Envelopes in Marriott hotels invite tips for maids

[JohnnyTheFox]

http://www.newson6.com/story/26530499/envelopes-in-marriott-hotels-invite-tips-for-maids

AP Travel Editor
NEW YORK (AP) - Do you leave a tip in your hotel room for the maid? Marriott is launching a program with Maria Shriver to put envelopes in hotel rooms to encourage tipping.

The campaign, called "The Envelope Please," begins this week. Envelopes will be placed in 160,000 rooms in the U.S. and Canada. Some 750 to 1,000 hotels will participate from Marriott brands like Courtyard, Residence Inn, J.W. Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotels.

The name of the person who cleans the room will be written on the envelope along with a message: "Our caring room attendants enjoyed making your stay warm and comfortable. Please feel free to leave a gratuity to express your appreciation for their efforts."

Shriver, who founded an organization called A Woman's Nation that aims to empower women, says many travelers don't realize tipping hotel room attendants is customary. "There's a huge education of the traveler that needs to occur," she said. "If you tell them, they ask, 'How do I do that?'" She said envelopes make it easy for guests to leave cash for the right person in a secure way.

So how much should you leave? Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson says $1 to $5 per night, depending on room rate, with more for a high-priced suite.


What say you?
Should Marriot maybe pay their maids a bit more?
Or is this ok?

 

[Wheeltax]

There's already a big and growing wage problem in the US where everyone is far too comfortable expecting wages to be subsidized by either tipping or government programs. It's not surprising to see that spreading but it sucks.

 

[Future]

There's already a big and growing wage problem in the US where everyone is far too comfortable expecting wages to be subsidized by either tipping or government programs. It's not surprising to see that spreading but it sucks.

Agreed. Tipping, and the pressure to tip, is getting way out of control.

The thing that always bugs me is when I pick up a sandwich or something and pay with a card and there's that "TIP" line right before the total. I always feel bad drawing a line through it right in front of the person, but no way I'm tipping for a sandwich.

 

[WV Cowboy]

http://www.newson6.com/story/26530499/envelopes-in-marriott-hotels-invite-tips-for-maids

AP Travel Editor
NEW YORK (AP) - Do you leave a tip in your hotel room for the maid?

What say you?
Should Marriot maybe pay their maids a bit more?
Or is this ok?

What could a maid do, above and beyond her job requirements, that could make your stay more "warm and comfortable"?

 

[Vtwin]

How does essentially begging for money from customers "empower women"?

Last time I stayed in Montreal it was at a much nicer place than I am accustomed too. I tipped the bellhop and the valet both coming and going and left a nice tip (all the Canadian change I had, probably ten bucks) for the maids.

Then I discovered that there were separate line items for gratuities for each of those on the bill.

 

[Aggie87]

Is everyone in *every* service job expected to be tipped? This is crazy.

People don't tip at McDonald's, but they do at Starbucks. What's the difference? When I drive through, I order, pay and get handed what I order. I see no difference.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I think it is kind of sad when I see people get upset or think it is some kind of disservice to them that some in the service industry would like a tip when they are getting paid below minimum wage and therefore count on their tips.

If you don't like it, nobody is making you put money in the envelopes, nobody is making anyone pay a tip at most fast food joints.

I can understand getting upset if a service automatically takes out a tip on a credit card or adds a tip to a bill.

But when it is a place that it is voluntary service to tip...why get angry about it or act like it is a terrible thing that bothers one so much?

Just seems kind of silly to me to get upset about it or act like these people are burden to your or the nations wallet.

 

[Tabascocat]

I think it is kind of sad when I see people get upset or think it is some kind of disservice to them that some in the service industry would like a tip when they are getting paid below minimum wage and therefore count on their tips.

If you don't like it, nobody is making you put money in the envelopes, nobody is making anyone pay a tip at most fast food joints.

I can understand getting upset if a service automatically takes out a tip on a credit card or adds a tip to a bill.

But when it is a place that it is voluntary service to tip...why get angry about it or act like it is a terrible thing that bothers one so much?

Just seems kind of silly to me to get upset about it or act like these people are burden to your or the nations wallet.

Exactly, if someone feels the need to tip for great service for anything, by all means, tip them something. If you don't want to tip, don't....simple as that. There are only a few occupations where people depend on said tips, the rest are just extras for going out of their way to help you.

