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

[jmclester]

I had to laugh while reading the response from disneychrista who stated "how does she know that the spouse of someone in housekeeping isn't the CEO of a company with a six-figure salary". Does anyone really believe that someone would be cleaning hotel rooms for fun? Regardless whether it's a tipped position or not I will always leave a little something because I like the idea of putting a smile on someones face.

As for you, hokiefan 33, who starts at 0% and goes from there - things do happen that are out of the waitresses control. Yes, it's not your problem but if the waitress has done all she can (including trying to get something comped for you) but is unsuccessful you should not hold it against them. They have bosses too and have to follow their rules.

What is your criteria for deciding the list of whom (tipped position or not) to put a smile on their face?

 

[hokiefan33]

What is your criteria for deciding the list of whom (tipped position or not) to put a smile on their face?

How much disposable cash I have, taking into account how much I anticipated spending on tipped positions. My goal in life is not to put smiles on other people's faces by giving them money. I will help them if I can, and I will tip them if they are in a tipped position and have earned the tip, but beyond that I can't, and don't, promise anything!

 

[Hippychickali]

My, my . . . you would think with all these people being so concerned about putting smiles on peoples faces by throwing money at them we would have more than enough people to work for charities and other non-profit organizations.

Ali

 

[hokiefan33]

My, my . . . you would think with all these people being so concerned about putting smiles on peoples faces by throwing money at them we would have more than enough people to work for charities and other non-profit organizations.

Ali

Amen. And further, not only enough people to work for them, but a lot of money donated to them as well. And you can even write-off charitable donations on your taxes; can't do the same with tips.

 

[jmclester]

How much disposable cash I have, taking into account how much I anticipated spending on tipped positions. My goal in life is not to put smiles on other people's faces by giving them money. I will help them if I can, and I will tip them if they are in a tipped position and have earned the tip, but beyond that I can't, and don't, promise anything!

hokiefan33, please note that my post was in response to BonSchwe's apparent generosity in wanting to put a smile on someone's face. I'd like to know what it takes to get on that list because I don't work in a tipped position but I sure like to be given money and I love to smile.

 

[tracy51]

Gah, I just got through reading these posts and suddenly I'm considering moving on to another board where people are nicer. Opinions are seem to be taken personally and viewed as being judgemental.

People tip for many reasons and don't tip for many reasons. If it makes them feel generous (have no idea if I spelled that right and don't really care ) and that they are helping out those not as fortunate as them, good for them. It doesn't mean they don't give to charities as some seem to be implying. They may be 'generous' in every as aspect of their life. People feel that they are already paying for clean rooms or other services and shouldn't have to tip the people that are performing the jobs. You're absolutely right. I think there is a level of service that you should expect and should be met whether or not you tip. Not tipping does not mean you are cheap or not generous.

Point blank tipping is a choice (granted in some instances it is rather force fed to us) and the reasons for tipping or not tipping are also personal choices. People shouldn't be flamed or comdemned for sharing those views. That's what the OP started this thread to do - share our views.

My 2 cents

 

[I_Know_You2!]

My, my . . . you would think with all these people being so concerned about putting smiles on peoples faces by throwing money at them we would have more than enough people to work for charities and other non-profit organizations.

Ali

That is a big assumption, that the generous people here are not generous in their own worlds. We tip and we volunteer and we give. Most of the people I know do the same.

It seems that you are trying to make yourself out to be superior for not tipping? You don't need to put other people down to feel good about yourself.

 

[Hippychickali]

That is a big assumption, that the generous people here are not generous in their own worlds. We tip and we volunteer and we give. Most of the people I know do the same.

It seems that you are trying to make yourself out to be superior for not tipping? You don't need to put other people down to feel good about yourself.

I Know You 2,

I think you have read my post all wrong. I'm not say that "the generous people here are not generous in their own worlds". How the heck would I know whether you volunteer or not. I think I'm superior because I don't tip? That's ridiculous. Your response seems very confusing to me and I don't see how I was putting anyone down with my comments. I certainly apologize if anyone thinks they are inferior for tipping.

Ali

 

[disneychrista]

I had to laugh while reading the response from disneychrista who stated "how does she know that the spouse of someone in housekeeping isn't the CEO of a company with a six-figure salary". Does anyone really believe that someone would be cleaning hotel rooms for fun?

The point I was trying to make is that is you can not know the situation of ANY employee. And it is prosumptuous of someone to view them as a "charity case." I would hope that everyone can find at least a little fun in the work they do. I know I would not keep a job that I detested, regardless what it is.

 

[vernon]

For some of you world travelers, is our society over the top with tipping or is this a global thing?

Tipping is "global", the level of tipping is not at the same levels as America expects. IMHO yes, America is far too expectant for tips. In the past I believe it has been reflected though in better service received by those paying the tips. I feel that it has now become expected for doing an adiquate job. This is reflected governmentally by taxation on believed tipping levels. I think tipping should reflect a job being done to above adiquate levels and those providing the service should be paid a "proper" wage for a proper job. Like previous comments I believe 20% tip at some higher end restaurants is ridiculous, particularly in the case of wine when there is no difference in the job of geting, opening and pouring a bottle of $10 wine to the duties for opening a $200 bottle of wine. A set "corkage" fee would better reflect the duties performed IMHO.

Wonder how many rooms the average mousekeeper cleans? $2-4 per room would add up to how much in a week?

