Am I the Only One Who Doesn't Tip Housekeeping?

[IamSusan]

I think it is the proper thing to do. But in a way I am glad some people don't because it is nice to imagine a smile on the face of the housekeeper being glad she was tipped.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Let me ask this though...in the scenario you tip every day for housekeeping. You are giving the housekeeper a tip before you have even seen their work..because you never know who was there the day before. That just to me seems weird. If it is for "good service" wouldn't you have to judge the service by actually seeing your room before leaving the tip since there is no real way of knowing who actually cleaned your room the day before. You would hope that the housekeeper would do their job "better" because a tip is left on the table...but who knows. What if they do a really bad job then you just tipped someone who gave poor service ( had this happen a few times other places than WDW). I personally never tip someone unless I am actually placing it into the person's hands (bell hops, barber...etc) or leaving it on a CC that had the servers name on it. Because of this I rarely tip housekeeping...but if I am around and the job was done well I try to tip.

 

[jtdl]

First of all, how rude! Personally, I don't have $20-$50 dollars extra a week to tip to housekeeping on top of the tips that I give elsewhere. That's my own situation. And you cannot tell anyone where they should spend their money or who can or cannot afford to go to WDW. Back to my original point - tipping is optional. Each individual can and should use their own discretion. You may feel as though people should tip housekeeping (so tip away) but that is simply your opinion.

Ali

I totally agree. I've been pinching and scraping for a few years to come up with the money to do this trip.

I realize everyone has their own opinion and are certainly entitled to it just as we are entitled to make up our own minds how to spend our own hard earned money. I work as hard as the next person but have to scrimp much longer than some people to save enough money to go to WDW, just as I'm sure others have to scrimp longer than me. If I were to tip every person who crossed my path, I'd be saving twice as long for my family to take a trip. Just my opinion!

 

[safetymom]

Not sure how you are figuring that the tip for housekeeping would be $8 a day. I also like to think I am spreading a little pixie dust back when I tip the maids or whoever.

I am a widow that went with my 3 kids and still found a way to tip something every day when the service was deserving. Money was hard to come by for me too but I found a way to do it.

 

[Hippychickali]

Not sure how you are figuring that the tip for housekeeping would be $8 a day. I also like to think I am spreading a little pixie dust back when I tip the maids or whoever.

I am a widow that went with my 3 kids and still found a way to tip something every day when the service was deserving. Money was hard to come by for me too but I found a way to do it.

You are certainly lucky to be able to do that. Unfortunately, I just don't think that's possible for me. My fiance and I are both students going on our honeymoon. I make zero income. So, the money for the trip is coming from my parents who are treating us to our honeymoon. Do you expect me to ask for more money so I can tip? Others would suggest I simply should not go to WDW; an elitist opinion if you ask me. If these housekeepers make such little money, they should understand my situation. If I were rich, I would give everyone money but I am not.

 

[safetymom]

You are lucky to have parents that are giving you this great gift. I had no one but me to come up with the money including tips for our trip. I thought it was important for my kids to be able to forget about their grieving for a week. The look on their faces was priceless when they saw the parks.

If you can't afford a tip why not make little cards or something for housekeeping? I always leave little notes wishing them a great day or something. You could do that and I am sure it would brighten their day.

 

[jmclester]

You are lucky to have parents that are giving you this great gift. I had no one but me to come up with the money including tips for our trip. I thought it was important for my kids to be able to forget about their grieving for a week. The look on their faces was priceless when they saw the parks.

If you can't afford a tip why not make little cards or something for housekeeping? I always leave little notes wishing them a great day or something. You could do that and I am sure it would brighten their day.

Apparently, the note thing is apprecitated too. Our mousekeeper left a basket on our TV molded from towels and wash cloths on the first day. DW left a note for her and the next day she left little bunnies molded from wash cloths. I didn't get the impression from this that she was expecting any monetary gain from her pixie dust. If that was the case she would have removed them and "used" it on someone else.

