Tip envelopes in rooms
Jun 13, 2014, 7:03 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2006
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I'd hate to frisk people so a hefty tip goes to the TSA gal. Actually there are hundreds of jobs I wouldn't want to do, apparently all deserving tips for that reason!
Jun 14, 2014, 12:07 am
#32
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I've always assumed that the purpose of the cards with the housekeeper's name is to encourage them to take pride in their work and perhaps raise morale a bit.
Jun 14, 2014, 1:57 am
#33
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The whole tipping thing is just so confusing. I am actually seeing more and more instances where hotel or parking shuttle bus drivers are not tipped - even after helping people with their bags. In Taiwan, where tipping is not the norm, they are trying to get the tipping thing going at hotels.
I too keep my hotel rooms tidy - I actually clean up a little and return things to where they were when I check out. So, unless it is very high end hotels, I don't tip anymore. I think they should tip me for making their lives easy
I too keep my hotel rooms tidy - I actually clean up a little and return things to where they were when I check out. So, unless it is very high end hotels, I don't tip anymore. I think they should tip me for making their lives easy
Jun 17, 2014, 6:09 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 10
I always leave hotel junk mail (tip requests, bills etc.) in a pile on the desk when I leave. Anyway I believe you should only tip when the service was exceptional - and as most of my travel is business and my company doesn't refund tips or service charges exceptional really has to be exceptional.
Jun 17, 2014, 6:13 am
#35
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When I'm staying at a hotel in NAmerica I always leave a tip for the housekeeper, and scribble a "thank you" on the note pad where I leave the money. $1 a night is the norm. My only concern is that it is somehow shared with the night staff who do turndowns. These women (and occasionally men) have the toughest job in the hotel business, making beds (how often do you change the sheets?), cleaning washrooms, clearing away our messes (not that I consciously leave a mess)...and they earn the least money. Actually I would prefer to find an envelop.
Elsewhere in the world, there is a service charge added to the bill, which I assume is divided amongst the housekeeping staff, so I don't leave anything at these properties.
Let's face it, until the US adopts a living wage minimum wage, and we are willing to pay an extra couple of dollars a night to ensure the lowest paid staff get such a wage, then as with wait staff, it becomes the customer who must subsidize the employer by leaving tips for the poorest paid. Unfortunately, the government also "tips" by providing food stamps, medicaid and other support programs because companies like Macdonalds and Walmart won't pay a living wage...surely they are great Corporate Welfare Bums!)
Elsewhere in the world, there is a service charge added to the bill, which I assume is divided amongst the housekeeping staff, so I don't leave anything at these properties.
Let's face it, until the US adopts a living wage minimum wage, and we are willing to pay an extra couple of dollars a night to ensure the lowest paid staff get such a wage, then as with wait staff, it becomes the customer who must subsidize the employer by leaving tips for the poorest paid. Unfortunately, the government also "tips" by providing food stamps, medicaid and other support programs because companies like Macdonalds and Walmart won't pay a living wage...surely they are great Corporate Welfare Bums!)
Jun 17, 2014, 6:16 am
#36
Join Date: May 2010
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I've worked in two upscale hotels. In one, tips weren't tracked. In the other, all cash tips were meticulously tracked. It had nothing to do with the guest. Rather, tips were tracked to ensure that the employees were adhering to tax laws. Additionally, that data was collected and used during union labor negotiations.
I can only speak to where I worked...but, I agree that idea that tips are formally tracked is far-fetched.
First, as a general rule, the overwhelming majority of Housekeeping employees don't ever use computers. That fact means they aren't tracking guest tips.
Second, the people who are assigning rooms are usually managers or supervisors. Even if tips were tracked via guest profiles, there would be no incentive for those folks to give a high tipping repeat guest a better room than a stingy repeat guest.
I can only speak to where I worked...but, I agree that idea that tips are formally tracked is far-fetched.
First, as a general rule, the overwhelming majority of Housekeeping employees don't ever use computers. That fact means they aren't tracking guest tips.
Second, the people who are assigning rooms are usually managers or supervisors. Even if tips were tracked via guest profiles, there would be no incentive for those folks to give a high tipping repeat guest a better room than a stingy repeat guest.
