Wel, in fact, I say good morning to my neighbors and to the cleaning staff too. I think that's a nice custom. I do not, on the other hand, think tipping is a "nice custom".

Don't be rude or stupid. Tip $5 per day, per room unless its a high-end resort, which would be $10.

sinabob,, don't be stupid or rude and assume you are right and everyone elses ways are wrong. And tipping 10 dollars a day strikes me as typical show off stunts of the nouveau riche.. tacky.

Look folks, this poster is from Australia and asking about tipping customs in Hawaii. You people can justify it all you want (you non-tippers) but it IS customary to leave $3-5/day for the maid that cleans your hotel room. Not "mandatory" but customary and good manners.

No, it is not "customary" by any means. Just because you do it, does not mean that it is the norm.

Of course it's not "mandatory." After all, even tipping in a restaurant isn't technically "mandatory" although it is certainly more "customary" than tipping the hotel maid.

And I'm not so sure what it has to do with good manners. I know some pretty rude people who are very generous with tips, including hotel maids. Probably because they like to show off!

Bottom line: Hotel maid tipping is an area where there is no universal concensus. I'm guessing that it's a 50/50 deal with most travelers, and that it's a more common practice in resort areas (such as Hawaii) than in urban centers.

All you have to do is Google "Etiquette for tipping a hotel maid" or a similar phrase and all kinds of links will pop up with newspaper articles, opinions from experts, etc. $3-5/day is what most say.

I'm a tipper. I'm a big tipper. Housekeeping doesn't find me to be nuevo rich showing off. They take the tip, put it in their pocket and graciously thank me if I am in their presence. No grand standing, no patting myself on the back. No look at me, aren't I generous. Just a simple acknowledgment by both parties.

suze, please keep googling, because I did and have seen MANY results that would suggest and lead me to believe that only half of us tip housekeeping. These are from people in the hospitality industry and hospitality educational programs.

Ah, remember the good old days when you would bribe the skycap $5 a bag for fear your luggage would be lost? Seems it was a bargain now.

<i>suze, please keep googling, because I did and have seen MANY results that would suggest and lead me to believe that only half of us tip housekeeping.</i>

Here is one article that might have been found:

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-24/t...e?_s=PM:TRAVEL

HTTY

Fergoodnessssake, so be cheap, keep your $3, don't tip, keep telling yourself it's OK.

I totally agree with "Shar" on this one.

Regardless of what type of hotel I stay at, I leave a tip on my pillow everyday. I normally leave between $2 - $3. I believe that's a fair tip and I know the maids appreciate it.

The non tippers are the same people who steal from the breakfast buffet so they can have free lunch, fruit, and cold waffles for the road... they can justify anything with their pockets full of teabags, bananas, and packets of sweeteners...

stealing and not tipping are not in the same category.

Tipping is so confusing

Hair Dresser-typically you don't tip the owner of the salon but any other employee. really confused if you have a hair washer and then a stylist
Waiter or Waitress
Porter
Doorman
Taxi Driver
Mailman--just holidays?
Trashman--just holidays?
Tour Guide
Hotel Maid
Barista
Takeout Service
Bartender
Room Service
Conierge
Skycap
Sommelier
spa service
Shoe shine
valet parking
Gas station (especially in Oregon)
grocery store bagger
coat check
a mover or furniture delivery
baby sitter
newspaper delivery
food delivery
hotel doorman
people on a cruise line

Longer list than mine....

I am stricly of the view that tipping should be limited to services in establishments frequented by you in your home town.Tipping is done by those flaunting their money and those who take morbid pleasure in spraying it around.It is best to use this money to give to genuine charities.

the above by garyt22 is nothing but ridiculous.Tipping was started by guys flaunting their riches in front of girls who they were taking to the restaurants etc. Normally tips are given to ensure attention the next time you are at a place.Why leave a tip where you are not likely to show up again in your life? And do not feel guilty about not tipping or picking up an apple for yourself at a buffet 'cos you are paying for it all the time. There is no point in carrying airs about you. Be resonable, kind, considerate but aboe all practical .

To Manylygirl:

Some tip in hotels.
Some do not.
But virtually everyone tips sit-down restaurant waitstaff 15% (or more).
It is a touchy subject in the U.S., as you can see from the disagreements. But note that no one here argued about the restaurant tipping, just the other.

<Why leave a tip where you are not likely to show up again in your life?>

Because it's the right thing to do. I'm not expecting anything special in return or trying to impress anyone. Only a thanks to the person for the service given (by a waiter serving a meal, by the maid who cleans my hotel room).

Just go back and read all of the bogus excuses that non tippers are using to justify their cheapness...

room cleaners are poorly paid and $2 for their time can be well justified... if you can afford the luxury of travel, then you should include this tiny amount in your budget...

anything else is a poor excuse...