About 20 rooms per day in an 8 hour shift. With tipping seeming to be at about 40-50% of guests, I would guess you're looking at between $20-30 per day. I believe most mousekeeping positions are "part time" so the workers would be working less than 30 hours (or 4 days) per week. Most part time workers do not have a fixed number of hours they work. It could be 0 hours that week, it could be 30, they have no way of knowing or budgetting if the company decides they don't need that worker that week/month.

IMHO if no one tipped, mousekeepers would be more difficult to employ and Disney ( and others) would have to pay more to attract them. If that were to happen room charges would have to rise to pay for higher wages costs and EVERYONE would pay higher room charges, so cleaning staff were payed a proper wage for a proper day's work. Again, IMHO, I don't think minimum wage is sufficient payment for the work that goes into cleaning rooms thoroughly in the volume that Disney and most other hotel chains expect. Pretty much little else can spoil a holiday as efficiently as checking into a room that hasn't been cleaned properly, pulling back (virgin) sheets to find a handfull of someone elses pubic hair is likely to leave a slightly nasty taste in the mouth. If they do a job that's above and beyond basic cleaing I think that extra level of service deserves to be recognised. Coming back to the first question I quoted from , in Europe and most of the rest of the world, housekeeping is one area where tipping is expected for a reasonable job done.

 

[madthemouse]

I have to admit these boards are a great source for information. Not only can you learn how to save on your vacation to the Orlando area. But...after only reading the first five or six reply's, I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of cheap people on these boards.

Unbelievable !!!

 

[disneychrista]

I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of cheap people on these boards.

Why because we do not tip someone who is NOT IN A TIPPED POSITION?

 

[jmclester]

I have to admit these boards are a great source for information. Not only can you learn how to save on your vacation to the Orlando area. But...after only reading the first five or six reply's, I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of cheap people on these boards.

Unbelievable !!!

Signing off now....have a nice day.

 

[disneymom2one]

The bottom line for me is sharing our blessing. My husband is a college professor and I stay home with our autistic daughter. We have a great life that includes many trips to Disney. We always tip hotel maids because we just feel so incredibly fortunate to be able to travel. And even as poor graduate students we tipped if we stayed at a Day's Inn. Now fast forward 11 years and we'll be at AKL in a week or so. We'll definitely tip. Not because we have to but because we want to. We like sharing our blessings. We tip every day, usually between $2 and $3 a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. But we tip and we feel great doing it.

 

[hokiefan33]

I have to admit these boards are a great source for information. Not only can you learn how to save on your vacation to the Orlando area. But...after only reading the first five or six reply's, I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of cheap people on these boards.

Unbelievable !!!

That's nice. It's amazing the abilities you have, to glean that information after never having met the first 5 or 6 posters in person and surmising that they're cheap after reading a short post. You truly are impressive.

If you want to call "cheap" not tipping a position that is touted as a non-tipped position, and only tipping those working in tipped positions according to the level of service I receive, rather than to a level that other "non-cheap" people think is appropriate, regardless of service, then you can call me the cheapest person in the world, and I would be proud to say so.

 

[zalansky]

I have always skimmed over this topic but never replied and just wanted to throw my two cents into the mix. I had never heard of tipping housekeeping until I saw the topic on these boards long ago. I worked in an upscale Marriott hotel for 5 years and NEVER heard of this happening. After giving it some thought I agree with alot of the posters here. Housekeeping is not a tipped position. If we start tipping everyone, where will that leave us? I expect clean towels and my room to be made up when I am paying upwards of $149 or more a night at a Disney hotel and I wouldn't think of leaving additional money for a service I believe I already paid for in my hotel price.
And I know I am not a cheap person!! Sorry!!

 

[shatzjsl]

I'm just so happy that someone else is making the beds and wiping down the bathroom that I always tip them. It doesn't have to be much. A couple of dollars will let them know that they are appreciated.

 

[beattyfamily]

I always tip maid service at any hotel I stay at. They are doing a thankless job that I appreciate. I just tipped the cabin stewart on the Disney Cruise we went on in November who took care of my room which certainly IS a tipped postion, so IMHO, why not the mousekeepers at WDW?

To each his own but I tip mousekeeping because I was always taught to tip maid service and because I want to. I could care a less what Disney considers a tipped position.

 

[shatzjsl]

I could care a less what Disney considers a tipped position.

100% agree! It's just the right thing to do.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I beg to differ, I am a thrify person, NOT cheap! LOL Not everyone on these oards can afford to eat every meal at Victoria & Alberts. If you can, then God bless you. I am truly happy for you. Does not make a person better or worse if they can or cannot IMO. (notice I left out the humble)

I doubt that I would tip at a place that was costing me $150 or so a night (if I were to ever spend that much) cause I figure that they are earning enough to pay their staff well but I do give a couple of dollars to my Mousekeeper at the AS as I figure they are not being paid big bucks and besides I want to. If I did not I would not.

I enjoy reading the different opinons on things here. Is a true cross section of America and I learn a bunch. I might not always agree but I try to be agreeable about disagreeing.

There are people who ARE so cheap that they squeak and do not spend money for anything, going above and beyond all reason and then there are those who spend money they can ill afford on a vacation that they will be paying for forty years from now. The vast majority of us are somewhere in the middle, muddling through life the best we can and enjoying each others company as we spend our days discussing our Wonderland of Disney.

Do what cha wanna do and I'll do the same. As long as we are not hurting anyone is all good.

SG/Linda