This may be off the topic but (and also sorry if anybody has already mentioned. I have not read all the posts.), it is 4-star L in France and not 5 stars. It's obvious what you mean by a French 5 star hotel but just to get the things straight. And escpecailly Mariposa should know it well sinced she worked there.

Christina: Most of the young people at the hotel were what the French call 'stagiaires', doing work experience related to a job they wanted to do in the future. The experience was essential for them, whereas we had no intention of becoming full time chambermaids. We were 'saisonnieres', seasonal workers, doing the same job as the longterm maids. In a way it was a work experience because of the French but it really wasn't the same situation as the others. Most people assumed we were 'stagiaires' and there to learn about hotels, when the truth was we were just normal maids, employed because it was cheaper than employing a French person for the summer.

Patrick/nibblette, it wasn't really a complaint, more of an observation. I knew what I was going to be paid before I went, and wasn't expecting to rely on tips or anything. It was just when people from home kept asking me if I got to keep all my tips, I started thinking, hold on, we don't get any! And these were people from Ireland, where there is no tipping culture like in the US. We do tip but not like over there. I found it strange more than anything that so few people tipped. I assume the reason must be that it was 'service included'.

I really wish things were different but my college does not get involved in the working abroad thing. It is really really unfair that we're obliged to spend time abroad, yet they don't think it's unreasonable not to help us but that is the case. So long as you provide evidence of your stay in a country, they're happy.

kappa I know there is no such thing as 5 star in France and explained what I meant in another post. I just wanted to make it clear that it was a top end hotel.

Okay, now it's almost a year later since the last post. I will be staying at 150E a night rooms in Paris, Amsterdam and Italy. What, if any, is an appropriate maid's tip to leave in a room? Thanks.

I am always so confused about the tipping issue. For instance, at almost $50 for a hair cut at home, I'm sure my hair dresser is making more money than I am...even so I feel guilty not to tip so I do. I always tip the maids in countries where I know the average wage is very low such as Mexico and the Caribbean but do not generally tip the maids in Europe where the living standards seem to be fairly good. I always check to see if the service charge is included on a meal tab and if it is not I tip 15-20% and if it is already included...I will still leave a small additional tip for exceptional service. In the UK and Australia, tipping is not the usual practice and not really expected. It is hard to know what to do...you generally tip taxi cab drivers, tour guides, bell staff or porters, waiters and I guess the maid deserves something as well if you really think about it.

In Europe I leave something on the bed on last day of my stay.

I do tip even more generously in Mexico where I know wages are extremely low.

I hit a hotel room like a tornado so I usually leave 1.5 Euro for each day I've stayed at at a hotel . I leave it on the notepad on the desk with thank you written in whatever language of the country I'm in.

I make up little envelopes before the trip, and then each morning as we leave the room, I put one on the unmade bed with 2€ in it. That way, the 'maid of the day' receives the tip. (our room costs about 1/2 of yours).

So, I guess tipping in the room should be a daily thing? I like the envelope idea. Maybe before I leave I'll do some creative envelopes. HOw about a helpful concierge? Do you tip him/her at the end of the stay or after each helpful gesture?

Each day is good, because it assures who does the work gets the tip.

Thanks Suze,
I sent you a compliment on one of the other posts we were both on awhile back. I hope you saw it. I appreciate your advice and the way you deliver it. Thanks!

Also, does this tip-maid-per-day translate to all of Europe in general?

I think we are all a bit confused on the subject of tipping. The travel books talk about tipping, or not tipping, in restaurants and taxi's, but nothing else, so we are in the dark as far as what is expected.

I leave a tip for the maids, because my mother taught me it is the right thing to do. Of course, she also dressed well to ride on a train or plane, and that has obviously changed.

I leave the tip in an envelope, with "thank you" written on it in the local language; sometimes I have to have the concierge do the writing to get it right. If the hotel has an attended breakfast room (not a restaurant), I also leave a tip there.

On a surprising number of visits, the maids or breakfast room attendants have sought us out to thank us, which makes me think that such tipping is not common.

I only go to Italy. When I stay in hotels I always leave a tip in an envelope either on the pillow or the nightstand. I bring envelopes with me. I too write a thank you on the envelope.

I had a long conversation with a good friend of mine who was a night manager of a hotel in Italy at the time. He said that housekeeping does not expect a tip but a tip is always so appreciated as people that work in hotels do so as they financially need to. Well that sure makes sense!! It is always more pleasant for me to tip when it is not automatically expected.

I tip the housekeeping staff (maid) daily, at any hotel, anywhere. Usually $2 (US or Euros). My room rates are always below $200 US, often closer to $100.

I tip shuttle van drivers, hairdressers, and other service providers as well. And when in doubt, I leave another dollar for the waiter.

A couple of bucks is something I can afford, and makes a big difference to the person receiving it.

Hi Lesli, that is how I feel. It doesn't make or break my vacation budget. And for sure I cannot imagine anyone being a housekeeper in a hotel unless it was a financial neccesity.

I do try to respect a country's custom (I have learned from Neil of Oz that tipping is not wanted in China for example so if I were in China I would respect their custom).

Thanks for all the great advice. I am a tipper to be sure. Did you ever read, 'Nickel and Dimed'?

Anyway, most of my accomodations include a breakfast served in a breakfast room. So, does that mean I should leave a daily tip there, as well as a daily tip in the room? I better get a heap of Euro singles. I always carry many dollar bills for that same reason, but I usually tip in the end.

I would find it fun to tip a maid but they get so testy while they try to stand up again.

har har har

Down and Out in Paris & London by Orwell comes to mind here. I agree with mariposa85 that everyone should be a maid or some such for awhile. This might be a kinder and sweeter world if everyone had picked strawberries or been a nurse's aide for a week.

Why do we tip in N.America? It is part of the social contract, we want to reward good service, we are making up for poor wages, we want to be seen as being nice, etc. The minimum wage in France is more than $9... in the US, well Mississippi doesn't even have one.As Ira pointed out, people in the service industry are paid a living wage. I think that the OP pointed out what is the norm in Europe.
When you travel to Europe do you think of yourself as an American (Canadian, etc) in France or as a visitor to France. Perhaps if we adopted the attitude of a visitor or guest whose obligation is to understand and conform to the ways and accepted practices of our host country, the answer to some of these questions would be self-evident. Just a thought.