Tipping?

[Bubbleboy]

I was wondering what sort of tip everyone leaves for houskeeping given the fact that they clean our "home" once every four days?

[KNWVIKING]

We'll leave $5.00 if they do a very good job. On occasion we knew they had been there,but probably for just 5 minutes to make the bed,grab old towels and drop new ones- they got zippo ! Last trip to VB, maids did an excellant job, even left extra towels on the bed in the shape of Mickey,probably the best house cleaning we've ever had at any DVC resort. They got $10.00.

[MaryJ]

What if you're only there long enough for trash and towel and not going to get a full cleaning? That will be the case for us in July because we are changing resorts after five days.

[DebbieB]

I leave $5 on trash & towel day. On our checkout day, the maid knocked on the door around 9:30 despite my handwritten "do not disturb" sign on the door (no real sign provided). I pointed to the sign and told her we would not be leaving until 11:00. I was ticked, didn't leave anything. When we left at 11:00, she was right there.

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Bubbleboy
I was wondering what sort of tip everyone leaves for houskeeping given the fact that they clean our "home" once every four days?
They don't clean "once every four days." For stays under 8 nights, you just get Trash & Towel service on day 4. Only if you stay more than 8 nights, you get a full cleaning on day 4 and Trash & Towel service on day 8. The cycle repeats at day 12. But I assume that the vast majority of stays by DVC members are less than 8 nights, so most DVC members get either a single Trash & Towel service, or no service at all during their stay.

Of course there is housekeeping involved with every stay. After all, you always check into a fully cleaned "villa."
Originally posted by DebbieB
I leave $5 on trash & towel day.
Considering that Trash & Towel is exactly what it sounds like, that seems very generous. I would imagine that most DVC members leave no tip on Trash & Towel day.

Our stays are generally six nights or less. We leave a tip when we check out, essentially as thanks for having the room clean and attractive when we checked in. But I imagine most DVC members don't do this either.

In the past, there have been participants on this board who have insisted on tipping based on the number of days. That makes no sense to me, given that housekeeping does not provide daily services (except for those who pay for the optional service).

Bottom line: I don't think there's any obligation or expectation to tip at a "home away from home" resort where you don't get housekeeping service during your stay. But if you leave a $5 bill when you check out, I'm sure the housekeepers would appreciate it.

[DeeP]

We gave the housekeeper $3.00 on the trash and towel day for 2 people last week and she was thrilled. I always tip on the full cleaning day $8.00-10.00 and $3.00 on trash and towel day and the housekeepers are so happy to get the tip I suspect a lot of members do not tip them at all. The housekeeper last week brought us in about 8 packs of coffee and 6 Mickey shampoos and soaps and a stack of clean towels after we gave her the tip and we did not even ask for anything.

[WOW]

We always tip $5.00 for Trash and Towel and $20.00 at the end of an 8 night trip. They are always very appreciative and I feel good about it.

[PKS44]

I am sure tipping is always appreciated-heck I don't get tipped at work but I wouldn't be upset if people insisted on giving me extra money...but for the record at Walt Disney World-Housekeeping is NOT listed as a tipped position. Bellhops, valets, waitstaff- these are the jobs where tipping is encouraged.
Paul

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
We'll leave $5.00 if they do a very good job. On occasion we knew they had been there,but probably for just 5 minutes to make the bed,grab old towels and drop new ones- they got zippo !

Just curious. How do you tip them based on the job that they did? We leave the room, we come back, the job is done...either well, or not so well. We have no idea which housekeeper did it and wouldn't know who to tip. If we leave $$$ for them before we go we don't know if they are going to do a good job or not. (or will they do a better job because you left them $$?)
We have been burned by this before....left $$ and then come home to a room that wasn't very clean.

[Kick it up a notch!]

I work in the restaurant business and have to say that I encourage tipping. That being said, I never understood the concept of tipping housekeeping, do you tip the dishwasher in a restaurant because he made your plates clean? Don't get me wrong tipping is good but you need to draw the line somewhere. I have read on these boards that housekeeping makes animals out of towels and leaves the kids stuffed animals doing some crazy stuff. That is pretty cool and deserves a tip for the effort, but just tipping housekeeping because it it the thing to do just doesn't make sense to me.

[PamOKW]

do you tip the dishwasher in a restaurant because he made your plates clean?

With that reasoning, why do we tip the waiter just because he brings out the plates?

Tipping housekeeping in hotels is a standard practice. However, more people don't tip a maid than wouldn't tip a waiter....maybe because they don't always see the maid.

With DVC it seems to be up to the individual how much or whether to tip at all. I try to give a fair (maybe even generous) tip that varies based on the size of the unit. I used to tip at the end of the stay but now I'll tip on the T&T day as well. My theory, right or wrong, is that if the housekeepers do not get at least some tips at DVC resorts, the better ones will want to work at the resorts where they do get tipped. I also think a tip is in order when they bring something you request....more coffee mugs, missing items, etc.

