'Tip' me over the edge

[Morticia]

First off, my housekeeper works 4 jobs. I don't think that's enough work because I keep hearing about the debt being racked up ($2000 for an ER visit that wasn't covered, as an example). But, that's not something I can help with.
Between here and the early morning job, I'd say that's about an 8 hour shift at an average of $13/hour. There are a couple of afternoon jobs as well. Maybe another 4-6 hours. Generally working 5-7 days/week.
So, not a slacker by any means. Just one of those people from whom money runs away. (I have a child like this so I know it happens no matter what you do to raise them differently!)
Now, to the point. (Yes, I do have one!)
If you are one of those lucky people who get your entire vacation paid for because you are also working at the same time, it wouldn't kill you to leave a tip for the person who cleaned up your mess everyday.
The $500 room was paid for. All of your meals were covered. Your car was covered. Your flight was covered. And it was too much 'extra' to give the housekeeper $5?
Yes, I know tipping isn't for everyone, but I could have told you from the get go there would be no tip from this quarter. It's a certain kind of person who does this.

 

[Tom]

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit. It's not that I suddenly became aware of the work involved, rather I began to focus on who did the work. For most travelers, domestic and international, housekeeping people are essentially invisible: It never occurs to tip the invisible person and the card tip left out seems more of a management ploy to avoid paying wages. I'm not excusing, just explaining. I agree with you.
That said, we don't usually get tippers and I explain if asked that it isn't necessary and I make up for it in paying the house keeper an extra $5 on top of hours worked every day. I value her, she isn't invisible.
I only solicited a tip one time: a Southern California surgeon with family, the 9-year old wet the bed -- mattress protected, but everything else had to be washed right in middle of day. Doc told me in private so as not to embarrass kid; when he returned I told him in private it was all taken care of and that this was a rare opportunity to tip the innkeeping staff. Did he tip? Of course not. Probably used to staff cleaning up after him.

 

[gillumhouse]

I find the the people who give the most are USUALLY the ones who have the least. I know it is a generalization, but they seem to be the ones who are most aware of those who struggle.
I was bery pleased to discover when I was invited to join the "breakfast club" (a group of people here who have mostly known each other since they were in diapers and a lot of retired teachers in the group) each give a dollaror 2 to one lady each Tuesday morning on the sly. The waitress knows what is going one but plays dumb. They all appreciate the fact that she is busdting butt to barely make a living so when it gets up to about $100 or so, a card is purchased and we all sign it, and the money is put into the card. Last time there was $120 and she got it the day she was buying a car - new to her - and she said she got a deal for only $1800. This is in addition to the tip each breakfast. Oh, we also buss the table for her as we go to pay our bills.
The doctors, lawyers, business people (owners) rarely if ever leave even a $5 tip.

 

[Arks]

If you are one of those lucky people who get your entire vacation paid for because you are also working at the same time, it wouldn't kill you to leave a tip for the person who cleaned up your mess everyday.

It's like the ones traveling on the state. They get 85% of my rate paid for by their employer, and I knock off 10% for them, for some reason, but unless I'll knock off that last 5% (I won't), they'll stay in the flea bag motel on the other side of town rather than pay a few dollars out of their own pocket to stay with me.

 

[notAgrandma]

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit. It's not that I suddenly became aware of the work involved, rather I began to focus on who did the work. For most travelers, domestic and international, housekeeping people are essentially invisible: It never occurs to tip the invisible person and the card tip left out seems more of a management ploy to avoid paying wages. I'm not excusing, just explaining. I agree with you.
That said, we don't usually get tippers and I explain if asked that it isn't necessary and I make up for it in paying the house keeper an extra $5 on top of hours worked every day. I value her, she isn't invisible.
I only solicited a tip one time: a Southern California surgeon with family, the 9-year old wet the bed -- mattress protected, but everything else had to be washed right in middle of day. Doc told me in private so as not to embarrass kid; when he returned I told him in private it was all taken care of and that this was a rare opportunity to tip the innkeeping staff. Did he tip? Of course not. Probably used to staff cleaning up after him..

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit.

My mother-in-law used to work on a hotel cleaning staff. I knew how much $5 meant to her & her coworkers, so I've always left at least $5. I'm also one of those rare people who puts up the DND sign to save both the hotel folks and innkeepers from cleaning my room.
When we started staying at B&Bs 18 years ago, I wasn't sure how to thank the innkeepers bc a monetary tip seemed a bit odd. So we've always sent floral arrangements and a nice card as a "thank you". The innkeepers always send us a nice note letting us know we brightened their day. I'll never forget one inn 10 years ago who told me that my gift was very timely as they'd struggled with some guests who seemed displeased about their stay.

