Paris tipping hotel maids
Jul 27th, 2015, 10:03 AM
#63
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<Is there anyone here who believes some of this made up garbage people come up with here?>
I hope not. Lots of posing and twaddle, as usual.
Justine, I do not tip for bad service. I also can't remember the last time I received bad service in the US--truly. I also don't pity servers (or waiters, as you prefer). I know that beacuse tipping is so ingrained in the US, they end up making
I wish I could say the same for Europe. Perhaps the waiter in Cologne who ignored us for half an hour was afraid we would try to tip him and therefore stayed away. Who knows? I don't actually think tipping, or the absence of it, is the issue when bad service happens, or doesn't.
I hope not. Lots of posing and twaddle, as usual.
Justine, I do not tip for bad service. I also can't remember the last time I received bad service in the US--truly. I also don't pity servers (or waiters, as you prefer). I know that beacuse tipping is so ingrained in the US, they end up making
I wish I could say the same for Europe. Perhaps the waiter in Cologne who ignored us for half an hour was afraid we would try to tip him and therefore stayed away. Who knows? I don't actually think tipping, or the absence of it, is the issue when bad service happens, or doesn't.
Jul 27th, 2015, 11:56 AM
#68
I certainly understand why you are disappointed with Europe, NewbE. Frankly, it is not a problem for me.
Perhaps your use of the word "obsessed" should be reversed and sent back to you since you do not accept European customs, though. It is particularly distressing when one person feels that he should transform Europe into a culture that suits his own opinion rather than accepting that mores are variable around the planet.
Perhaps your use of the word "obsessed" should be reversed and sent back to you since you do not accept European customs, though. It is particularly distressing when one person feels that he should transform Europe into a culture that suits his own opinion rather than accepting that mores are variable around the planet.
Jul 27th, 2015, 12:24 PM
#71
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<i><font color=#555555>"no hotel in France could receive a 3, 4 or 5 star rating if it does not have an elevator."</font></i>
Unfortunately, you're wrong. Even though you pose on this board as an authority on all things French, some of us know better.
I recently stayed at a fabulous and famous 4-star boutique property in France for a business trip. They are not permitted to install an elevator because of the regulations protecting their building's historical status. This regulation applies to many hotels across France and throughout Europe.
Now, in fairness, my hotel did offer porter service, and my party did not have to ask for it. Since several of our rooms were on the 3rd floor, with breathtaking views, we appreciated not having to schlep heavy bags after an overnight flight up four flights of ancient stone stairs. Our porter had no difficulty accepting our gratuity, and we were very grateful for his energy and his service.
Speaking of tipping, I left a 5€ gratuity on my bed for my housekeeper, but it was there on my nightstand when I had returned to my room. Later in the day, over lunch, I asked the hotel manager if they had a no-tipping policy, and she said, of course not.
"All staff members are permitted to receive tips, they are always appreciated, but members of housekeeping are not permitted to take money left on any surface in the rooms, unless the room is scheduled for check-out," which mine was not.
I explained that I figured as much, so I went down to the lobby desk and asked for a gratuity envelope. All they had were business envelopes for standard business letters. Since my conversation with the hotel manager was about service, I told her that some hotels offer small gratuity envelopes in each room, and they also offer small placards in the room identifying the housekeeper by name. I told her, as a customer who cares about high quality service, I sincerely appreciate a hotel who makes it easy for me to give a gratuity in a tasteful, considerate manner. I also appreciate writing the name of the recipient on the envelope, especially if I'm not in the room when the person arrives or leaves to introduce myself. The hotel manager said my idea was perfect and that she would institute it immediately.
<i><font color=#555555>"I love the term "hospitality business" -- so hypocritical! In a true condition of hospitality, nobody has to bribe people to do things."</font></i>
Hospitality to strangers, especially those conducting business, is a business, so I fail to see any hypocrisy. The comment is silly. And given how you feel about vacation rentals in France, I'm not surprised you view gratuities as a "bribe."
Unfortunately, you're wrong. Even though you pose on this board as an authority on all things French, some of us know better.
I recently stayed at a fabulous and famous 4-star boutique property in France for a business trip. They are not permitted to install an elevator because of the regulations protecting their building's historical status. This regulation applies to many hotels across France and throughout Europe.
Now, in fairness, my hotel did offer porter service, and my party did not have to ask for it. Since several of our rooms were on the 3rd floor, with breathtaking views, we appreciated not having to schlep heavy bags after an overnight flight up four flights of ancient stone stairs. Our porter had no difficulty accepting our gratuity, and we were very grateful for his energy and his service.