[Pa@okw95]

Tip for what!! They leave a fresh set of towels and take the old ones out. That is it. The garbage is taken out by us everyday. The beds are made by us everyday. They are not there 5 minutes. Give me a break. I would tip if they cleaned and did normal maid work but the change the towels, forget it.

[PKS44]

Our dues pay the housekeeping salaries. Disney is not shy about recommending tipping---they do at restaurants, even buffets, and for valets, but Disney does not suggest tipping housekeeping...there are rumors- I cannot substantiate them, that housekeeping is not even supposed to keep any tips, but to turn them into management to pool for all housekeepers for some other purpose....Based on all of this- we do not tip housekeeping AT Disney....at other hotels the wage structure is such that tipping is encouraged and allowed and we tip at those hotels, but apparently this is not the standard at Disney. Any tips may never actually go to whom or where you intend them.

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by PamOKW
With that reasoning, why do we tip the waiter just because he brings out the plates?
Some service industry positions have a compensation structure based on tips, while other do not. As consumers, we learn over the the years when we're supposed to tip and when we're not. And when we travel to other countries, we figure out what their tipping "rules" are.

At airports, if you check your bags at the curbside, you tip the skycap, but if you check your bags at the ticket counter, you don't tip the agent. If you buy a beer at an airport bar, you tip the server, but if you buy a beer on the plane, you don't tip the flight attendant.

Some people choose to tip very generously when service is particularly good. Some people overtip to avoid any possibility of undertipping. Others try to tip exactly "what's expected." And some people don't feel guilty about not tipping at all; after all, nobody is going to arrest them if they don't tip. In the end, tipping is a personal decision (although it seems rude and mean not to tip at all).

There are the grey areas. Do we tip the tour guide? The counter service employee? The delivery clerk? The shuttle driver? The concierge who simply recommends a restaurant? The concierge who successfully gets us a hard-to-get reservation? The concierge who books an activity for which he/she gets a commission from the vendor? The answer, I guess, is "it depends."

As PKS 44 wrote, "Disney is not shy about recommending tipping." That's common in the hospitality and tourism industry. Usually, if it's a tipped position in the "grey area," you'll know it.

When it comes to housekeeping and other services at a full service resort, I gladly tip -- not just because it's expected of me, but because we usually get wonderful service, and the tips assure continued wonderful service.

On our recent Disney Cruise, we tipped way more than the recommended amounts for our server, assistant server, and stateroom steward -- they were the best. They worked long, hard hours. And we knew all along that, for all practical puroses, their services are not included in the price of the cruise.

On the other hand, I don't feel obligated to tip for DVC Trash & Towel service -- nor has Disney ever suggested that we should do so. I don't tip Disney bus drivers or ride operators.

I once tried to tip a housekeeper at OKW who did some emergency cleanup work that was way "above and beyond," and did so with such a wonderful attitude. It was hard to get her to take the tip -- I got the feeling she wasn't supposed to accept tips. I insisted, but it appears she spent the tip to buy a gift for my daughter.

Sorry for all the rambling thoughts.

[ReneeQ]

I have never tipped housekeeping, DVC or otherwise, for cleaning. I do tip if I REQUEST an item that isn't usually in the room, like a toaster, a larger coffee maker, etc. But if something is supposed to be in the room and is missing, I do not tip when they bring it, as it should have been there in the first place.

[PKS44]

Originally posted by PamOKW


With that reasoning, why do we tip the waiter just because he brings out the plates?

No, you tip-T-I-P To Insure Promptness. Supposedly that is the root of the phrase...Meanwhile, the dishwasher is supposed to make sure the dishes are clean...not a position where one can insure promptness...Valets, bellhops, and waiters can do things quickly or slowly-hence the tip...

Originally posted by PamOKW
Tipping housekeeping in hotels is a standard practice.

BUT, tipping housekeeping is NOT standard practice at WDW. Housekeeping is very specifically not listed as a tipped position. Other positions are listed as tipped positions. I don't know if WDW salaries are higher for housekeeping than average hotel industry, but there must be some reason they do NOT list housekeeping as a tipped position.

Paul

[PamOKW]

I don't know where this infamous list of tipped positions is to be found. I hear it mentioned on these boards from time to time. It is possible that they have to pay a higher base salary. This can be due to several reasons including the extreme difficulty in getting good housekeeping help and to balance the guests who do not tip the housekeepers. In most deluxe hotels the majority of guests would tip. At WDW that may not be the case.

