Do you tip Mousekeeping?

[DaisyD]

Sorry - not made it clear again! When you say ' I think it's wrong not to tip' that is your opinion which is fine - if everyone gives their opinions we can have a discussion. But if you say 'It is wrong not to tip' that is a statement of fact and you are saying that everyone who chooses not to tip is wrong - which is a different thing.

OIC. Well, it has been said time and time again that WDW maids are non tipped postion. It is up to the individual whether they want to abide by that. To not tip, to me is, in my opinion, wrong. How's that? Better? LOL!

Here is my official statement, like anyone cares, LOL!:

WDW's official position is that housekeepers are a non tipped position. I believe they are deserving of a tip for a job well done. To not tip, imo, is wrong.

 

[perla75]

What I was trying to say, probably not very well, is that there is a difference between saying 'I THINK it's wrong not to tip' which is your opinion and 'It IS wrong not to tip' which is a judgement - even if those words are not actually used that is sometimes the sense that comes across.

I'm still not sure from your arguement why housekeepers deserve tips and everyone else (except restroom attendants) don't - they all earn the same hourly rate and they all work hard to make guest's experience a pleasant one.

The personal service aspect is interesting - been thinking about that and why it is not seen as traditional to tip - say - nurses, who provide the most personal service. Yes we give them gifts at the end of a stay - but then usually to the nursing team as a whole. But would we think about giving them money? Certainly in the UK they are very poorly paid. Perhaps it's because we see them as professionals and therefore would be embarrassed to give money to someone we see as equal to or superior to ourselves. I certainly feel as though I'm being condescending when I press money into someone else's hand - as though I'm demeaning them in some way.

Exactly It is the unnecessary judgment that I find rude here-not the difference of opinion. It amazes me how many people think that they are qualified to make up social rules, make up their own exceptions for things, etc...when the #1 social rule should be "Don't judge!"

I agree with your nursing discussion. It's an interesting phenomenon, isnt it?

 

[dbriggsq]

OIC. Well, it has been said time and time again that WDW maids are non tipped postion. It is up to the individual whether they want to abide by that. To not tip, to me is, in my opinion, wrong. How's that? Better? LOL!

Here is my official statement, like anyone cares, LOL!:

WDW's official position is that housekeepers are a non tipped position. I believe they are deserving of a tip for a job well done. To not tip, imo, is wrong.

That's fine. My opinion is that tipping housekeeping is not necessary (although it seems to have become traditional) because they earn the same hourly rate as other castmembers at Disney who also work hard and do a good job and yet we don't see them as deserving of tips. My opinion is not that it is right not to tip but that it is not necessary.

So now we could have a discussion - let's talk! Why have so many traditions arisen in relation to tipping? Would it be better if people were paid a proper wage so that tipping wasn't necessary? Why do some people like tipping - how does it make them feel? Does tipping waitstaff make us feel that we can treat them badly? or not? etc.etc

 

[mom of princessx2]

I don't tip and I don't feel bad about it at all. I don't need to explain why I don't and no one needs to explain to me why they do. It is a personal choice with NO set rules.

 

[declansdad]

OIC. Well, it has been said time and time again that WDW maids are non tipped postion. It is up to the individual whether they want to abide by that. To not tip, to me is, in my opinion, wrong. How's that? Better? LOL!

Here is my official statement, like anyone cares, LOL!:

WDW's official position is that housekeepers are a non tipped position. I believe they are deserving of a tip for a job well done. To not tip, imo, is wrong.

Sorry if you have laready answered this but I haven't read the entire thread.

Do you tip regardless of what the mousekeeper does, or is it based on something?

 

[perla75]

That's fine. My opinion is that tipping housekeeping is not necessary (although it seems to have become traditional) because they earn the same hourly rate as other castmembers at Disney who also work hard and do a good job and yet we don't see them as deserving of tips. My opinion is not that it is right not to tip but that it is not necessary.

So now we could have a discussion - let's talk! Why have so many traditions arisen in relation to tipping? Would it be better if people were paid a proper wage so that tipping wasn't necessary? Why do some people like tipping - how does it make them feel? Does tipping waitstaff make us feel that we can treat them badly? or not? etc.etc

Good idea! I think people tip extra (meaning non-tipped positions) for several reasons. It sounded like some posters above are blessed with being in a good enough financial situation that they can afford to give a little extra as a way of saying thanks. I think some people tip extra because they are expecting extra treatment in return.

As for tipped employees (i.e. servers, bellhops), well it seems like this might be the only way to keep a restaurant up & running. My DF is a server in a high end restaurant & he says that if their servers all received a salary, they would have to increase the prices of the meals there just to stay afloat.

 

[Melora]

OP here...

Geez I am sorry I started a thread that sunk into an argument!

I had no idea this was such a hot topic.

I guess I will have to chalk it up with how old is too old for strollers, shoudl you take your child out of school to go to WDW and is it OK to have a drink (of liquor) after a day at the parks (another current argument on another forum).

I guess people feel like if other people don't feel the way they do then somehow it invalidates their opinion. I guess we should all be confidant enough in our own opinion to see that no matter what anybody else thinks, what we feel is right in our hearts and guts should be what we do.

 

[perla75]

OP here...

Geez I am sorry I started a thread that sunk into an argument!

I had no idea this was such a hot topic.

I guess I will have to chalk it up with how old is too old for strollers, shoudl you take your child out of school to go to WDW and is it OK to have a drink (of liquor) after a day at the parks (another current argument on another forum).

