Originally Posted by
tuapekastar
...I checked in to a hotel in Anchorage and discovered an envelope beside my bed with a typed message exhorting me to put money in it for the housekeeping staff "because they do a great job" or something like that.
I found that quite offensive... Is tipping of housekeeping staff a common practice?
A direct appeal for housekeeping tips, such as you describe, is vulgar and indiscreet. I wouldn't have left anything either. Anchorage lodging is expensive enough.
I rarely tip housekeeping, and never for one-night stays. For multi-night stays I might leave $5 or $10 if the room was really, truly well-maintained, or if I've created a situation for the maid. One night at Bellagio in Vegas a few years ago my son threw up in his bed and housekeeping was rousted to our room at 200am. I tipped both responders $20 on the spot.
Speaking of direct appeals, the guy who delivers my Wall Street Journal stuck a Christmas card in the plastic sack a couple of weeks ago, and it contained his business card with a mailing address. The nature of the "holiday greeting" was crystal clear. I didn't like it, but I sent him $10 because I don't want my paper on the roof.