 

[Limmer]

My fiance and I are both students going on our honeymoon. I make zero income. So, the money for the trip is coming from my parents who are treating us to our honeymoon. Do you expect me to ask for more money so I can tip? Others would suggest I simply should not go to WDW; an elitist opinion if you ask me. If these housekeepers make such little money, they should understand my situation. If I were rich, I would give everyone money but I am not.

So let me see if I understand, you are a student without a job, correct? How is your schooling paid for? Your parents or student loans? Both? Do you smoke? Drink coffee? Ever go out for dinner? Does your fiance ever drink beer? Do you not think that skipping any of these things for a week to give a small tip to a hardworking individual would be worth it?

I am far from an elitist, my DH works 12-14 hours a day at a blue collar job and I work in the mall. Just because I believe that it is better to skip buying that $40 mickey t-shirt or eating counter service instead of a character meal in order to give a small token to a hard working person maybe trying to support a family does not make me an elitist. Just the opposite in fact. Maybe still being in school, you don't understand how hard it is to support a family on minimum wage and that every little bit helps.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Good grief! The poor girl is going on her honeymoon! But she better not buy a t-shirt? Geesh! Tipping housekeeping is not required! I have worked for minimum too. I cleaned offices to get through school. No one ever left me a tip! I also don't tip at McDonalds or Walmart! Hmmmm...I guess that should be mandatory too. Minimum-wage=hardwork=tip! Got it!

 

[Limmer]

Nobody ever said that tipping was required. If people choose not to tip because they got bad service, don't feel it necessary etc that is one thing. Hippychickali and I were debating not being able to afford to tip. I was making a point on how to be able to afford it.

 

[leebee]

A couple of random thoughts here...most wait staff positions are NOT required to pay either federal or state minimum wage levels; there is a separate minimum wage set for service industry positions. Regarding paying taxes, if the IRS chooses to investigate a wait staff's claiming of tips, there are federal standards that alert the IRS to what employees SHOULD be claiming, based on the restaurant's income (and, yes, most of us are aware of the minimum we should claim, based on this and hours worked). Regarding cash or credit for tips, all businesses that accept credit cards pay a percentage of the credit card business to the bank/cc company, usually in the range of 2-5%. SOME unscrupulous employers will therefore deduct 2-5% of an employee's tip money when it is charged to a cc, especially in high-tourism areas. Also, since the cc accounts are "settled" with the business monthly, some employers hold an employee's charged tips until the settlement date. I therefore always try to tip the wait staff in cash, regardless of how I'm paying the bill. As far as tipping housekeeping, houskeepers are not included in the "service industry" wage guidelines. They make at least federal/state minimum wage, and in many tourist areas they make quite a bit more per hour. I don't see tipping them as making up for low wages, as I do with wait staff. If you do choose to tip housekeeping, don't wait until the last day. You have no idea if the person assigned to your room that day is the same one who's been cleaning it all week! Food for thought: in many restaurants, the waiter/waitress is required to tip-out the busboys and bartenders from the tips they get from the customer!

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Thanks for the explanation Limmer! I still don't agree, however! That would be like saying I can "afford" to go buy my kids all of the toys they want for xmas, even though it would mean giving up every frivolous pursuit this year. That is not "affording" in my opinion. JMO, of course!

 

[Hippychickali]

Nobody ever said that tipping was required. If people choose not to tip because they got bad service, don't feel it necessary etc that is one thing. Hippychickali and I were debating not being able to afford to tip. I was making a point on how to be able to afford it.

Oh boy! Here we go...

I am very very very lucky that my parents are giving me this wonderful gift in lieu of a wedding reception/ceremony/pomp and circumstance. My fiance and I thank God every day for their thoughtfulness and for people like them. It was quite unexpected and wonderful.

Limmer, you have no idea what my life is like. I'm not saying that other's don't have it worse than me but my fiance and I are certainly "starving students". I'm not sure why you are so interested in the intimate details of my life but I'm not too proud to share.