 

[Generic]

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit. It's not that I suddenly became aware of the work involved, rather I began to focus on who did the work. For most travelers, domestic and international, housekeeping people are essentially invisible: It never occurs to tip the invisible person and the card tip left out seems more of a management ploy to avoid paying wages. I'm not excusing, just explaining. I agree with you.
That said, we don't usually get tippers and I explain if asked that it isn't necessary and I make up for it in paying the house keeper an extra $5 on top of hours worked every day. I value her, she isn't invisible.
I only solicited a tip one time: a Southern California surgeon with family, the 9-year old wet the bed -- mattress protected, but everything else had to be washed right in middle of day. Doc told me in private so as not to embarrass kid; when he returned I told him in private it was all taken care of and that this was a rare opportunity to tip the innkeeping staff. Did he tip? Of course not. Probably used to staff cleaning up after him..

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit.

My mother-in-law used to work on a hotel cleaning staff. I knew how much $5 meant to her & her coworkers, so I've always left at least $5. I'm also one of those rare people who puts up the DND sign to save both the hotel folks and innkeepers from cleaning my room.
When we started staying at B&Bs 18 years ago, I wasn't sure how to thank the innkeepers bc a monetary tip seemed a bit odd. So we've always sent floral arrangements and a nice card as a "thank you". The innkeepers always send us a nice note letting us know we brightened their day. I'll never forget one inn 10 years ago who told me that my gift was very timely as they'd struggled with some guests who seemed displeased about their stay.
.

The DnD sign, as you know, doesn't really save an innkeeper from work, it just makes it pile up to longer work the next day. I'd rather give the guest the extra of a bed that's main, a garbage bin that is empty and straighten up then to have it piled on the next day. Honestly.
We had an Asian guest who insisted that we don't go into the room to straighten up. The room was a fright when we finally got in. Had we been in there each day to tidy, it would have been a 15 minute job.
And I always leave the staff something. Of course, the best guests do leave nice tips as well.

 

[Anon Inn]

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit. It's not that I suddenly became aware of the work involved, rather I began to focus on who did the work. For most travelers, domestic and international, housekeeping people are essentially invisible: It never occurs to tip the invisible person and the card tip left out seems more of a management ploy to avoid paying wages. I'm not excusing, just explaining. I agree with you.
That said, we don't usually get tippers and I explain if asked that it isn't necessary and I make up for it in paying the house keeper an extra $5 on top of hours worked every day. I value her, she isn't invisible.
I only solicited a tip one time: a Southern California surgeon with family, the 9-year old wet the bed -- mattress protected, but everything else had to be washed right in middle of day. Doc told me in private so as not to embarrass kid; when he returned I told him in private it was all taken care of and that this was a rare opportunity to tip the innkeeping staff. Did he tip? Of course not. Probably used to staff cleaning up after him..

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit.

My mother-in-law used to work on a hotel cleaning staff. I knew how much $5 meant to her & her coworkers, so I've always left at least $5. I'm also one of those rare people who puts up the DND sign to save both the hotel folks and innkeepers from cleaning my room.
When we started staying at B&Bs 18 years ago, I wasn't sure how to thank the innkeepers bc a monetary tip seemed a bit odd. So we've always sent floral arrangements and a nice card as a "thank you". The innkeepers always send us a nice note letting us know we brightened their day. I'll never forget one inn 10 years ago who told me that my gift was very timely as they'd struggled with some guests who seemed displeased about their stay.
.

I had a High Maint lady a couple of years ago who stayed with her husband twice during our season. The kind who announces "I will have..."
First stay nada. Second stay she asked if I would be offended by a tip! Big grin...of course not. They left a nice tip on second departure. You never can tell.
I used to tip on departure. But due to different staff members different days in some places, now its a daily tip, with a note if I'd like extra towels or amenity of some kind.

 

[gillumhouse]

The only sign I have in my house is a small tent card on the mantle in the best room next to the gumball machine bank. It says, ALL coins in the gumball machine go to the Lord's Pantry Food Bank. The last 3 guests have left money next to the gumball machine.

 

[notAgrandma]

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit. It's not that I suddenly became aware of the work involved, rather I began to focus on who did the work. For most travelers, domestic and international, housekeeping people are essentially invisible: It never occurs to tip the invisible person and the card tip left out seems more of a management ploy to avoid paying wages. I'm not excusing, just explaining. I agree with you.
That said, we don't usually get tippers and I explain if asked that it isn't necessary and I make up for it in paying the house keeper an extra $5 on top of hours worked every day. I value her, she isn't invisible.
I only solicited a tip one time: a Southern California surgeon with family, the 9-year old wet the bed -- mattress protected, but everything else had to be washed right in middle of day. Doc told me in private so as not to embarrass kid; when he returned I told him in private it was all taken care of and that this was a rare opportunity to tip the innkeeping staff. Did he tip? Of course not. Probably used to staff cleaning up after him..

