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No Vested Interest

(5,300 posts)

70. Tipping chambermaids is not customary in the US. In Europe, maybe, but

Tue Sep 16, 2014, 02:19 AM

Sep 2014

not in the US.

I've seen cards in rooms - My name is Zelda (example).
Trouble is, Zelda may not be tidying your room every day - she may be off, and Rosa may be there. When you leave a tip rather than giving it directly to the individual, you can't be sure the person you want to get the tip will indeed get it.

Secondly, I don't carry much cash, and what I do have I want to be with me going out into the world. In restaurants, I use a credit card & add on the tip, same thing at the hairdresser, etc.

Many travelers have experience with cruises, where tips are now charged per diem, usually $11 or $12/day charged to your bill. That covers all staff - waiters for 3 meals/day, room maids, bartenders, and all others. If you break that down per staff member, it's not very much, and likely many travelers take their tipping cues from that experience.

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Marriott hotels launch envelope campaign to get guests in the habit of tipping maids [View all] TexasTowelie Sep 2014 OP

I always leave a tip�. dhill926 Sep 2014 #1

I think it is a good idea also, I think the maids may agree...I have no idea what they are paid, but Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author TexasTowelie Sep 2014 #9

Me, too customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #54

Yeah, I like to leave a tip, too. These people work HARD!!! calimary Sep 2014 #63

it,s a very hard job. Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 #109

same here still_one Sep 2014 #126

I think maids pretty much top out at minimum wage already. LiberalAndProud Sep 2014 #2

I agree. Every hotel should at least have an envelope labelled FOR MAID, nothing else needed. Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #6

Agreed, I'm removing it. nt TexasTowelie Sep 2014 #13

Shriver has a very one-percentric approach to women's empowerment elehhhhna Sep 2014 #3

+1 truebluegreen Sep 2014 #86

Plenty of hotels do this already. A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #5

I sincerely hope that I'm wrong and Marriott does not use it as an excuse. TexasTowelie Sep 2014 #8

I agree with you left is right Sep 2014 #72

Exactly..PAY YOUR MAIDS a living wage SoCalDem Sep 2014 #76

Oh, I love not having to make a bed every day. However, I tip when I leave. CTyankee Sep 2014 #150

+1 nt MADem Sep 2014 #66

How about paying a living wage instead of expecting customers to do it for you? Spider Jerusalem Sep 2014 #7

DING, winner. I love how they launch the campaign because they wont pay a decent wage NightWatcher Sep 2014 #12

Beg to differ A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #15

It's difficult to find them near major airports Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #56

Either way, the customer is paying FrodosPet Sep 2014 #16

YES. All companies should pay a living wage and not merrily Sep 2014 #103

Your idyllic notion of fairness is what the $15 minimum wage issue is all about, to unchain workers Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #18

couldn't agree more... handmade34 Sep 2014 #19

I know what you are saying, tips could be better in the long run yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #45

That's a shitty justification for not paying a living wage, honestly Spider Jerusalem Sep 2014 #59

They could pay a higher wage with what they spent on the envelopes rocktivity Sep 2014 #10

Yeah.....cause $.03 per room per day is a hefty raise! n/t A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #11

Plus what they paid the printer, designer, distrubutor rocktivity Sep 2014 #17

Yeah, and when you add all that up and buy them in the quantities they're buying them.... A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #20

Don't lick them! FrodosPet Sep 2014 #31

Charge more and pay more FrodosPet Sep 2014 #14

And what will all the hotels across the street do..they will offer the lower price. Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #21

OK make it a room tax that EVERY hotel must charge FrodosPet Sep 2014 #23

Increase the minimum wage, it could be $15 base with higher minimums for other more skilled Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #26

Oh how funny yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #48

If many travelers don't understand that tipping is customary, it isn't. Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #22

DING DING DING! Gormy Cuss, you're our grand prize winners! rocktivity Sep 2014 #24

I have "chambermaids" in my family Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #27

I pay to insure prompt service... Historic NY Sep 2014 #60

I really wish that when you check in they give you the option of charging a daily tip for the maid Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #25

The only workable solution is a much higher minimum wage...there is no other. Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #29

Nope, that's where I draw the tipping line. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #28

If you were being reimbursed for leaving a tip, you would not be leaving a tip, your employer would. Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #30

I am only there at my employer's behest. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #32

Also note, for pleasure travel, I am under my own policies. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #33

