The dos and don’ts of tipping culture are often the center of debate, and one traveler blew up the conversation after sharing that they were blatantly encouraged to tip “should you wish to show appreciation” at a hotel.
“Are we supposed to be tipping the hotels? Parking was $40/night and [there was] no breakfast,” a Reddit user shared.
The user posted their question alongside a photo revealing that they were staying at a Courtyard Marriott, where a sign left in their room asked for tips.
“Tipping just got easier,” read the sign, which included a QR code for customers to scan and leave a tip for “our hardworking room attendants team.”
Users in the comment section said that people should not be tipping hotel employees and slammed the hospitality industry for relying on tips rather than paying their employees enough.
“Abso-f–king-lutely NOT … Do not enable another industry to get away with paying horrible wages and expect their hard working employees to earn a dignified wage through optional tips… do not support employment abuse,” one wrote.
“They should pay their own employees out of their profits,” another said.
“I never tip at hotels and I don’t feel pressured to do so, especially when I’m paying several hundred dollars a night to rent a room. I expect it to be clean. I’m not paying any more,” someone chimed in.
“Here’s what I read: ‘We don’t care for or appreciate our hardworking staff,’” another wrote.
“Imagine promoting the sentiment ‘Tipping just got easier’ as though it’s some obscure idea that everyone wants to do but can never find the opportunity for,” someone quipped.
Many people noted that the only time they ever tip in a hotel or motel situation is when they take a cruise.
The American Society of Travel Advisors emphasized that tipping is very much a personal decision, but they still noted that “an employee’s livelihood depends on tips.”
One study, according to Southern Living magazine, revealed that just 23% of guests leave a tip for hotel housekeepers. Experts have advised leaving a $1 to $5 cash gratuity per night at mid-range hotels and $10 to $20 a night at homes or villas. Children and pets could elevate the tip amount, too.
Travel advisers suggested tipping daily since you may have a different housekeeper each day, “which also might get you better service.”
“Don’t leave castaway items in place of a monetary tip,” stressed another advisor.
Read the full article here