I don't know if you've ever seen the work that goes into getting one of the villas ready. It's a lot more work than cleaning a standard hotel room. In some cases, it's equivalent to cleaning a house.

It's a personal choice whether or not to tip. I choose to tip the housekeeping staff at WDW equivalent to what I tip at any hotel and sometimes actually tip more due to the large size of the units. Others can choose not to tip. I don't think it's necessary to attack my decision. The poster asked for opinions. I gave mine pro tipping and others are giving theirs for not tipping. Each person can make their own decision.

It is also not always correct that the dishwasher isn't tipped. In some restaurants the tips are pooled and the entire staff shares in the pot. ;)

[Maistre Gracey]

In many places dishwashers, busboys, hostesses ect. are tipped. Many waitresses must give a percentage of their tips to these non-service workers (as they should...a clean plate is part of good service).
I used to tip at the end of our stay ($5/day). I now tip day by day, because who knows what that one housekeeper that cleans your room on checkout day does with the loot?

[eva]

Pam is right. In most restaurants the tips are shared by most of the staff. The hostess that seats you, the bartender that makes your drinks, the person who buses your table, even the cook and dishwasher may receive a portion of your tip. I know this because may daughter is a server at a Famous Dave's and only takes home about 40% of her tips. I know that people think that the server receives that majority of the tip but this is not correct. In most restaurants they are lucky if 50% hits their pocket.

I usually tip housekeeping when I stay at any hotel or resort. As mentioned above TIP means to "to insure prompt service". A long time ago a person actually tipped prior to the meal. When I leave a tip for housekeeping I usually received a lot better service than if I leave nothing. On this last trip to OKW we only received T&T service but we were staying in a grand villa and the mousekeeping had left all kinds of animal towels all over the villa when we arrived. They definitely received a generous tip from us on T&T day. I left it to show my appreciation for having the room in such great shape when we checked-in. It is a tough job cleaning those villas. I guess it is up to the individual as to whether they tip. I do it to insure good service and to show appreciation for a great job.

[dianeschlicht]

We too do not tip housekeeping. They are doing their job, and not a special service to us. Now, if there was a problem and they had to go above and beyond their normal obligations...Then I would tip.

I find it interesting that some of you think MOST DVC members stay less than 8 days!! I felt that most stayed more than 8 days. When we bought DVC as a timeshare, we expected to stay at least a week. We now tend to stay 8-12 nights for most stays. It truely seems like a home away from home then!

[maryp]

I worked as a maid in a hotel in high school. I couldn't beleive how messy some people were. Once when we checked in at the Poly, the room was late because the carpet had to be shampooed before we could have the room. While I think most people are not so untidy (trying to be polite here) there are some who are not. Based on personal experience, I always tip housekeeping, much to the dismay of my husband!!

[PKS44]

Originally posted by PamOKW
It's a personal choice whether or not to tip. I choose to tip the housekeeping staff at WDW equivalent to what I tip at any hotel and sometimes actually tip more due to the large size of the units. Others can choose not to tip. I don't think it's necessary to attack my decision. The poster asked for opinions. I gave mine pro tipping and others are giving theirs for not tipping. Each person can make their own decision.

Sorry PamOKW, I was not attacking your decision...just quoting what I was responding to---as you said each person can make that decision...I just think it helps if that decision is based on as much information as possible and I did not think the statement about "standard" practices was as complete a picture of the situation as possible...I noted earlier that Disney makes a point of telling people when to tip--even how much...When they changed the valet parking rules they made a point of saying "Of course, tipping is still appropriate for the valets." When you eat at a WDW restaurant a little message comes with the bill saying it is customary to tip 15% to 20%...they even give this same little message out at buffets where I think that is a bit high for servers who are really only bussing and delivering drinks for the most part...not the same as a full service waiter..that is another thread and issue---the point is why then is it that Disney does not leave any message whatsoever about tipping housekeeping?...if you write to the resorts they will gladly supply you with the list of tipped positions---you don't tip CM's in the parks and supposedly, if they accept tips they can be fired for it...as stated earlier, it is not clear if housekeepers are even allowed to keep those tips...the problem is that few people do it face to face, and management has a hard time policing such a policy... If people still want to tip knowing these things, that is their choice...but they should be aware of all aspects.

ADDENDUM: I was just over on the RADP and they have a tipping thread going now...a Mark Fendrick posted this 2 days ago-

"It's actually very simple and to the housekeepers benefit. In most hotels,housekeeping is a tipped position, so they receive a small salary ... often in the three dollar and change an hour range. (In Disney this still holds true for bell services. Tips are a necessary part of their pay.) In Disney, housekeeping in(sic) a non-tipped position and receives a better than minimum wage salary. Technically they are not supposed to accept tips, although the policy here is more lax than other non-tipped positions. My daughter works the front desk, and has had guests offer her tips. Since front desk is a non-tipped position, she is required to refuse. Accepting a tip is cause for immediate termination."

