Have noticed a recent trend in some hotels. An envelope left at bedside or on one the room tables labelled "tip for housekeeping". Sometimes there is a name on it. I saw this in a small motel and a family-run place. Is this common place? And are you supposed to leave put somehting in the envelope each night or at the end?

That's the general idea, although I've seen such envelopes primarily in larger hotels. And yes, you're expected to leave a tip for the maid on a daily basis, as the same person doesn't necessarily do the room every day.

If the hotel wants to be that tacky they should just leave an empty gallon pickle jar in the room with sign that says "Tipping isn't a city in China you cheap losser".

jor is making a very good point. on the other hand there are many cheapskates that stiff the housekeeping staff so what is the soultion? the envelopes are indeed tacky. i have seen attractive cards left by housekeeping that say something like "my name is so and so and please let me know if there is something i can get you for the room. enjoy your stay with us" this is less tacky. people that tip will tip and not have to be told. cheapskates are cheapskates. i agree with underhill that it is better to tip each day rather than at the end of your stay. i used to tip at the end of the stay because i had read it somewhere in a travel guide. but tipping day by day gets the money to the person that did your room.

Author: jor
Date: 10/31/2004, 09:31 pm
Message: If the hotel wants to be that tacky they should just leave an empty gallon pickle jar in the room with sign that says "Tipping isn't a city in China you cheap losser".

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LOL!!! Thanks, I needed that laugh. Also true.

IMO, it's totally optional whether you leave a tip. However, I've always assumed the envelopes were a logical way to officially designate that the money is for the maid and not just loose bills left on a table.

Jayne has a point about the envelope. Yes, it is a nudge for getting tips, but it prevents confusion. If a hotel room has no envelope, I generally leave a few dollars on the bed with a note "For the maid."

For that reason and others, I don't think the pickle-jar analogy is valid (though funny). This is a tipping situation in which you have no direct contact withe the "server" and the tip isn't a part of an exchange of money for services. So, to me, the envelope makes a lot of sense.

What about this scenario. You check in late, and go right to bed. You get up and leave early the next morning. Why am I tipping someone to clean my now-former room for the next paying "guest?"

Depends on your socioeconomic status, doesn't it? If you've ever worked in the service industry (I drive a cab) then you would tip, knowing how much that means to the receiver of the tip $$. Cheap people are cheap. I know a man who makes deep six-figures but is such a miser.

Yes, on my New England tour there was an envelope in one of the motels saying something like: my name is... my name is... my name is... sorry I switched to Eminem, I apologize.

Back to the envelope, it said: my name is @$%@$%$ and I cleaned your room today. I am still not sure whether I like it or not. On one hand, it's begging. On another, once I had my tips not taken by the maid, so I always use the "do not disturb" sign, only the other side, "clean my room", put it on the bed, and leave money on it. Maybe an envelope is more convenient?

I always leave my tip on the pillow and it is always gone.

I've stayed in 14 hotels or motels so far this year and never seen the envelope.

Keith

Although I've yet to be provided with an envelope, I always tip housekeeping.

As the person who drove a taxi mentions, as an ex-waitress I am sensitive to the good people working in the "service industry".

I tip each day, leaving it on the unmade bed, because different people may clean the room each day.

I always leave the tip on the pillow also, I haven't seen these envelopes in the rooms I have stayed in. I think that by leaving the tip on the pillow, there is no chance of confusing it with spare change may be laying on the night stand.

So lets have tip envelopes or pickle jars for all.

The woman who checked you in.
The man who cuts the grass.
The woman who maintains the ice machines.
The man who guards your car in the parking lot.
The woman who works in the kitchen who cooked your in-room meal.
The man who runs the heat and A/C.
The woman who cleans the reception lounge.

...The person who orders the tip envelopes.

The person who printed the tip envelopes.
The person who delivered them (hey, if it's a delivery boy, still a person!)

and don't forget the woman in the laundry room who cleans your sheets. Just pin the money to the sheets and crumble them up in a ball.

It's tipping season once more...

I believe cow tipping is popular in some parts of the country ;-)

there are tipping jars at the car wash,and even tipping jars at the Hot Dog stand outside the Home Depot! I gladly pay for good service,but with all this tipping going on I'm afraid to go anywhere! oh oh, here comes the paperboy.....