This seems to infer if used in negotiations, that the more that is tipped, on average, at a hotel, then they can use that to "pay less" on an hourly basis. I would imagine those tracking were mainly for tax purposes, but the union negotiation, while logical, seems to imply that encouraging tipping by guests just inflates profits by hotels....perhaps in lieu of raising room rates....perhaps to just pad the bottom line...
Jun 17, 2014, 6:53 am
#37
Join Date: May 2006
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Let's face it, until the US adopts a living wage minimum wage, and we are willing to pay an extra couple of dollars a night to ensure the lowest paid staff get such a wage, then as with wait staff, it becomes the customer who must subsidize the employer by leaving tips for the poorest paid.
Jun 17, 2014, 10:59 am
#38
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Jun 17, 2014, 11:13 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
No problem
Nothing wrong with it. It clearly identifies the tip and there is no obligation. I have had housekeepers ask me if the money left was intended for them. Especially in foreign countries, employees are given very strict instructions on removing items, even if it clearly is left out for them.
Jun 17, 2014, 11:20 am
#40
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Get With It
After reading the boards, I wonder what is wrong with some people. Being a housekeeper is not an easy job. Leaving a dollar or two sure adds to a basic wage that is fully earned. It seems the people who worry about tipping a maid, also have a problem with a waiter. Think about it, if higher wages were paid the cost of the room would be more. As far as not being reimbursed are you really going to miss a dollar a day (or more if you are feeling generous) to someone who really deserves it. Believe me after seeing what is expected and accomplished by a maid, I have no qualms about sharing a dollar or two. If your really concerned make it up by taking the soap and shampoo with you. With a tip is just might be replaced everyday, needed or not.
Jun 17, 2014, 11:29 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
I've worked in two upscale hotels. In one, tips weren't tracked. In the other, all cash tips were meticulously tracked. It had nothing to do with the guest. Rather, tips were tracked to ensure that the employees were adhering to tax laws. Additionally, that data was collected and used during union labor negotiations.
Jun 17, 2014, 11:34 am
#42
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Two completely different animals. The minimum wage for waitstaff is set much lower than other hourly workers due to the expectation of tips. When housekeeping starts earning two bucks plus change per hour, then I'll feel obligated to tip.
Jun 17, 2014, 5:01 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2005
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There was a tip envelope in my room when I was on a Navigator of the Seas cruise a few months back. The name of the person and room number were on it. I assumed it was because they might not be the person working when the envelope is picked up, and that insures the proper attendant is given the tip.
I always leave a tip on the pillow with a thank you note - every day I'm there. That usually insures a little better treatment. Plus, I know shifts change and people don't work every day I'm there, so that insures the right person is tipped, not just the one working the last day I'm there. A couple of bucks here and there are expected expenses for us. For Housekeeping staff, it may mean better groceries or a fuller gas tank. I don't mind.
I always leave a tip on the pillow with a thank you note - every day I'm there. That usually insures a little better treatment. Plus, I know shifts change and people don't work every day I'm there, so that insures the right person is tipped, not just the one working the last day I'm there. A couple of bucks here and there are expected expenses for us. For Housekeeping staff, it may mean better groceries or a fuller gas tank. I don't mind.
Jun 17, 2014, 5:26 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 42
There was a tip envelope in my room when I was on a Navigator of the Seas cruise a few months back. The name of the person and room number were on it. I assumed it was because they might not be the person working when the envelope is picked up, and that insures the proper attendant is given the tip.
I always leave a tip on the pillow with a thank you note - every day I'm there. That usually insures a little better treatment. Plus, I know shifts change and people don't work every day I'm there, so that insures the right person is tipped, not just the one working the last day I'm there. A couple of bucks here and there are expected expenses for us. For Housekeeping staff, it may mean better groceries or a fuller gas tank. I don't mind.
I always leave a tip on the pillow with a thank you note - every day I'm there. That usually insures a little better treatment. Plus, I know shifts change and people don't work every day I'm there, so that insures the right person is tipped, not just the one working the last day I'm there. A couple of bucks here and there are expected expenses for us. For Housekeeping staff, it may mean better groceries or a fuller gas tank. I don't mind.
+1