Tipping at hotels

[PrincessKitty1]

The poster just pointed out a fact. No need to get rude.
OP, in hotels in general (I´ve never stayed in a Disney hotel before) we usually tip $1 per person each day and then we leave a bit more on our last day since we usually leave quite a mess (in terms of endless shopping bags, shoe boxes, etc.)

The poster says it's a fact, but I've never heard ANYWHERE else that mousekeeping is "not supposed to accept tips." Itip at every hotel; I don't know why Disney would be different.

 

[webster76]

I like to tip because of the good service I've gotten - not because I'm expected to. I have a son waiting tables this summer. He doesn't get minimum wage and so hopes to get a fair tip. I know he's a hard worker and a very personable young man. My other son is working at a car wash and and also doesn't get minimum wage as they expect the kids to get tips to make up the difference. I know he works very hard too. My Dad was always a great tipper-he even tipped the bus boy in case the waiter didn't! I guess it bothers me more when a gratuity is added on instead of my being able to add what I want - in proportion to the service I received. I almost always tip 20% for good service and less if I feel the waiter was not up to par. I don't ever tip a waiter less because of the food quality as he didn't prepare it. BUT , I do expect him to be attentive (not overbearing) as to my needs during my meal. This is a people person type job and if that's not your personality then maybe you should be in some other kind of business. I , for one, couldn't wait tables as I would rather work alone or with just one or two other people. Some people are GREAT at this type of job and make our dining experience so enjoyable.Just my humble opinion.

 

[Goofy22]

Hey the mousekeeping envolopes , does anyone know where to find them?
I know there used to be a link

If you goto the grooviest pop century thread there on post one read it and there is a link to the mousekeeping envelopes etc... that's one spot I definitely know it is!

 

[Goofy22]

The poster says it's a fact, but I've never heard ANYWHERE else that mousekeeping is "not supposed to accept tips." Itip at every hotel; I don't know why Disney would be different.

I have heard it stated before but someone that worked as a mousekeeper stated that they were aloud to accept tips if it was offered (marked housekeeper etc....) so I definitely believe it is a conflicting matter maybe if not sure ask when you check in! I am tipping either way! I was never a housekeeper or mousekeeper and whether it is a tipped or non-tipped position shouldn't matter . If the mousekeeper takes good care of me during my stay she deserves a tip!! ( My Opinion she is not just doing her job lots go over and above what they have too!)

 

[smidgy]

I I tend to overtip. :

as a bartender/waitress, I say "is there such a thing?"

Housekeeping is a non -tipped position at Disney - the cost of housekeeping is included in your room rate - the housekeepers are not supposed to accept tips so by offering them you are putting them in a difficult position.

um, the little card with the mousekeepers name on it?

Mousekeeping is a tipping position.

And I disagree with the person who said don't feel obligated to tip. (I know tipping is very different in the UK, but we're dealing with America here.) If you get good service, you should tip. These people work very hard for less than minimum wage, and depend on their tips. The only time I withhold tips is when I don't get good service.

As far as I am concerned, tips should be worked into your budget. If you can't afford to tip, don't go. You're harming the people who can least afford it otherwise.

well said

I looked up your recent posts and the majority of your posts since April are about tipping.
It almost sounds like you are trying to convince yourself that it is okay to not tip.

how do you do this... look up recent posts?

 

[smidgy]

ok, I am a tipper! but here's my weird situation: we don't really like to have maid service every day. I know, strange. It's just hubby and me and we don't care about towel animals, etc. I don't need my sheets changed but once a week. I find a mousekeeper with a cart, and ask for shampoo etc, garbage bags for the week. (and often they leave a "care package" bag on the door knob) the end of stay tip goes to the girl who cleans the room at the end of stay. why? we spend a lot of time at the resorts, not just the parks. I don't like to be bothered if I am sleeping in in the morning, or changing into bathing suits during the day, or just "taking a midday break". (It IS just hubby and me doesn't always work.... sometimes you put the "do not disturb sign" on the doorknob and they knock anyways, disturbing you to make sure you don't want to be disturbed!
on another note, I never thought of this until the last trip. does anyone leave a tip for the maids at the motel 6, days Inn, etc. on the drive there and back? I mentioned it to hubby last time and he siad. "hmmm, never thought about that" so we did.

to the poster who thinks the way it works in the US, where waiters, etc get less than minimum wage and depend on tips. I waitress. If the restaurant had to pay me more to make up the difference, the price of the entrees would rise and you would, in a sense, still be "tipping", it would just be mandatory.
T.I.P. = To Insure Prompt Service. but, I digress.

 

[dbriggsq]

Sorry guys - didn't mean to be rude or 'preachy'.

The OP was stressing about how much she 'should' leave for housekeeping - what I was say was that one point of view was that it wasn't absolutely necessary and not everyone has to do it.

