For a number of years I have written a diary similar to this one reminding folks to generously tip the housekeeping staff at your hotel. I will repeat the general thoughts, but with an additional thought brought about by recent experience.
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 that 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!
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. And I do it wherever I stay.
For those of you attending, I hope you have a most wonderful time. We always do. And I hope all Kossacks can use the suggestions above for all your travel.
Recently another Kossack mentioned his experience with car doors slamming and horns beeping outside his motel. Doors closing makes a lot of noise, as does talking at full volume in the corridors. Volume increases proportionally with alcohol consumed. It’s something to consider.
See you in Atlanta.