I am a pretty generous person when it comes to tipping but nothing makes me angrier than when someone holds out their hand or asks for a tip, especially when it is a job that doesn't normally require tips.

 

[Longboysfan]

Go on a cruise... Find out about tipping...

 

[TheCount]

I think it is kind of sad when I see people get upset or think it is some kind of disservice to them that some in the service industry would like a tip when they are getting paid below minimum wage and therefore count on their tips.

If you don't like it, nobody is making you put money in the envelopes, nobody is making anyone pay a tip at most fast food joints.

I can understand getting upset if a service automatically takes out a tip on a credit card or adds a tip to a bill.

But when it is a place that it is voluntary service to tip...why get angry about it or act like it is a terrible thing that bothers one so much?

Just seems kind of silly to me to get upset about it or act like these people are burden to your or the nations wallet.

Voluntary doesn't always mean voluntary.

I once ate at a restaurant with my wife and brother, had a great time, paid the bill on my card and left a cash tip.

We are half way down the street and hear someone screaming behind us. We turn around, and here comes our waitress running down the crowded street, yelling at us about not leaving a tip. I'm obviously puzzled, because we did leave one but she seems to be equally sure we didn't. I'm obviously not going to tip a second time and she isn't going to back down from her well deserved income supplement.

So there we are staring awkwardly at each other, people are passing and wondering why that family wouldn't tip the poor ole waitress.

Finally, one of her coworkers leans out the front door and yells at her that he had already collected the tip.

Does she apologize? Nope. Just turns around and walks back inside.

The fact that it's an optional line item doesn't mean there is no pressure to pay and that there won't be consequences if you elect not to.

 

[Aggie87]

I think it is kind of sad when I see people get upset or think it is some kind of disservice to them that some in the service industry would like a tip when they are getting paid below minimum wage and therefore count on their tips.

If you don't like it, nobody is making you put money in the envelopes, nobody is making anyone pay a tip at most fast food joints.

I can understand getting upset if a service automatically takes out a tip on a credit card or adds a tip to a bill.

But when it is a place that it is voluntary service to tip...why get angry about it or act like it is a terrible thing that bothers one so much?

Just seems kind of silly to me to get upset about it or act like these people are burden to your or the nations wallet.

As far as I know the only jobs that are paid below minimum wage are waiters and waitresses. The rest of the service industry is paid minimum wage at worst.

 

[Tabascocat]

Voluntary doesn't always mean voluntary.

I once ate at a restaurant with my wife and brother, had a great time, paid the bill on my card and left a cash tip.

We are half way down the street and hear someone screaming behind us. We turn around, and here comes our waitress running down the crowded street, yelling at us about not leaving a tip. I'm obviously puzzled, because we did leave one but she seems to be equally sure we didn't. I'm obviously not going to tip a second time and she isn't going to back down from her well deserved income supplement.

So there we are staring awkwardly at each other, people are passing and wondering why that family wouldn't tip the poor ole waitress.

Finally, one of her coworkers leans out the front door and yells at her that he had already collected the tip.

Does she apologize? Nope. Just turns around and walks back inside.

The fact that it's an optional line item doesn't mean there is no pressure to pay and that there won't be consequences if you elect not to.

I would have fired her on the spot. There is no excuse to ever question a patron about a tip. With that said, I know where they are coming from though. Ever since Obama made restaurants pay extra tax on gratuities, most got rid of them. A lot of people don't tip, at least not close to 15%. That tension mounts up over time of getting stiffed. Since we can no longer add a gratuity on any size party, it has been touch and go. This past Saturday night, we had a 34 top and the bill was almost $1200, all separate checks too. Know what the total tip was? 18 dollars......it cost the 2 servers working it each $9 out of their pocket. Tipout was $36 - $18 tip = eating 18 more dollars. They lost money and worked their but off. Nothing I can do about it but I gave them a nice lobster dinner at the end of the shift.

A few weeks ago, one of my waiters stole a cash tip from the checkbook off the table and the waitress thought they didn't leave one. Luckily, another table saw it happen and the thief(who has/had a pill problem) was 86'd. He was in so deep, he had to steal to pay for the Vicodin or whatever he was on.

I swear I can make a few movies about what really goes on inside restaurants, maybe even become a billionaire P.S. it would make the movie "Waiting" seem rated PG, heh.