Yes I am rather passionate about the whole subject of tipping. I would rather live in a world where everyone gets a fair wage for a good job done and not have to rely on hand outs from the public. If that meant that prices would have to go up I would much rather pay for something up front than stress over how much to pay this person/that person etc - it's all very confusing.
Also if you're giving a tip to housekeeping before they've even serviced the room then how is that a 'tip' surely it's more like a 'bribe'

I must be strange because the whole feeling of giving a tip just makes me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed - I feel like 'hey I've got this much money and you're not getting it until you do a good job' - that's not really it but I don''t know how to describe the feeling. I don't think it's because I'n not generous - I love giving gifts - but then they are gifts - not payments for services.

I think I keep posting because I hope someone will feel the same as me - maybe it's time to have a look at the way we treat employees/people - not have them work as 'servants' but professionals. So far I seem to be out on a limb.

Note to self: stop reading posts about tipping - it will only make you cross!!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

You're quite right I do have a thing about tipping. I believe that in any civilized society no-one should be paid less than the minimum wage in the hope of their employers that the public will make up the difference. I believe that tipping is old fashioned and out dated and employees should be paid a fair wage for a fair job and not have to rely on hand outs from the public.

I TOTALLY agree with you, but the fact is, we don't live in the ideal world that you and I envision. The fact is, people DO make lousy wages, and they DO need tips to survive. To refuse to tip because you don't think you should have to is very short-sighted. I agree that if a person can't afford to tip, they can't afford to eat out, stay at hotels, etc. Tipping is an ethical obligation whether we agree with the concept of tipping or not.

 

[dbriggsq]

I TOTALLY agree with you, but the fact is, we don't live in the ideal world that you and I envision. The fact is, people DO make lousy wages, and they DO need tips to survive.

From what I understood (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!) housekeepers make the same hourly rate as cast members in the parks, retail outlets etc. Why then are we expected to tip housekeepers and not these others - I've had castmembers go 'above and beyond' so should I have tipped them - if not , why not and if I did would they have accepted? Just another thought.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

From what I understood (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!) housekeepers make the same hourly rate as cast members in the parks, retail outlets etc. Why then are we expected to tip housekeepers and not these others - I've had castmembers go 'above and beyond' so should I have tipped them - if not , why not and if I did would they have accepted? Just another thought.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe I read a year or two ago that WDW now contracts out for housekeeping services; they're supplied by an outside company.

I'm not going to argue with you about tipping, though. You know tipping is customary but you decline to do it, stating you can't afford it. I don't understand how someone could make a huge family trip (aren't you coming from overseas?) and then claim they can't afford to tip mousekeeping. I know I can't afford an overseas trip, period, but I always manage to fit tipping into my budget.

 

[goofypooh]

I like to tip because of the good service I've gotten - not because I'm expected to. I have a son waiting tables this summer. He doesn't get minimum wage and so hopes to get a fair tip. I know he's a hard worker and a very personable young man. My other son is working at a car wash and and also doesn't get minimum wage as they expect the kids to get tips to make up the difference. I know he works very hard too. My Dad was always a great tipper-he even tipped the bus boy in case the waiter didn't! I guess it bothers me more when a gratuity is added on instead of my being able to add what I want - in proportion to the service I received. I almost always tip 20% for good service and less if I feel the waiter was not up to par. I don't ever tip a waiter less because of the food quality as he didn't prepare it. BUT , I do expect him to be attentive (not overbearing) as to my needs during my meal. This is a people person type job and if that's not your personality then maybe you should be in some other kind of business. I , for one, couldn't wait tables as I would rather work alone or with just one or two other people. Some people are GREAT at this type of job and make our dining experience so enjoyable.Just my humble opinion.

ITA!! DH & I are both good tippers, but what bothers me the most is when people act like a tip is expected! We have a local ice cream shop where you have to walk up to the window to order your ice cream & they have a tip cup at the window. Another restaurant I sometimes eat at....where you walk through the line to order, carry your own food to the table, and get your own drink.....has a tip cup at the register. Before you know it, there will be a tip cup at the window at drive-thru restaurants! Now going to WDW is totally different & I always plan to tip the appropriate CMs while I am there. But I do not feel obligated to tip when I go somewhere where no one is going above & beyond for me.

 

[earthelves]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe I read a year or two ago that WDW now contracts out for housekeeping services; they're supplied by an outside company.

I'm not going to argue with you about tipping, though. You know tipping is customary but you decline to do it, stating you can't afford it. I don't understand how someone could make a huge family trip (aren't you coming from overseas?) and then claim they can't afford to tip mousekeeping. I know I can't afford an overseas trip, period, but I always manage to fit tipping into my budget.