If your employer reimburses you for other tips, then why not a 10% hotel house staff tip? Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #34

That's the policy. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #35

"...my employer stiffs maid staff." LOL! cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #39

I hear you cherokeeprogressive Skittles Sep 2014 #47

When I am on business travel, it is my employer, not me. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #50

well I disagree Skittles Sep 2014 #58

I can't imagine checking out of a clean hotel room and NOT leaving a tip. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #89

I cannot and will not be expected to go to additional expense at my employer's behest. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #51

You should call the hotel and tell them not to clean your room before you get there ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2014 #53

No. That is the HOTEL's entire business model JimDandy Sep 2014 #61

feel free to treat tipping is solely discretionary CreekDog Sep 2014 #145

I cleaned hotel rooms to put myself through college. JimDandy Sep 2014 #154

and you're going to tip them until they get one, correct? CreekDog Sep 2014 #158

They clean the room for my employer, not for me. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #83

here's the thing, leaving even a dollar or two would be an acknowledgment that the maids are KittyWampus Sep 2014 #91

It's bullshit. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #111

we enjoy watching you begrudge people $1 or $2 per day to clean up after you CreekDog Sep 2014 #146

I've heard people say that it's not customary to tip cabbies either. Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #151

They clean the room for you. morningfog Sep 2014 #127

he's afraid to cheat his employer by not letting the maids clean his room during his stays CreekDog Sep 2014 #160

Bollocks. A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #67

Your questions have obvious answers for this poster. stillwaiting Sep 2014 #87

This message was self-deleted by its author A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #68

How cheap. former9thward Sep 2014 #69

Get a business card: My cheapskate employer is paying the tip; adjust service accordingly. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #98

A clean room, clean towels, etc. is the business model of a hotel. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #118

and it is clean when you arrive, and you can pick up clean towels from the front desk CreekDog Sep 2014 #161

I'm rarely in a hotel room more than a single night when traveling for business. eom MohRokTah Sep 2014 #163

Put the tip in your travel claim CreekDog Sep 2014 #144

you haven't told us why you don't refuse maid service during your work trips CreekDog Sep 2014 #159

Because that is their job. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #164

And the truth finally comes out. It's got jack shit to do with your employer's imaginary policy. morningfog Sep 2014 #166

So on your own dime, housekeeping is worth $10 per day on a $100 motel room Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #124

I can honestly say Skittles Sep 2014 #46

When I am on business travel, it is my employers tipping, not me. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #49

I disagree Skittles Sep 2014 #57

When I travel, the maids are performing a service for my employer, not for me. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #82

A kind person who appreciates the work of others would leave a few dollars of their own. KittyWampus Sep 2014 #92

No, I refuse to expend any of my own funds on business trips. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #94

So, if you should have explosive diarrhea, and leave a nice mess splattered Sheldon Cooper Sep 2014 #104

his answer is likely.... A HERETIC I AM Sep 2014 #119

...... smokey nj Sep 2014 #123

. reflection Sep 2014 #121

Do you get paid while traveling for business or do provide that service for free? cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #99

I get paid for working. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #100

I guess the biggest difference between you and me is that I would NEVER admit in public... cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #105

No kidding...is a few bucks gonna kill his personal budget? likesmountains 52 Sep 2014 #107

I am allowed one drink with dinner. eom MohRokTah Sep 2014 #110

Well you sure as hell wouldn't be having that drink with me. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #115

Only during business travel. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #116

then claim the tip on your travel claim CreekDog Sep 2014 #147

Yes, because policy explicity spells out how much of a tip I can give to taxis and in restaurants. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #155

I travel on business, tip hotel maids, and it never even occurred to me MadrasT Sep 2014 #96

THANK YOU Skittles Sep 2014 #122

that's what I was thinking, I'm money ahead on travel because the company pays for meals wellstone dem Sep 2014 #130

That's shitty, on your part. LexVegas Sep 2014 #141

Oh well. When traveling for pleasure, I do tip maids. eom MohRokTah Sep 2014 #142

Pay them a living wage. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #36

I tip the maids Stargazer09 Sep 2014 #37

you know what d_r Sep 2014 #38

Who's next? Tip a teacher if Jr gets an A? Tip a nurse if you get well? NightWatcher Sep 2014 #40

Nurses and teachers customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #55

Glassdoor.com reports Marriott housekeeping makes an average of $8.32 an hour. . . Journeyman Sep 2014 #41