 

[MonsterD]

I would have fired her on the spot. There is no excuse to ever question a patron about a tip. With that said, I know where they are coming from though. Ever since Obama made restaurants pay extra tax on gratuities, most got rid of them. A lot of people don't tip, at least not close to 15%. That tension mounts up over time of getting stiffed. Since we can no longer add a gratuity on any size party, it has been touch and go. This past Saturday night, we had a 34 top and the bill was almost $1200, all separate checks too. Know what the total tip was? 18 dollars......it cost the 2 servers working it each $9 out of their pocket. Tipout was $36 - $18 tip = eating 18 more dollars. They lost money and worked their but off. Nothing I can do about it but I gave them a nice lobster dinner at the end of the shift.
.

What the heck is wrong with people! What those servers did was honest work whether or not the patrons felt like it was good enough for their high and mighty standard, those working employees deserved a tip. That is disgusting to see.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Voluntary doesn't always mean voluntary.

I once ate at a restaurant with my wife and brother, had a great time, paid the bill on my card and left a cash tip.

We are half way down the street and hear someone screaming behind us. We turn around, and here comes our waitress running down the crowded street, yelling at us about not leaving a tip. I'm obviously puzzled, because we did leave one but she seems to be equally sure we didn't. I'm obviously not going to tip a second time and she isn't going to back down from her well deserved income supplement.

So there we are staring awkwardly at each other, people are passing and wondering why that family wouldn't tip the poor ole waitress.

Finally, one of her coworkers leans out the front door and yells at her that he had already collected the tip.

Does she apologize? Nope. Just turns around and walks back inside.

The fact that it's an optional line item doesn't mean there is no pressure to pay and that there won't be consequences if you elect not to.

It was still voluntary. She was just too stupid to see it. Does not change what I said about some people acting offended or off pug that some people get tips. It should be offsetting to people for not tipping waiters or waitresses unless it is already in the bill or the server does a terrible job.

And heaven forbid if there is a line somewhere that people think puts too much pressure on them lol oh they are pressuring me for a tip. Sounds like an excuse to be greedy but hey maybe that is me. I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination but if I eat at a sit down place I will leave a tip unless the service is really bad.

 

[TheCount]

It was still voluntary. She was just too stupid to see it. Does not change what I said about some people acting offended or off pug that some people get tips. It should be offsetting to people for not tipping waiters or waitresses unless it is already in the bill or the server does a terrible job.

And heaven forbid if there is a line somewhere that people think puts too much pressure on them lol oh they are pressuring me for a tip. Sounds like an excuse to be greedy but hey maybe that is me. I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination but if I eat at a sit down place I will leave a tip unless the service is really bad.

My highschool english teacher always used to tell us, "Everything in life in voluntary, as long as you are prepared to deal with the consequences."

Just because something is technically voluntary, doesn't mean there aren't other pressures - so obviously, tension can build.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

My highschool english teacher always used to tell us, "Everything in life in voluntary, as long as you are prepared to deal with the consequences."

Just because something is technically voluntary, doesn't mean there aren't other pressures - so obviously, tension can build.

If being pressured for a tip causes too much tension in one's life, one might consider getting therapy or medication. We are talking about a grown individual stressing themselves over a tip for a waitress. Think about that.

 

[Hoofbite]

I'd prefer there not be pressure to tip anywhere. Let it actually be something that is voluntary. Of course, people would have to actually get paid by their employers for that to happen so it's probably not going to ever happen.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

My highschool english teacher always used to tell us, "Everything in life in voluntary, as long as you are prepared to deal with the consequences."

Just because something is technically voluntary, doesn't mean there aren't other pressures - so obviously, tension can build.

I apologize if it feels like I am attacking you. I am not but after reading back through I can see how it could easily be taken that way. That would be on me as some times a can be plenty blunt.

 

[Aggie87]

I'd prefer there not be pressure to tip anywhere. Let it actually be something that is voluntary. Of course, people would have to actually get paid by their employers for that to happen so it's probably not going to ever happen.

It happens in most of the world. Europe at least. You don't tip waiters there, they are paid a normal wage, and don't "expect" a tip. Most people round their bill up to the nearest Euro (i.e.dollar), but that's it.

Not sure why that can't happen here.

 

[maxdallasfan]

We place the do not disturb rag on our door the whole time.

The maids don't come in. Situation avoided