes.

But I have not seen one in 30 plus years. 

We both just carry $ 1.00's for extra tips.

[Joseph2017China]

12 hours ago, Trailcon said:

=I have use them on my five cruises in 2021[2022 and most of the crew liked them or made no comment.  I had I bartender on Anthem that loved them as he had a collection of over 600.  I use them to identify myself for future visits.

First, if you give a bartender a 33%, they are not going to tell you that they don't want it.  Next, if they tell you they "collect" the bills and have $600 of them as a collection, that only encourages you to continue giving a 33% tip.  So it is a win win for the bartender to get your money.