Do you tip housekeeping at DVC?

[jekjones1558]

Tipped positions are those where the employee is paid less then minimum wage on the assumption they will get tips.

This is not exactly true at Disney, at least. Bell service workers and mousekeepers both make about the same in wages, at least to start (found this on Disney's employment website). Neither is below minimum wage.
Tipping in the U.S.A. has become more a matter of custom and discretion than hard and fast rule. I think you would be hard pressed to find 2 people in this country who tip the same in every situation. So I respect the decision of those who choose not to tip mousekeeping and I expect the same respect for my decision that mousekeepers deserve tips. Besides, where would the debate be on these boards if we didn't have tipping threads on a regular basis?

 

[MiaSRN62]

While tipping is discretionary....you either believe in it or not, here are some guidelines (and housekeepers are listed). So while some here feel it's not a tipped position.....others feel the exact opposite as evident from these articles and guidelines (just for information reasons if anyone chooses to read them) :

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php


http://hotels.about.com/od/hotelsecrets/a/tipping_2.htm

http://www.betidy.com/trivtip.html

http://b.casalemedia.com/V2/67072/117553/index.html?www.essortment.com/all/propertippinge_rmuv.htm

(from this article) :

At a Hotel: It is standard to leave the maid a few bucks for tidying your room. If you have additional needs such as more towels, soap, an extra toothbrush, etc. thank the maid with an additional dollar or two. When checking in and out of a hotel, remember the bellhop with a gratuity of a dollar per bag, unless, once again, you have particularly large or heavy bags.


Overall, think before you tip. You don't want to regret the decision to be stingy at a later date. Like when you're hair's a mess and you really need the stylist to squeeze you in for an appointment, but you left such a small tip last time, that she won't make the time to make you look amazing this time.

http://www.123etiquette.com/tipping-etqiuette-tipping-guidelines.html (from this article) :

Now here is a TIP on who to TIP!

Hotels

Gratuities to hotel staff vary from location to location, usually depending on the size of the metropolitan area. Typically, however, you should give bellhops at least a dollar for each bag they carry (more if the bags are especially large, heavy, or awkward to carry), and more if they go above and beyond the call of duty to make your stay more pleasant. The standard tip for the maid is $1 to $10 per night. This, of course, depends a lot on the mess you make, the price of the room, and the extra services you request. The standard amount for the concierge is $5 to $10 depending on how helpful he or she was. If the concierge suggested and made reservations for you at a great restaurant, then you might tip more. Tips are not usually necessary for the doorman or the desk clerks, unless they do something out of the ordinary that you really appreciate.

There were many other resource sites indicating how much to tip hotel housekeepers, but I'll stop with the ones I've listed....otherwise this post will get pretty long..........

 

[OneMoreTry]

The messier we leave the condo, the more I tip.

 

[wedance6]

I did not tip on either of our 2 previous DVC stays and I do not plan to on any of our future stays either. We only stay 5-6 nights so all we get is a T&T service. Unless they forget to do it, I don't see how you differentiate "good" service from "bad" service....it's just "service".

I don't tip flight attendants, cashiers, my dentist or his hygienists, the drive thru server at McDonald's....the list goes on. These are workers who do the job that they are paid to do. Is it unglamourous sometimes? Sure, but it's their job. I work in EMS. I see and deal with things far more disgusting than a dirty toilet. Should I expect a tip because someone vomited on my stretcher and I have to clean it now? Surely, the next patient should also tip me because I took the time to wipe off the barf and apply disinfectant. (PLEASE NOTE: This is dripping with sarcasm and hyperbole)

Exactly!!! If we are tipping mousekeeping, how come no one tips your local janitor at the office, or park district for keeping the toilets clean. The mousekeepers are paid based on not recieving tips, as is most all other jobs. I like that you said you don't tip the attendant at the drive thru.
How come I don't get a tip when someone's child pees all over the costumes that they are dressing up in my dance class, and I have to take them home to wash. Again, unless they go above and beyond, which I have not expirenced yet, why should we tip someone who is doing their job just like everyone else in this world.

Oh the otherhand we never leave our room a disgusting mess, like some people might, and then if that's the case the mousekeeping should get an extra tip for the additional cleaning.

