Amazing how many posters appear not to have "got" the nancyz's point. I've done the 'discard' thing for several trips, and it works well. It doesn't mean you wander round Italy looking like an ill-dressed, ketchup-stained slob; but it does mean that on those days where you're stuck in a car all day travelling from Provence to the Dordogne, you can wear an old T-Shirt and throw it away after. No matter how updated you like to keep your wardrobe, there is always a need to keep older things for pottering, gardening etc. This is an ideal 'last fling' for these old, well-loved items. And yes, why not 1 nightie for 17 nights? What's wrong with dropping it along with other things at a laundry occasionally, and picking it up ready-to-wear later the same day? Or DIY of course.

We do this too although I leave what doesn't fit in the suitcases with a note to the maid to give it to anyone she knows who may have use for it.

Wow...you got some funny responses (and some venonmous ones too).

I have not thrown away clothing but I have sent home clothes via UPS or Fedex near the end of a trip. OK, it was to allow me enough suitcase space to take home several bottles of French wine, I admit....

er, thats "venomous"...I'd hate to be criticized for poor spelling, in addition to all the criticism I'll get for wasting money mailing my clothes home ;-)

KidsToLondon... I think THAT is a perfect idea! I shudder at the thought to wearing old clothes to Europe...personally. Then again, I remember when people "dressed up" to go on an airplane...to the ball park ... etc. I AM NOT going to go to Europe and dress like a slob. Hellsbells!
Leave my trash ...another ICK. I'm on the "no" side of this. I'd never backpack tho... my idea of camping out in the USofA is a Motel6...

is "obxgirl" short for obnoxious girl?

I still can't believe that people don't see what's offensive about leaving old clothes for the maid with a note "give it to anyone you know who could use it". Sort of like someone knocking on my door and saying, "you must have a lot of poor friends, here's some canned goods you can give them." I think it's insulting whether you're suggesting they need new "used" clothes or their "friends" do. Throw them in the trash or give them to a charity, but don't assume the maid is a handmaiden for the poor.

Interesting thread.

For me, this wouldn't really work. When I travel, I want to wear clothing that I think looks nice on me.

Clothing that I am ready to throw away or donate are in that pile because either they don't fit right, are out of style or are just worn.

If I'm not comfortable enough to wear them at home, I'm not going to pack them to travel with.

And I would not feel comfortable leaving clothing I no longer wanted in the room for housekeeping to dispose of for me with a note suggesting that someone else would want it.

I am so sorry for my post above. I was SEVERELY drunk last night after a party at a friend's house. I had forgotten to turn off my computer, and the Travel Talk page was pulled up when I came home. I don't know what go into me that would make me write something like that.

I would hope that Fodors deletes the post.

Sincerely,
John G.

I think I can understand the part about discarding clothes that still look nice and wearable - some people just don't wear things until they wear out.

But I am queasy at the thought of leaving a note on discarded clothing that hasn't been laundered.

I remember reading a report from the tsunami disaster complaining they were getting a lot of clothes that just weren't any good, and urging people to be more selective in what they sent.

John, I apologize for my rude reply to you. We live in a part of the country where those are fighting words. As soon as I hit the post button I regretted them. Sorry--

Ah, the dangers of drinking and posting. :)

I'm sure some of us have had the not-so-pleasurable experience of reading what we have posted the morning after. Darn- those fingers sure have a mind of their own, don't they? :D

I simply can't get with the idea either of wearing clothes I don't like enough to keep, or with leaving things behind for others to pick up after me, (FYI the hotel maid is not in the line of charity work).

For nancyz, I maintain no one has been hostile *towards* you, they just don't think this is such a spiffy idea as you do.

<I had a feeling before I started this thread it may be slightly controversial...> so I don't understand why you are surprised the outcome here.

LOL, I dunno JohnG... your posts usually always make me smile - you've a dry wit! "Ann Taylor the Olive Garden..." hahahahahahaha... I'm stealing that line.

ANd, stealing a wee tad of this thread... Sicily all set?

you know what they say about alcohol...your true self comes out....so...... :)

Only in answer to the title.

Gads, no !!!!

When an acquaintance told me about taking old Tshirts, underwear and socks to "leave behind" in order to travel more lightly, I thought it was icky.

Icky then. Icky now. After reading this thread I'm even more grossed out.

I'll stick with my trusty duffle stuck in the outside pocket of my suitcase. On the trip I use if for dirty clothes. Makes more room for goodies in my suitcase. If I have time/place to do laundry then I already have my washables together in a bag. At home, it's dropped in the laundry room as soon as I come in the door.

I have to wonder if maids have regulations against keeping left-behinds. Perhaps discarded clothes go to a lost and found and the hotel could donate them, but to ask a maid to do that? Doesn't seem right on any level. And insulting if you think the maid wants your worn (and dirty) cast-offs.

I think there are some incorrect assumptions here.

As for me, the black leather jacket I offered to the woman who cleaned my hotel room on Ischia was just bought 2 days before on a whim in Naples, and I realized after the fact it would be alot of hassle to fit it into my luggage. Therefore, it was not used, old, stained, or "crappy". I would be leaving it behind, and I asked her on my last day of she would care to have it-as a gift. She was grinning from ear to ear, and gave me a beautiful small ceramic pillbox in return. IT was chipped on one corner, but ours was a friendly and happy exchange. I have that pillbox on my dresser today, and it represents a nice, personal memory.

And for your information Patrick, that "maid" (where I live BTW, that word is no longer in use) and I went out together with 2 of her friends one evening to a restaurant where only locals go, I had a ball speaking Italian with them! She was a member of the family that owned and operated the hotel, and I was flattered by their invitation! But to you, I supposed she would have just seemed like "the maid". Too bad.

WAY back up this thread one person mentioned, and this I have done... you can mail clothes home mid-trip if they prove unnecessary, the weather is different than you expected, or you want to make room to carry more souveniers in your suitcase.

I have mailed clothes back ,and books, to make room for other things purchased but the postage is not inexpensive.