Speaking of tipping, I left a 5€ gratuity on my bed for my housekeeper, but it was there on my nightstand when I had returned to my room. Later in the day, over lunch, I asked the hotel manager if they had a no-tipping policy, and she said, of course not.
"All staff members are permitted to receive tips, they are always appreciated, but members of housekeeping are not permitted to take money left on any surface in the rooms, unless the room is scheduled for check-out," which mine was not.
I explained that I figured as much, so I went down to the lobby desk and asked for a gratuity envelope. All they had were business envelopes for standard business letters. Since my conversation with the hotel manager was about service, I told her that some hotels offer small gratuity envelopes in each room, and they also offer small placards in the room identifying the housekeeper by name. I told her, as a customer who cares about high quality service, I sincerely appreciate a hotel who makes it easy for me to give a gratuity in a tasteful, considerate manner. I also appreciate writing the name of the recipient on the envelope, especially if I'm not in the room when the person arrives or leaves to introduce myself. The hotel manager said my idea was perfect and that she would institute it immediately.
<i><font color=#555555>"I love the term "hospitality business" -- so hypocritical! In a true condition of hospitality, nobody has to bribe people to do things."</font></i>
Hospitality to strangers, especially those conducting business, is a business, so I fail to see any hypocrisy. The comment is silly. And given how you feel about vacation rentals in France, I'm not surprised you view gratuities as a "bribe."
Jul 27th, 2015, 01:42 PM
#72
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<< Upper class families would tip the serving staff of a host family they visited. Then we had huge hang ups as to where we were placed in society.
Now we don't.
We don't feel a need to condascend somebody cleaning our room with a e5 tip.>>
And that is exactly why tipping is often considered humiliating.
Now we don't.
We don't feel a need to condascend somebody cleaning our room with a e5 tip.>>
And that is exactly why tipping is often considered humiliating.
Jul 27th, 2015, 02:02 PM
#73
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Why is tipping condescending? I don't necessarily feel the need to tip hotel maids but when someone goes out of their way for me, something beyond what they needed to do, it's nice to give them "thanks" for their trouble... like telling the bartender something like "plus one for yourself." It's a friendly gesture. Nothing more.
Americans generally are not the ones obsessed with who belongs to upper or lower classes. At some point most of us work for a living and know that we like receiving appreciation for what we do.
Americans generally are not the ones obsessed with who belongs to upper or lower classes. At some point most of us work for a living and know that we like receiving appreciation for what we do.
Jul 27th, 2015, 02:12 PM
#75
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Frankly when someone doesn't tip because it would be "humiliating" for the recipient, it just seems like trying to justify being cheap. When is the last time you heard someone say "I wish I didn't have to accept tips. I'd be so much prouder if I only made half as much as I do"? Especially in a culture where tipping is the norm, the idea that tips are humiliating is beyond absurd.
Jul 27th, 2015, 02:54 PM
#77
I think that I should be tipped for being an exemplary customer (using toilet brush, etc.), but for some reason it does not seem to happen.
Somebody needs to explain to me how the world works, since a lot of the employees of the places I visit have more revenue than I have.
Somebody needs to explain to me how the world works, since a lot of the employees of the places I visit have more revenue than I have.
Jul 27th, 2015, 03:00 PM
#78
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I try not to tip the maids - they seem to work better when they are completely balanced on their own accord.
As for this - someone's cabbie has never dealt with Russians or any non-anglosphere tourists.
<<I was discussing with my taxi driver today and asked her who were the worst tourists in her trade.
Answer :
No let's start with the best tourists :
- the Brits : cool, never complaining
Now the worst :
- the US citizens>>
As for this - someone's cabbie has never dealt with Russians or any non-anglosphere tourists.
<<I was discussing with my taxi driver today and asked her who were the worst tourists in her trade.
Answer :
No let's start with the best tourists :
- the Brits : cool, never complaining
Now the worst :
- the US citizens>>
Jul 27th, 2015, 04:38 PM
#79
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Do any of you tip the cabin crew on your flights? I don’t. I say “thank you” when it is merited, as it almost always is. But no matter whether the flight is domestic or international, or where the flight begins or ends, I don’t tip – it isn’t expected and it is not part of the societally sanctioned pay or tax structure for flight attendants. And even though I don't tip, I almost always get professional, courteous service – as expected. So again, it’s actually easy: tip (and tip appropriately) when tipping is the norm. Don’t tip when it isn’t.
And in case some of you never saw it or would like the reminder, here’s one of my all time favorite Fodor’s threads: Enjoy!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-the-pilot.cfm
And in case some of you never saw it or would like the reminder, here’s one of my all time favorite Fodor’s threads: Enjoy!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-the-pilot.cfm