[burnsoc]

If anyone wants to see what it's like working in a service industry job, I suggest reading the book Nickel And Dimed In America, I don't remember the author's name offhand. It's a very powerful book. I for one generally over tip because I appreciate good service and know how little these people make. If I couldn't pay the tip I wouldn't go to the restaurant or hotel. Just my two cents.

[DeeP]

I don't know where this infamous list of tipped positions is to be found. I hear it mentioned on these boards from time to time.

Pam,
The list is on the resort newspaper they give you when you check in. Housekeeping is NOT listed as a tipped position but we always tip also.

[PamOKW]

The primary reason Disney has reminders in the restaurants is because tipping waitstaff is not common practice in Europe and other parts of the world. It is there to let foreign visitors know what is expected.

I know there's a list in the resort papers. I didn't know this is what people were referring to. I was wondering how the information about their salaries being higher and their not being allowed to accept tips came into being....seems sort of an urban legend of Disney boards. Just as in hotels around the country, I'm sure they are used to receiving some tips and some not. I don't think anyone who would ordinarily tip in a hotel should be discouraged from tipping at WDW or DVC. If you don't want to tip, that's okay, too.

[ralphd]

Think Pam has done a good job explaining the reason most people tip housekeeping. We tip based on the size of unit we are using on each trip. Fortuately we have always received very good service.

ralphd:) :) :) :)

[Dean]

We tip for many things and not for others. There has evolved a culture of businesses passing along part of their costs in this way to the customer above and beyond the direct cost of the service in question. The problem with tipping a position that is judged by management as a non tipping job is that over time you may convert it to a tipped position. That means less pay and potentially less benefits for that person. I know if I ran a hotel and the usual pay in the industry were XXX and they were getting tips in addition, I would cut the pay structure (or withhold raises) somewhat to even it out. Of course you still want to reward your best employees but no reason to overpay joe smoe off the street who may steal something and get fired anyway.

Since DVC pays them an appropriate salary and it's considered by management a non tipping position, I don't see the reason to tip unless something above their regular job. That's especially true for the cleaning they will do when you leave. Now if you leave a big mess, that's a different story. Personally, we usually take out the trash, pick up what we can, strip the beds and pile the towels and sheets near the door in separate piles.

[bicker]

I think the main point here is that tipping housekeeping is actually NOT a standard practice, but rather is the practice at roughly (very roughly) half the establishments. Besides Disney, Marriott also classifies their housekeepers as non-tipped and instructs them to turn money left in rooms over to management. Folks are welcome to do as they please, but unlike restaurant waiters, where tipping is always expected, the only way to know for sure whether the housekeeper should be tipped is to ask management. If you ask Disney management, you'll find, indeed, that they're non-tipped personnel.

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Dean
...Personally, we usually take out the trash, pick up what we can, strip the beds and pile the towels and sheets near the door in separate piles.
Holy Moly!... I'd rather tip! :D :D :D

[PKS44]

An important point not discussed yet is that this Non-tipped/tipped position thing has an effect on tax withholding...I am not sure of the details but as I understand it, if you do not tip a tipped position, like a waiter, the IRS figures you did tip them, and taxes them accordingly, so no tip is actually like taking money away from them...on the other hand, if you tip a housekeeper at a non-tipped position, the IRS may never know, so your tip is actually potentially worth even more to them since there is no tax taken away...By the way, that book about Nickel and Dimed in America is not really relevant to this discussion as it deals with minimum wge jobs---Disney pays housekeepers more than minimum wage, almost twice as much for some more senior housekeepers according to the information I have seen...they also give signing bonuses and have travelled to far away states to lure good housekeepers to Disney, so clearly this is not a position that is not given considerable investment by the company.

[Dean]

Originally posted by PKS44
I am not sure of the details but as I understand it, if you do not tip a tipped position, like a waiter, the IRS figures you did tip them, and taxes them accordingly, so no tip is actually like taking money away from them...on the other hand, if you tip a housekeeper at a non-tipped position, the IRS may never know, so your tip is actually potentially worth even more to them since there is no tax taken away. That is only partly true. The government does assume 10% tips for tipped jobs and takes out taxes accordingly. They would then file at the end of the year and would get any overage back. So they wouldn't lose anything, just have extra taken out if their tips are less than 10%.

[jcodespoti]

Call me stupid but... I always tip the maid that takes care of my room WHEN I CHECK IN. I ask the front desk the maids name and when I find her (this whole process takes 5 minutes) I give her a $20.00 bill and tell her my room number..You would not believe the service I get


Joe in CT

[burnsoc]

While the book I referred to is not about Disney, if a senior housekeeper is not even making twice the minimum wage that is still incredibly hard to live on. What is the starting wage for new housekeepers?

