Hotel Stays

[Sundae]

We left a $1 a day in our hotel room in Cuba.
I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was 1996, and American currency gave that dollar pretty much the same spending power as a couple of week's wages.

We got decoratively folded towels, our room was cleaned first on the floor - despite being in the middle of the level - and we got a note when we left to say thank you from the room staff. Aside from the early clean, usually when we were at breakfast, meaning we could be in and out all day, they would probably have done the rest anyway. But we were tipped off (pun intended) by people who had visited previously. It meant nothing to us compared to the cost of the holiday, but it was important to the staff.

I've never, not ever tipped room staff in this country.
Then again, I generally don't ask for the room to be cleaned, the towels to be changed and I often take my rubbish out with me, or at least leave the bin outside the door.
It's not a common habit to tip room staff here. At least not as far as I know.

[xoxoxoBruce]

A year or so ago, staying at a hotel in PA, I left money on the bed and when I got back it was on the table. Next morning I left double on the bed, and found it on the table. Same routine every day until I checked out. I wonder who ended up with the money, whether the maid kept it or turned it in?

The thought of some pimply faced 19 year old, assistant to the assistant night clerk, spending it to woo his sweetheart, doesn't displease me, any more than an exhausted single mom buying her pride and joy a toy on the way home.

This is my reward, I can imagine a very small gift making someone happy for a brief snapshot in time.