This Is A Very Intresting Topic..I Have Visited Disney Many Times & Never Stayed "On Property" I Got A Good Rate For AKL CL In Sept So We Will Be Staying There & Very Much Looking Forward To It Also I'm Heading Back At Xmas Staying At WL Deluxe Suite(Paying Rack Rate For That) I Come From The U.K Where Here It's Not "The Norm" To Be Tipping Room Maid's But Will I Do It While I'm Staying "On Property" You Bet I Will I Feel If I Can Afford To Be Staying "On Property" Then I Can Afford To Be "Tipping" For A Service That Probably Isn't A Well Paid Position,Just My 2 Cents Worth For Whatever It's Worth

 

[webster76]

I agree with Goofypooh about those who expect a tip. What makes me crazy is when you're at a sit down restaurant (and I don't go to expensive sit downs!) and the waiter asks me if I want change! That to me is some one expecting a tip. All they need to do is bring back my change and then I will decide. Yes , if they're busy it would save them a trip back to my table but I feel this is very presumptious on their part . If I need change (smaller bills for a tip) I ask up front. I would like to think they are asking for that purpose but I've had waiters NOT come back with my change at all , assuming they get it. Sorry for the ranting... I guess that's a pet peeve with me. Be polite, personable and at least moderatively attentive and you will get a good tip from me every time.

 

[dbriggsq]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe I read a year or two ago that WDW now contracts out for housekeeping services; they're supplied by an outside company.

I'm not going to argue with you about tipping, though. You know tipping is customary but you decline to do it, stating you can't afford it. I don't understand how someone could make a huge family trip (aren't you coming from overseas?) and then claim they can't afford to tip mousekeeping. I know I can't afford an overseas trip, period, but I always manage to fit tipping into my budget.

I'd be interested to see if anyone has a definitive answer on what housekeeper's hourly rate is compared to other cast members - anyone?

As for it being customary to tip housekeeping - Tipping housekeeping is an age-old custom, but it is not expected at Disney. If you feel it's unnecessary, don't feel obligated. - this is from Passporter - and nowhere on the official Disney site can I find anything about tipping housekeeping - wait staff, bell boys, valet parkers yes, but not housekeeping.

Now I don't want to argue about it either because it's a matter of personal opinion so this had better be my last post on the subject.

But to say we shouldn't go to Disney if we can't afford to tip housekeeping - around $250 for our stay (on top of the $600 set aside for tips at restaurants and the several $1,000s for hotels, tickets etc - this would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back )- I think is a bit harsh.

And my only 'moral' obligation in giving is to my Church which I honour. A gratuity is "a small amount of money freely given for a service" - in our case it's not a small amount of money and it's compulsary and not freely given.

Change has got to start somewhere and if we can talk about it objectively and not judgementally then it might be a small beginning.

 

[snykymom]

For those who believe that you're tipping "in advance" of a service - well, not really. After all, when you checked in your room was clean, beds made, fresh towels, soaps, etc. put in the room, right? Well, the tip you leave in the morning is for the service received the day before. And so on.

I've never really thought about tipping every day. I've never tipped every day at any hotel I've stayed at for more than one day. I tip at the end of the stay (and then, BTW, I know how well I've been treated!). I assume that housekeepers share the tips with each other; at least that's what I've been told by those who have been housekeepers. After all, they work together, and if someone's "hoarding tips", it'll become well known after a while!

does anyone leave a tip for the maids at the motel 6, days Inn, etc. on the drive there and back? I mentioned it to hubby last time and he siad. "hmmm, never thought about that" so we did.

Always. Anywhere, even for a one night stay. Someone cleaned up before I came and will clean up after I leave, so they deserve a tip.

Would I prefer a world in which housekeepers, waiters & waitresses, etc. didn't have to rely on the "kindness of strangers" to earn a decent wage? Sure. But that's not the world we live in. And until management decides to change things, I'm not going to take it out on the poor folks just trying to earn a living.

And until Disney puts signs in the rooms saying "Thank you, but tipping is not permitted" (as I've seen done elsewhere), I'll continue to tip the person who cleans out my toilet!

 

[ICF]

For those who believe that you're tipping "in advance" of a service - well, not really. After all, when you checked in your room was clean, beds made, fresh towels, soaps, etc. put in the room, right? Well, the tip you leave in the morning is for the service received the day before. And so on.

I think I'd have to disagree with that statement. Using that logic, you're tipping them for cleaning up someone elses mess. That makes no sense.

I think paying $100+ a night in most cases, means you should have a clean room when you check in.

Would I prefer a world in which housekeepers, waiters & waitresses, etc. didn't have to rely on the "kindness of strangers" to earn a decent wage? Sure. But that's not the world we live in. And until management decides to change things, I'm not going to take it out on the poor folks just trying to earn a living.