[bicker]

There are many jobs that don't pay very much. I'm not sure I see the connection.

[Kick it up a notch!]

Actually Dean, that is not entirely true. The IRS actually has interesting ways to calculate tipped income and will assess over and above what a tipped position declares far more than 10%. It would take too long to explain one of the ways I know of, but I have seen it done and the penalties and interest on top of the assessment are just as ugly.

[burnsoc]

Dear Bicker,
My point is that these people often work very hard for low wages and while Disney may not list their job as a tipped position, I think leaving a tip is the right thing to do. It's just my opinion and I know many others disagree. On my last stay at WDW we had an incredibly nice housekeeper who did a very thorough job. To show my appreciation I left a very generous tip. I consider tips to be a part of my vacation expenses and I figure them into the price of the trip.:cool:

[bicker]

To each his own.

[Dean]

Originally posted by Kick it up a notch!
Actually Dean, that is not entirely true. The IRS actually has interesting ways to calculate tipped income and will assess over and above what a tipped position declares far more than 10%. It would take too long to explain one of the ways I know of, but I have seen it done and the penalties and interest on top of the assessment are just as ugly. I'm sure there are a lot of rules. The point was that they are not charged withholding taxes in the long run on income they never had. The only way this could come into play as an issue is if the tips are less than the "assumptions" the government rules make which is not likely over the long haul for a tipped position, working full time and doing a good job. Charging penalties and interest because they didn't anticipate well over the course of the year is a different problem with the tax system not related to the point I was making (assuming that's what you're referring to). Non reporting of tips is also a problem and in part, the reason for the current rules whether we agree or disagree with them.

[PamOKW]

Burnsoc, you have expressed my feelings as well. I could not in good conscience let a housekeeper come in and clean my room on Christmas Day and not leave a substantial tip. Money is pouring out everywhere at WDW for sodas, ice creams, etc., etc., etc. the cost of tipping the maid is something I add in to my expenses. It is a personal decision with no right or wrong.

[KNWVIKING]

PAM...

In an earlier post you mentioned a "list" of who to tip. I don't know how official it is, but in Birnbaums Disneyland Guide, (which I don't have in front of me at the moment) they do no list housekeepers.

Personnaly I like jcodespoti's idea and may try it. I know if I'm sitting on a bar stool at a crowded pub,that first tip for the first round pays huge dividends the rest of the night.

[PamOKW]

I know if I'm sitting on a bar stool at a crowded pub,that first tip for the first round pays huge dividends the rest of the night

I've found the same principle to work with housekeeping. ;)

[ralphd]

Again Pam and burnsoc- I think you have expressed my feelings.
I do not believe housekeepers are overpaid at any hotel chain(including Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton), therefore I also feel like it is proper to tip when we expect to receive/or do receive good service.
We have always been satisfied with the service we have received at the DVC resorts.

ralphd:) :) :)

[DVCgrace]

Originally posted by ReneeQ
I have never tipped housekeeping, DVC or otherwise, for cleaning. I do tip if I REQUEST an item that isn't usually in the room, like a toaster, a larger coffee maker, etc. But if something is supposed to be in the room and is missing, I do not tip when they bring it, as it should have been there in the first place.

I agree -

I have never tipped while staying at any of the DVC resorts and we've been members for almost 11 years now. DVC housekeepers are paid very nicely especially when, as owners, we are the daily housekeepers!

[eva]

It is very interesting to see a number of people talk about how much houskeeping at a DVC resort is paid. As of yet I have not read where anyone has posted how musch a houskeeper there even makes. How do we know it is substantial? Does someone have an inside scoop? They may not be cleaning your room every day, but they did get your room cleaned before you checked-in. And I am sure that they are cleaning rooms every day. I bet that it takes as much time and trouble to clean a 2-bedroom one time as it does to clean a regular hotel room for an entire week. I still think that it is a personal decision to tip or not. Just like it is a personal decision whether to tip the waiter at restaurant or not.

[Dean]

Originally posted by eva
It is very interesting to see a number of people talk about how much houskeeping at a DVC resort is paid. As of yet I have not read where anyone has posted how musch a houskeeper there even makes. How do we know it is substantial? Does someone have an inside scoop? They may not be cleaning your room every day, but they did get your room cleaned before you checked-in. And I am sure that they are cleaning rooms every day. I bet that it takes as much time and trouble to clean a 2-bedroom one time as it does to clean a regular hotel room for an entire week. I still think that it is a personal decision to tip or not. Just like it is a personal decision whether to tip the waiter at restaurant or not. True Eva, it is a personal decision, but there is a difference in tipping someone who's employers assumes they will be tipped and pays them according vs the opposite. I don't know what the housekeeping staff makes nor is it my business. WDW in general tends to pay on the low side and give great benefits but I'm sure there are a lot of exceptions to this as well. If one wants to tip, that's fine. I will not be tipping for normal service but will continue to clean up at the end and tip for any special service the same as I would tip "extra" for a waiter, etc who did an outstanding job. I will also tip accordingly if what I've done will cause them extra work beyond the usual regular cleanings required.