 

[kristenrice]

Oh the otherhand we never leave our room a disgusting mess, like some people might, and then if that's the case the mousekeeping should get an extra tip for the additional cleaning.

ITA! If my kids (or DH ) make a mess that I am unable to clean myself, I will certainly tip for the extra service. If I encounter something that requires housekeeping to perform over and above their job requirements, I will compensate them appropriately. I do not feel any obligation to tip them for coming in and emptying my trash and giving me clean towels. It's a 5 minute detail that I pay for through my maintenance fees.

I see so many posts of people complaining about the lack of cleanliness in their unit upon arrival. Is this related to people not tipping housekeeping or housekeeping just not doing their job? If you arrive and find a villa that requires some cleaning and you call housekeeping, should they be tipped for that "extra" service? IMO, they should have done it right the first time. What if they were tipped by the previous occupants upon check-out, then they did a sub-par job of cleaning and the new occupants called them to fix the problem? Hmmm...another tip in order? That's not really incentive to do it right the first time is it? Sorry, I am not trying to offend anyone. I guess I am just thinking out loud again.

 

[50 years Too!]

Since they cleaned the place for you before you came, I give $20 for a two bedroom (I throw away all "stuff", start the dishwasher and pick up first). If we get towels midpoint I tip $5.

Deb

 

[Ksp]

We often tip; if we are only there for 4 days, I probably won't tip. We always empty trash, wash dishes, gather dirty towels together, etc. before we leave. If we are there long enough for a full cleaning day, then I will usually leave a tip. I like the towel animals

 

[wedance6]

ITA! If my kids (or DH ) make a mess that I am unable to clean myself, I will certainly tip for the extra service. If I encounter something that requires housekeeping to perform over and above their job requirements, I will compensate them appropriately. I do not feel any obligation to tip them for coming in and emptying my trash and giving me clean towels. It's a 5 minute detail that I pay for through my maintenance fees.

I see so many posts of people complaining about the lack of cleanliness in their unit upon arrival. Is this related to people not tipping housekeeping or housekeeping just not doing their job? If you arrive and find a villa that requires some cleaning and you call housekeeping, should they be tipped for that "extra" service? IMO, they should have done it right the first time. What if they were tipped by the previous occupants upon check-out, then they did a sub-par job of cleaning and the new occupants called them to fix the problem? Hmmm...another tip in order? That's not really incentive to do it right the first time is it? Sorry, I am not trying to offend anyone. I guess I am just thinking out loud again.

BRAVO!!!!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

kristenrice : I see so many posts of people complaining about the lack of cleanliness in their unit upon arrival. Is this related to people not tipping housekeeping or housekeeping just not doing their job? If you arrive and find a villa that requires some cleaning and you call housekeeping, should they be tipped for that "extra" service? IMO, they should have done it right the first time. What if they were tipped by the previous occupants upon check-out, then they did a sub-par job of cleaning and the new occupants called them to fix the problem? Hmmm...another tip in order? That's not really incentive to do it right the first time is it? Sorry, I am not trying to offend anyone. I guess I am just thinking out loud again

wedance6 : BRAVO!!!!!!

Well, Kristenrice....you may have gotten a "bravo" from wedance, but no BRAVO from me......

I think the housekeeping troubles are far outweighed by the good jobs they do. Most people rush to report negative experiences so it's what we tend to hear about or remember.
We have consistantly gotten great service and rooms in great condition...as have our friends and family over the past 15 year. Most years we visited 2-3 times/year. Honestly, there was ONE experience that I heard from a friend who visits WDW as much as we do, and that was at POP. And POP greatly made up for the issue ( I believe it was 2 free dinners). But that is ONE incident in 15 years of trips---going 1/2/3x a year.

I think some people (not insinuating present company of course), just look for reasons not to tip. They try to rationalize things to suit their beliefs or feelings. And that's the beauty of free choice. We each are free to do what we feel in our heart and gut.

But the mousekeepers are not paid great for doing a tough job. I've witness mousekeepers that are 50+ years old lugging vacuum cleaners around or huge piles of linen up flights of stairs etc. Anyone who cleans up after me (washes out sinks that we've brushed our teeth in.....and bathtubs where we've showered all week......, scrubs toilets etc), is deserving of a buck or two from me. We're talking a couple bucks here for people who are making our vacations a much more enjoyable experience.

