I'm from RI and since we didn't do a lot of hotel stays with my parents, I had no idea to tip housekeeping. (I couldn't even tell you what anyone else I know does without doing my own poll!) Didn't even
think of it until one trip (of many) with DH where there was an envelope "To leave a tip for your housekeeper if you wish." I was mortified that perhaps I had missed out all those other times. But... with the exception of the (not cheap) inn in NH we stay at that adds $2/room/day to my bill for a "housekeeping tip", I have never seen any info in any of my hotel literature (and I'm an easily bored early riser who reads
all the papers on the desk in my room). Restaurants say "an 18% gratuity will be added to parties of _____ or more" all the time. Shouldn't they give us a head's up if housekeeping should be tipped?
I tend to keep our room
very neat. DDs put everything neatly aside into an extra chair, etc. where we do not sleep so that the beds can be made (we pull up all the covers anyway to look neat). Clothing is hung/drawered and bags & luggage put away. I put all the dirty towels in one neat pile or in the tub if requested. I
usually leave a tip if we are there more than 1 night because it is then a personal service to me (an obviously cleaned/straightened room) -- not just doing their job. I almost always seek out the housekeeper in the hall to say 'thank you so much, I really appreciate what a nice job you do'. That and
no tip has often gotten me extra soap, towels, etc. If tipping was mandatory, all chains would add it after
X nights stay or for "
larger parties". It isn't, you choose,
no guilt.
A waiter/waitress must bring the food, drinks, etc. to
do their job. They are not required to smile, bring refills when my glass is just about empty, extra napkins or glance to see what we need several times as they go by. But that is why I tip well for waitstaff. Don't even manage the bare bones and I'll tip less than 15%, but 20-25% is my norm for very good to exceptional service. The interaction for an extended time is what makes tipping them make sense to me. That and around here, most waitress jobs are still well under 1/2 minimum wage. They only have to guarantee that they can make minimum wage with tips added in. Great.
I agree, the couple of dollars we may leave for housekeeping is small, but it adds up to them. (Then again, that $4-5/night X 9 nights is a CS meal for us, and this trip is expensive!! I've cut out TS dinners to keep it reasonable.) Likewise, I'd rather leave $1 extra on my regular tip for my waiter/waitress if they are good because I won't miss the $1, but if every table tipped $1 more/night--wow! But I also don't pay $400 for my dinner for my family of 4. For that price, I expect the basics done to my room--and done well,
tip or not.
Bottom line--it's optional all the time. More courteous/expected in some circumstances than others. Appreciated in all.
)