[Lyndarella]

I've worked several places in housekeeping and never expected or received a tip. We were always paid minimum wage or more. Of course that was a long time ago. . .

Also, when waitressing at Pizza Hut (in the '80s) we were paid WAY less than minimum wage. The employer was expected to make up for absent tips so that you would not take home less than minimum wage each day. Therefore, we were watched and questioned relentlessly for how much we made in tips. As we did not have to share our tips with anyone, I thought it was no one's business how much I made in tips, so I always reported very little. My employer and I did not like the way each other did business, so we parted company in a short time.

Tipping is for good service that has been performed. If you leave a tip for a housekeeper when you check out, you don't know if she does a good job cleaning after you leave or not. You are not leaving the tip for the person you liked so well a few days ago, as she is not likely to be the one coming in after you're gone. There is a large staff, different each day, and they circulate among rooms. At least that's the way it was everywhere I worked.

[Homesick]

I usually leave a tip for housekeeping on checkout day also, but on our last visit to OKW if Feb., when we arrived at our room, the bellhop came in with us, and did a walk thru. It was a 2 bdrm, and he walked into each room. I assumed this was to check the condition of the room, or see if anything was missing. But on checkout day I left my tip for housekeeping in the master bathroom. We happened to get the same bellhop, and this time he did his walk thru, after we had exited the room, and were waiting outside. I had to wonder if he left the tip for the housekeeper, or helped himself to it. Is this standard procedure for bellhops now? This is the first time its happened to us.

[BobH]

To quote my 2001 edition of Birnbaum's WDW Guide "Tips are no less valued at Walt Disney World Resorts than any other hotel -
...$1 to $2 per night for housekeeping services... I can't imagine the staff would not appreciate a gesture of appreciation. My opinion.

[mistermouse]

We routinely tip housekeeping wherever we stay - generally it is in recognition of the reailty that we are being served on a personal level by workers less fortunate than ourselves. Housekeeping at Disney has always been well above average and we appreciate it. But I must admit our tipping averages only about $1-2 per day, we haven't graduated to the $5/day level:eek:

I had not of thought of it, but Joecodepoti's recognition of the housekeepers service sounds like a great idea;

Call me stupid but... I always tip the maid that takes care of my room WHEN I CHECK IN. I ask the front desk the maids name and when I find her (this whole process takes 5 minutes) I give her a $20.00 bill and tell her my room number..You would not believe the service I get .

We have a hard time understanding some people's relunctance to tip in many situations, but have learned not to really question it. We are always happy to tip for both common and good service; resort and hotel housekeeping is no exception.

[bicker]

I think the true distinction is being missed by many in this thread:

In the United States, it is expected that restaurant servers will get tips, unless the restaurant posts a policy to the contrary.

In the United States, there is NO reliable expectation as it pertains to the tipping of housekeepers. Unlike restaurant servers, (roughly) half of housekeepers are paid in expectation of tips, while the other (roughly) half are not. Disney's housekeepers fall into the latter category.

In either case, restaurant servers or housekeepers, it is STILL up to the patron whether and how much to tip. The difference is that in the case of restaurant servers, the social expectation is always there, while with housekeepers it isn't always there.

IMHO, with respect to restaurant servers, mistermouse's interest in the cause of the "reluctance" to tip is warranted, while with respect to housekeepers (at Marriott and Disney hotels, at least) that interest isn't warranted -- the answer is simple: They're not supposed to be tipped.

One last thing: Given that there are housekeepers that are paid less based on an expectation that they will receive tips and there are housekeepers who are paid more based on the expectation that they won't be tipped, if you tip regardless, do you tip the former MORE than you tip the latter? Shouldn't you? Don't the two work just as hard? Shouldn't they end up getting the same amount of money for the same work?

[Nanajo1]

I look at my stay at my"home away home" as a different category for tipping housekeeping.
If on T+T day I ask for something extra, towels, soap etc. I would leave a tip. Last trip the housekeeper was very attentive and I gave her $3 on T+T. She acted surprised to get it. On check out I usually leave $20 or so depending on room size and LOS. My unit was clean when I arrived and needs to be cleaned when I leave.
If we are staying in a HOTEL I tip $1/pp per night. If it is a short stay I tip at the end but if it is more than 3 days I tip in the middle and at the end. I don't worry about it being the same person, I figure it all works out for the housekeepers in the end.

