sart29

A very informative thread.
I never knew about tipping the maid (never stayed in hotels growing up) until a trip taken with my parents, who gave me a stack of envelopes and singles "for the housekeeping staff" each day. To think, they taught me from a young age to tip my waitress (tip big at breakfast -- just because the food is cheaper doesn't mean the service is), tip the skycap, tip the driver, tip the tour guide and tip the hairdresser (including the girl who shampoos), but it never occured to them to tell me about tipping the maid. Come to think of it, when we traveled as a family (7 of us) we usually stayed with friends or relatives and my mom taught me "never show up empty handed when you are a guest in someone's home". Maybe that was supposed to be my clue.

Who else am I not tipping on a trip?

mikemo

I recently tipped 3 GBPs per in London and 3 Euro per in NW PT and Galicia, SP. Perhaps not enough?
I always ask the guests at my MX home to consider tipping my maid $10. MXP (about $0.88 US) per day per person - most are happy to do so and also want to take her "home"

seetheworld

A tip is a gift left for someone who has provided a quality service - it is however not a wage for the person who receives it. The true issue is that multi-billion corporations choose to pay subsistence wages to the working poor, limit or exclude benefits to its employees (and exploit, in particular, working mothers - appealing to women with "mother's hours") in order to increase their profit margins. It is a question of ethical behavior and treatment of America's working poor by those whose pockets are far more filled than the average vacationer.

mikemo

Sorry, microsoft struck yet again.
The Clipper Cruise Line recommends $10. per person (guest) per day which I thought quite reasonable for the level of service.
M
PS I drove a "school bus" for Riverdale Country Day School in the mid 60's - Jonathan Tisch and his brother were frequently on my route.
One of our favorite games was counting the "plastic jesus" statues on the dashs of the commuter cars. They were and I imagine still are very nice people.

Leona

Sorry, I'm a little late to the original thread, but I must take issue with Patrick's remark that it is not necessary to tip for a one night stay, as the housekeeper has done "nothing" for him. How about cleaning up after the guest who occupied your room on the night before?

Patrick, without housekeeping service, you'd be sleeping on his/her dirty sheets, showering in his/her dirty tub & doing your business in the toilet the previous guest christened. The housekeeper should be tipped for EVERY day of your stay, whether it be 1 night or 15.

Judy24

I was interested to see the above references to Nickeled & Dimed. I saw it as a play, and it was a real eye opener. Alternately funny and sad, and really gave you something to think about. I was surprised it didn't receive more acclaim.

seetheworld

Nickel and Dimed is generally required reading for sociology majors, particularly those who study women's issues. Never knew it was made into a play - where did you see it?

Judy24

To seetheworld: Saw it in Philadelphia this past winter. Very well done. The small cast plays multiple parts recreating different roles in several low paying work scenarios. At one point they raise the lights and step out of character and talk directly to the audience. I actually thought it would have gone to NYC, but I haven't heard about it since.