I do have a job but no income. I am the student minister at a church, which is voluntary. My parents have never paid one penny for my schooling...not for my Bachelors degree and not now for my Masters degree. I work very hard in the summers and worked full-time while going to university during my first degree. Not only that but I am on full scholarship which takes a heck of a lot of work as well. No, I don't get student loans because I'm not one to live off the government if I don't have to, even if it would be for a short time. My fiance and I don't smoke, we don't drink coffee (yuck), and we only take a drink when someone else is offering. Thanks for your keen interest. We can't afford to go out for dinner, my dear. We're sort of the typical beans and weiners/Kraft Dinner type of students.

Don't you think that we are already skipping any possible thing that we spend money on that is not necessity in order to A. afford to live; B. support our church and charities; and C. have a couple of bucks to be able to eat while we are at WDW and celebrate our marriage? If it makes you feel better, we've already pretty much accepted the fact that their won't be any souvenir buying except for maybe a couple of those photos they take of you while you are on the rides. (And I'm certainly not giving those up to tip mousekeeping.) There will be no character meals, no sit down restaurants, no extras. I don't think you understand what I'm saying. We are just happy enough to be going to Disney. We don't need frills.

Personally, I think your attitude stinks. I am not going to starve so that I can let the housekeeper know how much I appreciate her/him. I preach on a regular basis and one of the points I can't stress enough is that you don't need money to be a good person. I can thank housekeeping without paying them extra. (Great suggestion about the cards, btw.) I don't think you get the fact that my quality of life is the same as this housekeeper that you feel so sorry for and possibly even worse.

Also, I don't appreciate you patronizing me. I do not need your help to tell me how to save money, O Wise One. I'm a pro. I'm preparing for full-time ministry. It's sort of requirement. I may never be able to tip the housekeeper at a hotel but I will always be able to show people that their hard work is appreciated and if not tipping the housekeeper means that I can continue to financially support the causes that are near and dear to my heart, than so be it.

I never said that tipping was a bad thing. My point is, it is a choice. There are lots of reasons that people don't and can't tip. It's not just about bad service. So, I want anyone out their in my situation to go to WDW (if you can afford it or its a gift) and have a good time. Don't let yourself be bullied into spending extra money on things that you can't afford by people who chose to attack your character and way of life and those who try to impose their own judgements onto you. The people who understand never would do that.

Ali

 

[jtdl]

Very well said! BTW - congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

 

[Hippychickali]

Very well said! BTW - congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

Thank you so much! We really are out of our minds with excitement! :jumping4: : Sorry for the somber tone of the last post but I felt I needed to say something.

Ali

 

[richwdw1023]

I never really saw the point in leaving a tip in a hotel room myself but always did because I didnt want to feel cheap. The reasons I dont tip is primarily because I'm not sure the person cleaning up my room is the person that receives the tip. I never knew so many people felt the same way about tipping at a hotel. I dont think I will now!

 

[TDC Nala]

geez, all this fuss over something you can either do or not do as you choose.

WDW doesn't say you HAVE to tip anyone. They say gratuities are customary for certain positions. You can tip for those positions, you can tip for other positions, you can not tip at all if it's what you decide. It's not a law, just a guideline as to what is customary. Any moral considerations are up to you.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Ali, I applaud your honest post and sincere attitude. I think most of us here took you at your word when you said that you were a student with very limited income. It's a shame that a few select others have made you feel as though you had to defend yourself. Have a WONDERFUL time on your honeymoon. You truly deserve it!

On a seperate token, to respond to another poster's comment:

I never really saw the point in leaving a tip in a hotel room myself but always did because I didnt want to feel cheap.

I completely understand where you're coming from, Rich. I'm the type who has a hard time walking past the person ringing the Salvation Army bell outside the grocery store and not donating something. If I have some cash or change on me, I usually give something. If I'm only carrying credit -- which is usually the case -- I always feel dreadfully guilty that I don't have anything to give.

But it's NOT RIGHT to constantly live your life in guilt.