[PamOKW]

In the United States, there is NO reliable expectation as it pertains to the tipping of housekeepers.

We can go round and round on this question. I respectfully disagree with the notion that it is unusual to tip housekeeping. All my life my father has always left a tip for the maid in any hotel where we have stayed just as a tip was left for the servers in restaurants. Maybe experiences in other parts of the country are different but I have always considered the tip as part of travel expenses just as I know if I use a valet or a bellhop a tip would also be expected.

I do not ask the base salary of any housekeeper or waiter before I leave their tip. That is a far-fetched notion. Don't the waitstaffs at Rainforest Cafe and at California Grill do roughly the same amount of work? However, my bill at CG will probably be higher than at RF and the tip left will be higher because it is based on a percentage of the bill. They are paid differently for the same work.

[BobH]

It seems to me that this lengthy discussion of "tipping rules" just confirms the fact that there are many ways of looking at this issue. My feeling is that it is completely appropriate to tip if you have a good experience. It doesn't matter whether you are a regular "hotel guest" or a DVC owner.

[POLLY ANN]

Well, we stayed in a GV last year and on T&T day, we left $10, when we left at the end of our vacation we left $20.

I like my place CLEAN! ;)

[KNWVIKING]

Amazing. Four pages of posts based on a 23 word question about tipping. I guess we've all got WAYYYY too much time on our hands.

[bicker]

Originally posted by PamOKW
We can go round and round on this question. I respectfully disagree with the notion that it is unusual to tip housekeeping. Just re-read this thread: It is uncontrovertible that there are a significant number of people who were totally unaware that tipping is appropriate for hotel housekeepers; that's vastly different from restaurant servers where just about everyone knows that they're supposed to be tipped, even if the poster elects not to. I was as surprised about it as you are when I participated in my first few online discusssions about this.
All my life my father has always left a tip for the maid in any hotel where we have stayed just as a tip was left for the servers in restaurants.As did I. Maybe experiences in other parts of the country are different Precisely... that's the point.

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by bicker
It is uncontrovertible that there are a significant number of people who were totally unaware that tipping is appropriate for hotel housekeepers

Uncontrovertible? :confused: Looked it up at m-w.com and can't find it. :confused: help!


Tipping for a job well done is completely understandable. I don't understand the tipping IN ADVANCE. By doing that are you then expecting BETTER service than anyone else gets? Shouldn't everyone get the same great service? Then what happens if you tip in advance and then get "regular" service? Are you disappointed? Long for a refund of part of your tip?

[KNWVIKING]

Try INcontrovertable.

[ohiominnie]

Thx. Your spelling was a little off, but m-w got close and I got the rest of the way. :)

[deerh]

Interesting thread. We as a family usually do not tip. HOWEVER, we make the maid/housekeeping staff do less. Before we leave, we pile all the dirty linen in a corner in the bathroom, and clean up before we leave. We do not use the vac or etc, but we will load the dishwasher and start it, clean the kitchen (if so equipped), etc. We try to make their lives a little easier for them anyway. I DO tip for extra things we may need, or things of that nature above and beyond the "normal' housekeeping duties.
Just my .02 cents worth......
deerh

[PKS44]

Originally posted by PamOKW


We can go round and round on this question. I respectfully disagree with the notion that it is unusual to tip housekeeping. All my life my father has always left a tip for the maid in any hotel where we have stayed just as a tip was left for the servers in restaurants. Maybe experiences in other parts of the country are different but I have always considered the tip as part of travel expenses just as I know if I use a valet or a bellhop a tip would also be expected....

Well we do go round and round as everyone keeps talking past each other...

What anybody does personally or what their father does or what people do in one part of the country or not is not the point...those accounts are anecdotes, not standards Our personal worlds are too small to encompass all standards.....nobody says it is UNUSUAL to tip-what was said is that it is not standard practice, it is not UNUSUAL to NOT tip is the point...this is a small but important distinction. Whether housekeepers make a lot or a little is irrelevant. Lots of people at WDW (bus drivers, park CM's,etc ) and elsewhere make minimum wage- CM's who work the rides make little, but nobody tips them, and there are ways they could "enhance" their service to you if you did...of course they would be fired for it...that is Disney's policy to try to keep some services at a certain level that is the same to all who come regardless of how much more money they want to throw around to get "better" service....Clearly, Disney feels housekeepers should be providing a level of basic service without having to receive "extra" money from guests as tips to get that basic service. Some people seem to think that even basic housekeeping service at Disney can only come by paying more- Polly Ann wrote about leaving a $20 tip saying:"I like my place CLEAN!" As if those who don't tip either don't get a clean room or don't care if they do...both of which are ridiculous assumptions. When checking into a hotel, the room should be clean without having to bribe/tip extra for that level of service...For extra services, a tip is appropriate, but for doing their job?-cleaning the room? If standard cleaning only comes with a "standard" tip, something is wrong with the standards...