 

[jekjones1558]

MiaSRN62,
Bravo! It is the fact that mousekeepers serve us in such personal and private aspects of our vacation that earns my tip. Very different from tip jar at a fast food place, for instance. Mousekeepers are always so appreciative of any verbal recognition as well. There are few other times at WDW when my money brings more smiles--and that includes money spent on I!

 

[bobbiwoz]

...

I think some people (not insinuating present company of course), just look for reasons not to tip. They try to rationalize things to suit their beliefs or feelings. And that's the beauty of free choice. We each are free to do what we feel in our heart and gut.

But the mousekeepers are not paid great for doing a tough job. I've witness mousekeepers that are 50+ years old lugging vacuum cleaners around or huge piles of linen up flights of stairs etc. Anyone who cleans up after me (washes out sinks that we've brushed our teeth in.....and bathtubs where we've showered all week......, scrubs toilets etc), is deserving of a buck or two from me. We're talking a couple bucks here for people who are making our vacations a much more enjoyable experience.

These are the words that ring true to me. Thank you for expressing what I couldn't!

Bobbi

 

[jcemom]

I do usually tip housekeeping, but I can understand why some are saying they don't. Housekeeping is not a tipped position, they earn more than minimim wage. Are they well paid employees? I don't know what their pay is but I'd guess they're not well paid. Do they work hard? Most of them seem to.

The woman working at the convenience store I was in yesterday isn't well paid either though, and I'm not expected to tip her. The man who gave me my order at the Taco Bell drive through isn't well paid and I don't tip him. The cashier at the grocery store isn't well paid and I don't tip her either. Should I? Because they work hard and they're not well paid?

That line of thinking makes me understand why some don't tip housekeeping. Just because they're not well paid doesn't mean you should tip someone, right? If I went around tipping everyone I encountered who wasn't well paid then I'd be broke myself.

I used to work for minimum wage -- a convenience store clerk, at a movie theater concessions stand, at a fast food place -- and never received a tip. I worked hard and got all the dirty jobs that no one else wanted when I was newly hired. Still, I never got a tip.

So, I will probably continue to tip housekeeping, and others who don't feel they should probably will continue to not tip housekeeping. I can see both sides of the argument.

 

[MiaSRN62]

jcemom says :Housekeeping is not a tipped position

I guess we can keep going back and forth on this....but go to post #36. MANY sources state housekeeping is a "tipped position". I mean many. And reputable ones at that.

jcemom says : The woman working at the convenience store I was in yesterday isn't well paid either though, and I'm not expected to tip her. The man who gave me my order at the Taco Bell drive through isn't well paid and I don't tip him. The cashier at the grocery store isn't well paid and I don't tip her either. Should I? Because they work hard and they're not well paid?

Difference with all these positions is that they are not particularily doing a PERSONAL or private service for us (as jekjones also pointed out). THese people you mentioned are not cleaning up YOUR personal mess....your toilets/sinks/tubs etc while you are on vacation so you can have an enjoyable time.

I mean if you and others do not see the difference, that is fine. But there definitely is one. Housekeepers are attending to your special needs while you vacation. Otherwise, we'd all have to scrub our own bathrooms at DVC and clean everything....the kid at the Taco Bell could care less if I buy the Nacho Bell Grande from him. Housekeepers do a more personal service and it is considered a tipped position by many sources if you read through some of the links I provided. And I could have cited many more sources but I limited it to those in post 82. Maybe you and others don't feel it's a tipped position PERSONALLY, but many others do state it is. So I guess it's discretionary at best. But one cannot say it's not a tipped position imho when you see all these other guidelines out there that suggest what is customary to tip ?

But if you still feel the drive through guy provides the same service as the housekeeper who cleans your villa---then nothing else I say could convince you or others differently. Thanks for listening.

 

[tjkraz]

We usually do tip. (I say "usually" only because it's not something that is done as religiously as tipping a waitress, valet, etc., but we do try to remember.)

It's not that I feel tipping housekeeping is required, but a few dollars at the end of my $$$ Disney trip isn't going to break me. Hopefully it will help make someone else's day special.

