In an age where technology seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, the tradition of tipping has found a new frontier: digital gratuities. With a few taps on our smartphones, we can now tip almost anyone providing a service. But as we navigate this digital tipping landscape, an intriguing question arises — especially in the hospitality industry. Upon departing a hotel, should the tip you leave go to the housekeeper who cleans your room during you stay or should it go to the housekeeper who will clean it after your departure?
Before you even set foot in your hotel room, a housekeeper has already expended considerable effort to ensure that your first impression is a positive one. Depending upon the staffing and service level of the property, housekeepers are also tasked with providing refreshes (or light cleaning) during the guest’s duration of stay. This phase is all about preparation and presentation, creating an environment that feels welcoming, clean, and comfortable every time you walk in the room. The tasks involved include:
This preparatory work sets the stage for your entire stay, aiming to ensure that every guest’s immediate experience upon entering their room is nothing short of delightful. Tipping this individual acknowledges their effort in creating a welcoming and clean environment from the moment you step through the door. After all, first impressions matter, and the initial cleanliness and comfort of your room can significantly impact your overall satisfaction with your stay.
On the flip side, the housekeeper responsible for cleaning your room after you leave faces the unknown. They deal with the aftermath of your stay, which can vary significantly in terms of the effort and time required to reset the room to its pristine state. Once you’ve checked out, the post-departure housekeeper faces a different set of challenges. This role is about restoration and readiness for the next guest, requiring a keen eye and a lot of hard work to:
This phase is about erasing the traces of a previous stay to welcome the next guest into a space that feels brand new, just as welcoming and pristine as it was for the guest before them. By tipping the post-departure housekeeper, you’re showing appreciation for the unseen work that goes into maintaining the high standards of cleanliness and comfort for the next guest. It’s a recognition of the effort required to restore order and ensure the room is as welcoming for the next guest as it was for you.
So, who deserves the tip more? The truth is, both roles are integral to the hospitality experience, and each has its unique challenges and contributions. As digital tipping becomes more prevalent, perhaps the question shouldn’t be about choosing one over the other but rather how we can appreciate both contributions. Here are a few suggestions:
As digital tipping evolves, the hospitality industry may develop more nuanced ways to handle gratuities, ensuring fair recognition of all service roles. Until then, understanding the roles of different staff members and considering how best to appreciate their efforts can enhance the tipping experience for both the giver and the receiver.
In the end, tipping — digital or otherwise — is about acknowledging the hard work and dedication of those who contribute to our experiences. Whether before or after your stay, every tip is a thank you to someone who played a part in making your stay enjoyable.