How to Be a Perfect Guest in Paris or New York

September 22, 2009 — -- Q: What's the real story on parking tickets and rental cars? Do I pay them?

A: You might as well—you'll end up doing it eventually. Check your rental agreement, of course, but usually the person renting the car agrees to pay all tickets received while they're renting it. If you don't pay the ticket, the rental-car company will, but they'll pass that along to you via the credit card you used to pay for the car. They might throw in some extra fees, too, for their trouble.

This also applies to speeding tickets issued automatically by radar cameras… as my husband and I recently found out via our credit-card statement about two months after we returned from Germany. (Oops. FYI, there is a speed limit on some parts of the Autobahn.)

Q: Your last column about tipping housekeeping reminded me of my recent trip to New York. On my train out of the city, I found the tip I'd meant to leave for housekeeping in my pocket. I was there for six nights, so it was more than a couple of bucks. When I got home, I sent an envelope containing the cash to the hotel manager along with a letter requesting that he give it to the person who cleaned my room. I included my room number and dates of occupancy. Was there a different way to handle this? Do you think the manager will get the money to the proper person?

A: I think you handled that extremely graciously. Most people, upon discovering the money in their pocket, would've thought, "Shoot, I forgot to tip housekeeping… but hey, now I have cash for the dining car!"

The only thing I can think of doing differently, should this happen again, is calling the hotel to get the name of the person who cleaned your room so you could address the envelope directly to them. But I suspect most managers (in reputable NYC hotels, at least!) would do the right thing and pass on the money.