I didn't read thru the entire thread but I cannot imagine that tipping is expected. I've never heard of it being universally expected in the hospitality industry. And Disney housekeepers do not make sub-minimum wages like waitstaff and many other tipped positions. Yes it's a dirty job but so are many others.

So we do usually tip and are very comfortable with that decision. But I do not look down my nose at anyone who decides not to tip. That's their prerogative.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I've never heard of it being universally expected in the hospitality industry.

Not sure if you read through any of the sources I cited in post 82 Tim ?


And no, housekeepers do not make subprime wages---but do people tip hair stylists as an example ? I always do as does just about everyone I know and they don't make below minimum either ? But again ....free choice.
To clarify, some sources used terms, when referring to tipping housekeepers, such as "customary", "standard" or "discretionary" if you read through some of those links. So I guess one could choose to believe or agree with whatever they choose. That is fine. No way everyone is going to be on the same page with this ever.

 

[jcemom]

I guess we can keep going back and forth on this....but go to post #36. MANY sources state housekeeping is a "tipped position". I mean many. And reputable ones at that.

Difference with all these positions is that they are not particularily doing a PERSONAL or private service for us (as jekjones also pointed out). THese people you mentioned are not cleaning up YOUR personal mess....your toilets/sinks/tubs etc while you are on vacation so you can have an enjoyable time.

I mean if you and others do not see the difference, that is fine. But there definitely is one. Housekeepers are attending to your special needs while you vacation. Otherwise, we'd all have to scrub our own bathrooms at DVC and clean everything....the kid at the Taco Bell could care less if I buy the Nacho Bell Grande from him. Housekeepers do a more personal service and it is considered a tipped position by many sources if you read through some of the links I provided. And I could have cited many more sources but I limited it to those in post 82. Maybe you and others don't feel it's a tipped position PERSONALLY, but many others do state it is. So I guess it's discretionary at best. But one cannot say it's not a tipped position imho when you see all these other guidelines out there that suggest what is customary to tip ?

But if you still feel the drive through guy provides the same service as the housekeeper who cleans your villa---then nothing else I say could convince you or others differently. Thanks for listening.

I tip them because people say I should, and because I'm nice. If I continue to think too much about it I just may stop tipping them.

The woman at the convenience store cleans far dirtier toilets than what I leave behind when I stay at DVC or any other hotel. My family is pretty darn neat on vacation. Have you ever visited convenience store restrooms? Blech.

The employees at gas stations, convenience stores and fast food places do clean dirty toilets. If I go in there and make a big mess (I don't, but if I did) then they would be cleaning my personal mess. No?

Housekeepers are doing me a service while I'm on vacation because it's their job. One they are paid to do. Just like the bus driver, the CM who checks me in, the CM who makes my reservation, the CM who works at the turnstiles, the custodial staff cleaning up at the parks, all of them. They all make my stay more enjoyable but I don't tip them all.

I don't think that just because their jobs require them to be in close personal contact with my stuff that I owe them extra money. Let me reiterate, I DO tip housekeeping. I don't think I should feel obligated to tip them because they clean my toilet. Disney pays them for that. If they don't like it they can go work at the convenience store up the street. They'll clean toilets there too and never get a tip, nor a higher salary. I'm not saying they don't deserve tips, just that the reasoning you gave is not flying with me. They clean my toilet therefore they deserve a tip. I don't think so.

I tip because I spend a lot of money on vacation and an extra $20 isn't a big deal. I tip because I know when I worked an untipped position and got an occasional tip it was very much appreciated. I tip because I like to be nice. I tip because I don't like to feel like a cheapskate. All of those reasons. Not just because they are doing their job.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Let me reiterate, I DO tip housekeeping. I don't think I should feel obligated to tip them because they clean my toilet. Disney pays them for that. If they don't like it they can go work at the convenience store up the street. They'll clean toilets there too and never get a tip, nor a higher salary. I'm not saying they don't deserve tips, just that the reasoning you gave is not flying with me. They clean my toilet therefore they deserve a tip. I don't think so.

Jcemom,
Just to clarify....I never said anyone was obligated to tip anyone.....never. I simply stated what I did as guidelines (via various resources and sources). I also stated various specifics as a way to show how I,personally, differentiate between tipping my DVC mousekeeper vs my dentist, the taco bell guy or all the other professions some of the posters listed. I don't see them all in the same category. That's all.