I never thought about this until I began running B&B 9 years ago -- now I always leave $5 or $10 at any inn or motel I visit.

My mother-in-law used to work on a hotel cleaning staff. I knew how much $5 meant to her & her coworkers, so I've always left at least $5. I'm also one of those rare people who puts up the DND sign to save both the hotel folks and innkeepers from cleaning my room.
When we started staying at B&Bs 18 years ago, I wasn't sure how to thank the innkeepers bc a monetary tip seemed a bit odd. So we've always sent floral arrangements and a nice card as a "thank you". The innkeepers always send us a nice note letting us know we brightened their day. I'll never forget one inn 10 years ago who told me that my gift was very timely as they'd struggled with some guests who seemed displeased about their stay.
.

The DnD sign, as you know, doesn't really save an innkeeper from work, it just makes it pile up to longer work the next day. I'd rather give the guest the extra of a bed that's main, a garbage bin that is empty and straighten up then to have it piled on the next day. Honestly.
We had an Asian guest who insisted that we don't go into the room to straighten up. The room was a fright when we finally got in. Had we been in there each day to tidy, it would have been a 15 minute job.
And I always leave the staff something. Of course, the best guests do leave nice tips as well.
.

The DnD sign, as you know, doesn't really save an innkeeper from work, it just makes it pile up to longer work the next day. I'd rather give the guest the extra of a bed that's main, a garbage bin that is empty and straighten up then to have it piled on the next day. Honestly.

As you can imagine, I do not leave my room a fright. We don't fill our garbage cans with stinky stuff as we rarely bring leftovers back to our accommodations whilst on vacation. If we have trash or need fresh towels after several days, we remove the DND and mention it to housekeeping. I'd rather that someone not come in and mess up the way I've arranged the blankets on the bed or attempt to vacuum around my belongings.

 

[Lee2014]

You want tips? Go to the store and buy a package of small thank you cards (about $5-$10) and hand write a note inside thanking them for staying at your place and wishing them a safe trip home. (10 minutes) That will bring in $10 to $20 a room. Keep a good supply on hand ready to go in the room since the cards will sometimes go home with them but the envelopes stay with a nice tip inside.
Here's what mine says, "We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us here at "Our Inn". Have a safe trip back home! So-and-so for the housekeeping staff" On the other side of the inside of the card is a post-it with this written. "Comments on how we can better serve our guests" The post-it saves the card to be reused for the next guests.

 

[Morticia]

You want tips? Go to the store and buy a package of small thank you cards (about $5-$10) and hand write a note inside thanking them for staying at your place and wishing them a safe trip home. (10 minutes) That will bring in $10 to $20 a room. Keep a good supply on hand ready to go in the room since the cards will sometimes go home with them but the envelopes stay with a nice tip inside.
Here's what mine says, "We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us here at "Our Inn". Have a safe trip back home! So-and-so for the housekeeping staff" On the other side of the inside of the card is a post-it with this written. "Comments on how we can better serve our guests" The post-it saves the card to be reused for the next guests..

We have a lovely line drawing of the inn on a card that thanks the guest for staying with us, wishes them a joyous vacation, asks them to let us know if anything needs our attention and, yes, mentions the housekeeper.
That card gets replaced about 10 times every week. Guests love the drawing. There is not $100-$200 left in place of the card.
It was more this person who got an entire 4 day trip paid for and couldn't be bothered to leave $5 for the housekeeper that got me. The card was gone! The envelope it was in was left behind empty.

 

[Arks]

You want tips? Go to the store and buy a package of small thank you cards (about $5-$10) and hand write a note inside thanking them for staying at your place and wishing them a safe trip home. (10 minutes) That will bring in $10 to $20 a room. Keep a good supply on hand ready to go in the room since the cards will sometimes go home with them but the envelopes stay with a nice tip inside.
Here's what mine says, "We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us here at "Our Inn". Have a safe trip back home! So-and-so for the housekeeping staff" On the other side of the inside of the card is a post-it with this written. "Comments on how we can better serve our guests" The post-it saves the card to be reused for the next guests..

...hand write a note inside thanking them...

Yes! A senator told me once that if you want his attention, write him a letter by hand. He gets lots of computer printed letters and emails every day, and they have some impact, but he doesn't read them all. He said he does read the hand-written ones, if they're legible!