For the past two years I have posted a diary regarding my thoughts about leaving tips in hotels and motels for those who clean the rooms. They are to be found here and here. I can't really add much to what I said last year, except that I have been finding envelopes for staff tips in more and more places. Good for management to be acknowledging the need for this reminder.
So I'll just republish last year's below the fold.
Last year before Netroots 2011 I wrote a diary by this name, linked here, and I thought it would be a good reminder, especially for those attending Netroots for the first time.
"Many of us will soon be attending Netroots 2011 and will be staying in various hotels and motels. I am suggesting that travelers should be especially generous in leaving tips for the workers who clean and maintain their rooms
.
The room-cleaning staff at hotels and motels, mostly women, work very hard and are rather invisible to the guests. I'm fairly sure that many are paid minimum wage, and these jobs are some of the only ones available. A decent tip left by each room guest would make a big difference to these folks.
Many of you might say "of course I do that" but I've been harping on this subject for a long time and have discussed it with many very good progressive people and often the response is "Oh, I never think of that". Admittedly many places now leave envelopes for tips, but not all by a long shot. And it depends on the attitude of the guests.
Recently a letter to Dear Abby stirred up comments on this subject, wherein a man felt tips were for extraordinary service and he had never received such service. Well, speaking as a guy, cleaning a room and bathroom, changing sheets and making a bed perfectly is, as Joe Biden said, a big deal. So be generous, folks, at Netroots and anywhere else you stay."
The comments from last year were interesting and enlightening, and one stood out especially for me.
as a past NN participant(48+ / 0-)
I would remind you to tell the staff that a Democrat left this tip, and please register to vote for candidates who support the working people! :-) If they see enough of these, we might change some party affiliations!
http://www.etsy.com/....
by Chun Yang on Sun Jun 12, 2011 at 02:58:18 PM PDT
I now write something of this sort on the envelope in which I leave the tip.
For those of you attending, can't wait to see you all. And I hope all Kossacks can use the suggestions above for all your travel.