According to this site, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372012.htm the NATIONAL average for hotel housecleaners is $9.04 or $18,800 a year so on average, they are making well above minimum wage. They aren't waiters making a couple of bucks an hour.

 

[tiger4me2]

I agree with Goofypooh about those who expect a tip. What makes me crazy is when you're at a sit down restaurant (and I don't go to expensive sit downs!) and the waiter asks me if I want change! That to me is some one expecting a tip. All they need to do is bring back my change and then I will decide. Yes , if they're busy it would save them a trip back to my table but I feel this is very presumptious on their part . If I need change (smaller bills for a tip) I ask up front. I would like to think they are asking for that purpose but I've had waiters NOT come back with my change at all , assuming they get it. Sorry for the ranting... I guess that's a pet peeve with me. Be polite, personable and at least moderatively attentive and you will get a good tip from me every time.

LOL I agree I really don't like it when the waiter or waitress takes your money & ask do you need change? Well if I didn't want change I would be leaving after giving her or him the money & telling them no change needed. This reminds me of when we ate at Lums many moons ago when my son was 5 yrs old & he wanted to take the money up to the waitress. He came back & we asked where is our change as we told him to ask for the change but she didn't give it to him. We asked her when we saw her again for our change. She said your son didn't ask for change. Duh my son was only 5 & I know he asked as I saw him talking to you while you took the money. I wasn't about to leave a $15 tip. So the manager came by & asked what was wrong told him & he said here is a coupon to come back & eat or do you want this meal free. I said didn't want anything just for the wait staff not assume they are getting a tip. That is up to us not them. And not to take advantage of a young kid like she did. He gave us a coupon anyhow. But better than what he did to a bunch of bikers with tattoos. I nearly died but they thought it was funny as anything & cute that he had the nerve to walk up to them & ask. I was walking with him but he pulled away to ask them & to look at their tattoos. He told them they had more than his Dad's lol. Ended up they paid for our meal as they thought it was neat that a 5 yr old would talk to them & not be afraid of them. Oh well.

I have no problem about leaving a tip for the house keepers at Disney, they work hard in some rooms. We kept our rooms clean well I do Dh is sometimes a slob but on par they don't have to do much.

For anyone if you don't want housekeeping call them & they will leave you alone no knocks on doors. One time while in Mexico I had the don't distrub sign on door for 3 days as I was sick. The third day the manager of resort called & asked if anything was wrong. Told him I was feeling under the weather didn't need housekeeping. He sent up some drinks & crackers & some soup for me which I thought was nice. Guess he didn't want to find a dead person in room

 

[MinnieNurse]

Oh boy...Here we go again

BTW...we tip $5 a day. I was a mousekeeper back in the mid 90's so I tip.

So you tell us-are they allowed to accept tips. I read on another thread they have to turn it all in and then it is split to buy things for the whole group. I have always tipped but would like to think the person I left the tip for actually was able to keep it.

 

[dbriggsq]

I think I'd have to disagree with that statement. Using that logic, you're tipping them for cleaning up someone elses mess. That makes no sense.

I think paying $100+ a night in most cases, means you should have a clean room when you check in.



According to this site, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372012.htm the NATIONAL average for hotel housecleaners is $9.04 or $18,800 a year so on average, they are making well above minimum wage. They aren't waiters making a couple of bucks an hour.

Thanks for that - interesting.

 

[dustyraye]

What would an internet message board be if people didn't post false or exaggerated information in an attempt to make a point?

OK, for what it is worth, here's my two cents...

I am generally a decent tipper, whether it is waitstaff or housekeeping, and the amount of my tip varies depending on the level of service. I totally agree that you should not feel like you have to tip a stated amount regardless of the service given (like a "$2 per person per day" rule). However, I disagree with the idea that housekeepers don't deserved to be tipped, because "a clean room is what you are paying for."

I'm sure we have all stayed in rooms where housekeeping had done the bare minimum, and it is not pleasant. I appreciate it when housekeeping does a thorough job, and I am hopeful that the incentive of making a few bucks extra per hour over their regular pay rate may push someone into going above and beyond the basics.

Yes, I work really hard during the year to save and be able to afford a nice vacation. But to be perfectly blunt, if I can afford the cost of a WDW vacation (including airfare, hopper passes, and staying on-site), then it is simply ridiculous to say that I can't afford an extra $2 per day for the person who cleans my toilet every day. Trust, me, if it wasn't cleaned properly every day, I would miss that much more than I would miss that midafternoon snack that I spent the $2 on instead....

Oh, and regarding the idea of writing a complimentary letter about a CM (whether it is housekeeping or another area), I think that is a wonderful idea. It can really help someone's career to have compliments in their personnel files.