Jcemom.....if you read all my posts....I repeatedly state everyone has free choice to do what they feel in their heart/gut. I'm pretty sure I repeated this several times over and over. I won't get into other points you made....let's just say we can agree to disagree over a couple issues.
But I didn't want you to make it out like I insinuated anyone was obligated to tip because that's just not true. Never said or hinted that. Some online sources stated it was "standard" or "customary". I just cited those resources---those were not my words. I'm guessing your post was directed at me because you quoted me. Maybe it wasn't, but it came across that way. Peace

 

[jcemom]

Oops. Nope, didn't mean to insinuate that you ever stated everyone should feel obligated to tip or anything like that. The first part of my post was in response to yours, but not that part. That was just sort of tacked onto the end. I was typing my post in bits and pieces while doing other things. I shouldn't multitask, LOL.

 

[jana]

We do tip mousekeeping ( when we remember doesn't always happen) . It's a tough job and the pay is very poor.

I'm not sure it's fair to say that people look for reasons to excuse themselves from paying tips. While that may be true in some cases I think there are a lot of misconceptions. Hopefully I can shed some light on things and if people choose not to tip, that's their choice and right.

1) Mousekeepers earn about $7-7.25 per hour. Disney and other hotel chains can get away with that low wage because the tradition and expectation ( both from the employers and the employees) is that those low wages will be supplimented by tips.

2) At Disney Mousekeepers are expected to clean 16-20 regular hotel rooms per day ( That's bloody hard work), usually at DVC resorts they would do less rooms because some of the units are MUCH bigger.

3) Mousekeeping is a "grey area" for Disney as far as tips are concerned. Unlike restaurant servers where usually the tip is documented and reported (paid by credit card) most tips are cash and left in the room. It isn't designated as a "tipped" position because the paperwork would be vast, costly and impossible to track. HOWEVER unlike many other Disney positions where the CM is obliged to refuse tips, mousekeepers are allowed to accept tips. So to say mousekeeping is specifically not a tipped position isn't strictly correct. It is a position where tips are traditional, not guaranteed and due to the logistical auditing challenges Disney leaves it to the employees to make sure their tax returns are done correctly. IMHO it has much more to do with the employer not having to do paperwork than it does about whether tips are part of the position or not.

4) DVC mousekeepers get the same pay as regular Disney mousekeepers. If you think it is right to tip one, then you should tip the other. The amount you tip may reflect the different duties they perform. IMHO preparing a studio for a 4 day stay is about 30% of the work a daily clean for a regular room is for the same length stay, a 1 bed unit is about 50% of the work, a 2 bed about 80% and a 3 bed probably triple the work. Granted we don't get daily mousekeeping, but the units are a MUCH bigger initial job.

5) If DVC becomes known as a "non or low tipping" area of Disney it will get harder and harder to keep the good mousekeepers. The quality of the rooms cleanliness will decline, perhaps more importantly how quickly they become available will also decline.


I find the whole tipping situation a very odd one. I understand the history behind it, rewarding good service, however I think those good intentions have been high jacked. Partially when Uncle Sam got involved and started deciding they would tax people in tipped positions on the assumed amount they were tipped and partially when corporations saw it as a way for them to wriggle out of having to pay their staff a living wage. Generally tipping in many traditional areas has become expected not as a reward for exceptional service, therefore the level of service has declined, undermining the intentions/benefits of the system.
Saying that I believe, generally mousekeepers work harder than most people who do a similar job for other companies and most of them genuinely REALLY need their tips in order to be able to make ends meet. IMHO a mousekeeper is more deserving of a $20 tip for looking after my room for 3-4 nights than a buffet "server" is of a $40-50 tip for bringing a couple of sodas for the kids, taking the tops off a couple of bottles of wine, removing some dirty plates and bringing me a coffee with my bill.

 

[ont/ohana]

I like your statement Jana,
We always tip. Where we live min wage is over 8.00 and I know most can't live on that. I tip the pizza person, bell services, airport porters, ME drivers, etc.. I know it's only a couple of dollars, but when I figure i'm spending thousands, $25 a week in combined service tips is not bad, and it might make someone smile