I tip. Someone had to do the work to bring the item to me. They usually don't get paid well.

For an absent shower cap, no. For a tube of toothpaste, no. Extra towels, bucket of ice, pillow-exchange, definitely a tip.

Then you must also tip at McD's.

I do. Doesn't everyone? I can never find the tip jar though.

I always tip.

Yes.

1. Tips aren't required. Ever.

2. Many people use rationalizations so that they can feel good about not tipping. "The hotel should pay their people better."

3. But that's not how it works in the US. Maybe could be done better, but it isn't.

4. I tip whether the item is "included" or not. The employee is still making the same minimum wage and it's the employee not the property who suffers for the property's service failure.

Ever been to a convention/trade show as an attendee or exhibitor ? You know those who work at registration, room monitors, directional, lead retrievals, etc are at temps ? All of those temps don't pay good and get the minimum wage, but then I have never seen any tips from anyone !

If you are an exhibitor, you would definately know what lead retrieval is. When I had that position in a show, I walked 2 miles back and fourth just because an exhibitor need an extra row of paper for his lead machine, do I ever get tip for that ? NEVER. Most of the time I even got yelled at because I didn't walk fast enough that the exhibitor lost leads because of me. Other than we never got any tips, the worst part is at least the maids in the hotel still get paid by a salary, we as a temp only got paid only where there is a show.

Housekeeping in a hotel or waiter/waitress certainly not the only industries get the minimum wage, think about that next time when you go to a convention/trade show as well ! 99% of conventions use temps for the majority of staff, as no organizations would use 100+ of their own employees to travel with them.

It's been said before, but the rate an employer pays his/her operatives is none of my concern, I am not a party to that contract and the terms of that contract do not concern me. The operatives contractual terms are a matter for the employer and the operative, not the customer.

If someone is just 'doing their job' there is no never any reason or need to tip.

However if someone gives truly exceptional service a small tip may be appropriate, but it is strictly a voluntary gesture from the customer.

I experience this at every self-service breakfasts in USA 4* hotels, where cafe, orange juice, or syrup is only available by the staff. I don't care to tip them anyway, but I think tipping automatically is for the birds.

And how can I be sure the staff is underpaid? Last time in LA the free shuttle bus driver said he is a freelance financial consultant, so maybe he can earn more than I do.

Don't take advantage of yourself.

I would never try to get compensation for something as trivial as missing towels, but certainly would not tip for the hotel having made a trivial mistake.

No way. I've checked in at motels and on occasion have found there are no towels, washcloths, bath mats, etc and I've NEVER tipped as they should have been there in the first place.

I would not tip - I would have gone down to reception and collected them myself.

+1

Go down and get it yourself, and tell them of their "mistake".

If hotels can't afford to have staff who work properly, then either they should make it entirely self-serve and/or reduce prices accordingly.