Donating is NOT mandatory, it's optional and completely up to the individual. The same goes for tipping. Yes, some positions are considered "tipped" positions, like waiting tables. But if I experience poor service, should I feel guilty and obligated to leave the suggested 15%+, just because it's the "right" thing to do? I say NO -- tipping should be based solely on quality of service, and not what's expected or considered "mandatory".

On the other hand, I've left small tips for people -- like the guy making my coffee at Starbucks -- because of efficient, friendly, and excellent service. That job is NOT considered a "tipped" position, but I put some change in the tip jar anyway. Again, that was my choice.

I think that SOME of the folks who leave tips for Mousekeeping are genuinely nice, kind-hearted people who appreciate quality service and wish to reward the person providing it. That's wonderful, and you should continue tipping for this reason.

However, some folks -- like Rich said above -- leave tips because they feel guilty and obligated. That's NOT the right kind of tipping, in my opinion. It's none of my business how any of you budget your respective vacations, and it's not my right to tell you how to scrimp and save extra $$$ so you can tip your Mousekeeper out of "obligation" or because "most [decent] people tip" or because you don't know how hard the life is of your Mousekeeper, and that extra $5 could really help them out. That's just silly and unfair. Most of us are under the impression that Mousekeeping is NOT a tipped position, and from what I understand, this is also WDW's stance on the issue. If you choose to tip your Mousekeeper, that's great. But don't make the rest of us feel guilty or like cheap, uncaring people because we don't share your viewpoint.

In my experience, the best service I've received at WDW has come from cast members in the parks and at my hotel's front desk. If I had to tip every one of them for their friendliness and efficiency, my vacation budget would have doubled. It's my feeling that unless you're exceptionally messy or put in several requests for special Mousekeeping services (extra towels, pillows, etc.) there should be no obligation to tip your Mousekeeper. They were hired for a position -- it may not be glamorous or well-paid -- but it was their choice to work at a WDW hotel where they may or may not receive tips for their service. You, as the person staying at that hotel, have paid more than enough money to have the privelage of enjoying the hotel's ammenities, enjoying the WDW parks, and enjoying the overall Disney magic that comes from just being on property. It's YOUR vacation, do what makes you happy and feels right for you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Just my two cents.

 

[okapi]

These viewpoints are indeed eye-opening. What a hot button!
I'm now curious, those who don't tip housekeepers at hotels, do you tip for table service at the restaurants?
If so, what percent?
If what I've been reading is correct, I could save a bundle if I can convince my DH to stop tipping.
I concur that it is choice, and indeed when was the last time anyone tipped they're friendly teller at the bank...but I am curious as to what ministry one goes into that does not ask for donations of their parishioners. I'm sure your congregation will be very happy to know that you'll only "ask 'em" for thank you and happy notes. I hope they place you in my area.
In the meantime, I now know why we're treated like KINGS at our resort from $1-$2 a day housekeeping service. Indeed, every morning as we're leaving we call housekeeping to let them know when the room's available and roughly when they can expect our return.
The sad part to this story is, however, in the term "mousekeeper" so unfondly named must be in your eyes sub-human, not because you choose not to tip them, but because you believe they do not earn it.

 

[Hippychickali]

but I am curious as to what ministry one goes into that does not ask for donations of their parishioners. I'm sure your congregation will be very happy to know that you'll only "ask 'em" for thank you and happy notes. I hope they place you in my area.

Are you suggesting that church donations are tips to the minister? I will get paid the same no matter what people give and, trust me, it's not much. People provide offerings for their church so that they have the means to provide ministry to those in their community and abroad. So, if someone cannot afford to offer money that is fine. They still sit in solidarity with the rest of us. Are you suggesting that most churches kick people out if they don't pay? That's one damaging theology.

So, to answer your question, yes...we don't ask for donations from our congregational members. That is an individual choice. My congregation (the congregation of the United Church of Canada) does know that we only ask them to be faithful and listen to the word of God. Religion isn't typically about making money. So, if all one can offer is thanksgiving than that's wonderful because we are all equal in the eyes of God regardless of class, race, sexual orientation, nationality, etc. I can't believe I even have to explain this.

Ali