Always tip! Laffy Kat Sep 2014 #42

Well, you know what I say? TexasTowelie Sep 2014 #43

True, but my God they stink of bleach. Laffy Kat Sep 2014 #52

I usually bring a microfiber towel whistler162 Sep 2014 #75

I've always left a tip Skittles Sep 2014 #44

Well, I won't be going to Marriotts. I already pay an arm and a leg as it is 951-Riverside Sep 2014 #62

Your last line got it right Prophet 451 Sep 2014 #64

I spent my high school years as a chambermaid laundry_queen Sep 2014 #65

Tipping chambermaids is not customary in the US. In Europe, maybe, but No Vested Interest Sep 2014 #70

I am very aware that the people who clean my room when I stay in a hotel SheilaT Sep 2014 #71

How about a living wage instead? Trillo Sep 2014 #73

What about paying the maids a living wage so that tips aren't needed Chisox08 Sep 2014 #74

I usually leave $3 or $4 a day for the maid. badtoworse Sep 2014 #77

I don't tip motel maids. What they charge to spend a night for a little room, B Calm Sep 2014 #78

That's pretty self-serving. badtoworse Sep 2014 #79

I want them to organize and join a labor union. Tipping them B Calm Sep 2014 #80

Are you out there organizing? badtoworse Sep 2014 #81

No, I'm not a hotel maid! B Calm Sep 2014 #84

What an odd cause... Oktober Sep 2014 #85

It's like Lovey Howell lecturing the hoi polloi on largesse. Shameless. nt Romulox Sep 2014 #88

BS. Marriott should pay their workers a living wage and not just help them beg. n/t FSogol Sep 2014 #90

Tip heavily until we can get them living wages. n/t Orsino Sep 2014 #93

I think it's about time employers pay their employees - TBF Sep 2014 #95

We should do away with ALL tipping. cbdo2007 Sep 2014 #97

How about Marriott pay living wages. dilby Sep 2014 #101

They are not going to pay them less than upaloopa Sep 2014 #102

I tip regularly, and a few times a year do a very large tip. Not Me Sep 2014 #106

good idea Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 #108

I agree! tazkcmo Sep 2014 #112

I always tip because I'm a messy guest nt TeamPooka Sep 2014 #113

A tipping society is an excuse for employers not pay people for work done tenderfoot Sep 2014 #114

Don't get me started on tip jars MohRokTah Sep 2014 #117

I NEVER put money in the tip jar. I put it in servers' HANDS. MY gratuity is PERSONAL and heartfelt. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #132

I tip wait staff, bartenders, cabbies, even maids when traveling for pleasure and not business. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #133

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #134

So are employers that pay wait staff peanuts! tenderfoot Sep 2014 #136

+1 This guy is a piece of work. badtoworse Sep 2014 #138

I also tip cash only TexasMommaWithAHat Sep 2014 #139

This post is an excuse for not leaving an acceptable GRATUITY for services provided. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2014 #131

I leave 20% because I know they're paid for s*** in the first place. tenderfoot Sep 2014 #135

The more you sout off, the more I'm convinced I should stop tipping altogether. eom MohRokTah Sep 2014 #137

by all means, if it makes you to feel better to punish low paid employees, then that's what you do CreekDog Sep 2014 #149

Hillary wants her avatar back CreekDog Sep 2014 #153

So you're punishing cherokeeprogressive by taking money out of a hard-working bullwinkle428 Sep 2014 #156

An old boss told me something a long time ago Algernon Moncrieff Sep 2014 #120

Penny Pritzker of Hyatt holds what position? edgineered Sep 2014 #125

We stay at Marriotts almost exclusively, because of its rewards program, and we customarily phylny Sep 2014 #128

I pile up the towels TexasMommaWithAHat Sep 2014 #140

There Are People RobinA Sep 2014 #143

Well, Coke can left on the end table TexasMommaWithAHat Sep 2014 #165

I hang up all of the used towels over the shower curtain rod. I had a bullwinkle428 Sep 2014 #157

Great idea atreides1 Sep 2014 #129

Tipping is a tax on generosity. Donald Ian Rankin Sep 2014 #148

Why not cut the pretense and just turn the housekeepers into contractors? rocktivity Sep 2014 #152

Pay the maids at least $15 an hour and... steve2470 Sep 2014 #162