[bicker]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Uncontrovertible? :confused: Looked it up at m-w.com and can't find it. :confused: help!
Sorry: "incontrovertible".

[bicker]

Originally posted by deerh
Interesting thread. We as a family usually do not tip. HOWEVER, we make the maid/housekeeping staff do less. Before we leave, we pile all the dirty linen in a corner in the bathroom, and clean up before we leave. We do not use the vac or etc, but we will load the dishwasher and start it, clean the kitchen (if so equipped), etc. Just a note on this. I've read that the housekeepers must run all the dishes through the dishwasher ANYWAY (safety reasons), so there's nothing gained by running the dishwasher for them.

I doubt that anything we could do beforehand really would save the housekeepers much time, and, of course, saving them time, even if we could do it, would work against them: less time, less work, less need for housekeepers, fewer jobs, lower pay for the job, etc.

[bicker]

Originally posted by PKS44
...nobody says it is UNUSUAL to tip-what was said is that it is not standard practice, it is not UNUSUAL to NOT tip is the point...this is a small but important distinction.Bingo. That's really the crux of the issue.
Some people seem to think that even basic housekeeping service at Disney can only come by paying more- Polly Ann wrote about leaving a $20 tip saying:"I like my place CLEAN!" As if those who don't tip either don't get a clean room or don't care if they do...both of which are ridiculous assumptions.I've never had anything but excellent service from the housekeepers at BWV, and I've known that they're non-tipped personnel for years.
When checking into a hotel, the room should be clean without having to bribe/tip extra for that level of service...For extra services, a tip is appropriate, but for doing their job?-cleaning the room? If standard cleaning only comes with a "standard" tip, something is wrong with the standards... Indeed. I can't imagine ever getting into a situation whereby one would tip before the service (which is why most travel organizations, including the American Society of Travel Agents, indicate that the standard is to tip auto valets when you get your car BACK, not both when dropping it off and when getting it back -- when you drop the car off the valet hasn't done anything for you yet!)

[deerh]

Posted by Bicker:Just a note on this. I've read that the housekeepers must run all the dishes through the dishwasher ANYWAY (safety reasons), so there's nothing gained by running the dishwasher for them.

I just clean the room because that is the way I was brought up in Tennessee as a boy. Clean your room before you leave, if it saves the maids time, then so be it! I just feel like it is the right thing to do, besides, it is a good influence on my kids too.
Deerh

P.S. I do see your point on the less work, etc, but I think it is a wash, for my semi-clean room, you have a messy Joe down the hall who trashed his room.
deerh

[BobH]

It amazes me what we spend to join DVC yet this post has gone on so long over the reasons "not" to leave a few dollars as a tip...
The defense rests...

[burnsoc]

I couldn't have said it better, Bob. :D

[Lyndarella]

FYI -- Some places the housekeepers are paid by how many units they clean each day, or are given a bonus for reaching a certain number. If you do part of the work for them, it does help them earn more!

[PamOKW]

when you drop the car off the valet hasn't done anything for you yet!)

But, the valet will be deciding where to park your car. ;) I usually tip both ways, but for sure when it's my own car and not a rental.

Bob -- I'm with you. If I'm paying $2.50 for a bottle of water I can skip one and give the maid a break. ;)

[manning]

Do you go and see where the valet parked your car or when? Chances are they will park it in the first spot they find.

[bicker]

Originally posted by BobH
It amazes me what we spend to join DVC yet this post has gone on so long over the reasons "not" to leave a few dollars as a tip...
The defense rests...Sounds like you're rationalizing your judgmentalism.

This has never been about whether people "shouldn't" leave a tip. This has always been about whether people "should." Seems to me that that hasn't been proven by any stretch of the imagination.

[Granny]

We just returned and tipped housekeeping $5 for full cleaning and another $5 on check out.

I noticed in the DVC packet they gave us at check-in that they listed the positions where tipping is expected. Housekeeping was definitely not in there. But we tipped anyway. In fact, I tipped the maid $2 when she brought me extra pillows and blankets the first night.

For whatever reason, we received Trash & Towel service each of the last three days. Didn't ask for it, didn't expect it (except for one of the days), but it was nice.

Still didn't keep them from hitting us with the early morning "mystery call" on check-out day though!:rolleyes:

I think tipping is a personal decision here. On topics like this, there really is no "right" answer, no matter how strongly we hold our opinions.

Is it "right" for me to tip? I don't know, but I do. Is it "wrong" not to tip? I wouldn't think less of anyone who tells me they don't.