I guess people feel like if other people don't feel the way they do then somehow it invalidates their opinion. I guess we should all be confidant enough in our own opinion to see that no matter what anybody else thinks, what we feel is right in our hearts and guts should be what we do.

Yes, you can see that tipping is a very hot topic on these boards
I like your ending quote there & you are absolutely correct. That was a very nice way to end this discussion

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

OP here...

Geez I am sorry I started a thread that sunk into an argument!

I had no idea this was such a hot topic.

I guess I will have to chalk it up with how old is too old for strollers, shoudl you take your child out of school to go to WDW and is it OK to have a drink (of liquor) after a day at the parks (another current argument on another forum).

I guess people feel like if other people don't feel the way they do then somehow it invalidates their opinion. I guess we should all be confidant enough in our own opinion to see that no matter what anybody else thinks, what we feel is right in our hearts and guts should be what we do.

Bravo, Well said.

 

[copperbrick]

You sound like a very generous person I wish I could afford to be as generous financially.

We always make a point to jot down the names of CM's who were especially helpful or who added to our magic at WDW. When we get home, we write a letter to WDW & awknowledge these CM's as being outstanding. I've heard from other CM's on here, that WDW actually does read these letters & recognize these individuals by posting their names in a staff newsletter &/or taking it into consideration when it comes to promotions, raises, staff appreciation, etc...

You are wonderful and have inspired me. Thank you.

 

[copperbrick]

I'm like you. Until I came to this board I had never even heard of tipping mousekeeping either. Many individuals do say that tipping mousekeeping is the 'right' thing to do and that's fine for them. I will make my own decision about whether it's the 'right' thing for me to do or not. I haven't stayed in a hotel since I started reading these boards about tipping, so I'll decide before my next stay at Disney if I tip mousekeeping or not. I do believe it's an individual choice.

Just a note that tipping housekeeping is considered appropriate everywhere, not just Disney.

 

[copperbrick]

i always tip - never use to - it never occurred to me until I was on these boards, but once I thought about it, I started tipping. I also seem to have a higher number of towel animals than others. Are those things related? I don't know....

interesting! we received one towel animal after 9 nights, but we might have had different Mousekeepers. We were happy either way.

 

[copperbrick]

I never thought of tipping either but on my next trip (Nov. 2009) I definitely will as long as the service is better than just good.

Also may wait until end of trip and tip once.....

Also a good way to try my hand at DISigning some mousekeeping envelopes!!

Tip per day. Mousekeeping differs from day to day. You also want to be knows as someone who tips. : )

 

[olivia's mommy]

We just came back and tipped EVERY single day when we were there and NEVER got one towel animal...there was a mickey the first day we were there and that was it. I was pretty disappointed because after reading about the towel animals on these boards, I was fully expecting to get something...but our room was nice and clean so I shouldn't really complain!

 

[perla75]

We just came back and tipped EVERY single day when we were there and NEVER got one towel animal...there was a mickey the first day we were there and that was it. I was pretty disappointed because after reading about the towel animals on these boards, I was fully expecting to get something...but our room was nice and clean so I shouldn't really complain!

Towel animals are completely dependent upon which mousekeeper you get, not how much/often you tip. We tipped $5/day every day during our last vacation & we did a split stay (so two different resorts with two different rounds of mousekeepers) & aside from the standard "welcome towel animals" that I think everyone gets upon arrival, we didn't get any more. It was fine & I was more than satisfied with our mousekeepers, but tipping does not seem to affect getting one.

If you have kids, you may want to just leave a note and ask the mousekeeper if he/she will make you one if you really want one for them.

 

[perla75]

You are wonderful and have inspired me. Thank you.

and you as well.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

I had never considered tipping a maid until we were delegates to a convention where all of our expenses were paid and we were given money for tipping the bellhops and maids. That was about 30 years ago. Now we always tip. I have a friend who cleaned rooms in her own little motel and she said that about 40% of the people staying tip. Needless to say that when we travel with them she leaves at least $5 per night. I usually leave $2 to $4 per night.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

We always tip. Our room is never messy and on the last trip the mousekeeper told my DH to tell me to stop picking up and let something for them to do. She was our mousekeeper all week and she was so wonderful.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I think they deserve a tip if they do their job. They work so hard for so little money. Everyone tips so many other people, many of which barely do anything, so why not the mousekeepers!?

We tip $1-2 per day per person, based on how much of a mess we make I also leave little thank you notes, so they know I appreciate them.

Same here! I tip even if they didn't do a great job because the ones who have to clean up your mess are probably not the same ones who left it a mess you may have found when you arrived (as we did this last trip), so it isn't fair to punish them -- not to mention they get paid so little and it is such a small amount considering how much you paid for this vacation, that it is just mean not to tip.

I have also split the tip between the trash and towel day and the final day before, as they are probably not the same people.

 

[perla75]

Same here! I tip even if they didn't do a great job because the ones who have to clean up your mess are probably not the same ones who left it a mess you may have found when you arrived (as we did this last trip), so it isn't fair to punish them -- not to mention they get paid so little and it is such a small amount considering how much you paid for this vacation, that it is just mean not to tip.

I have also split the tip between the trash and towel day and the final day before, as they are probably not the same people.

You tip even when they don't do a great job??? No offense, but what a way to reinforce a poor work ethic!

You guys should really watch that show Dirty Jobs (on TLC I think)-there are WAY worse jobs out there than a Disneyworld housekeeper!