Traveler sparks heated debate after revealing they were asked to tip hotel during stay
- An irate guest was left fuming after being asked to tip while checking out
- Their fury has divided users, some of whom said hotel staff's wages are very low
- READ MORE: 75 percent of Americans believe tipping culture has gone TOO far
For years, a debate about whether or not tipping culture has gone too far has run rampant, and one traveler has reignited the argument after revealing they were asked to tip while staying at a hotel.
The irate user was at the Courtyard Hotel by Marriott, and they posted a picture to Reddit showing a sign left in their room that had a QR code to leave a tip for the property.
'Are we supposed to be tipping the hotels? Parking was $40/night and there was no breakfast...' they wrote furiously.
The sign read: 'Tipping just got easier,' before telling users that they should scan the QR code if they 'wish to show appreciation' for the hotel's room attendant team.
In the comment section, many users slammed the hospitality industry for not paying their employees enough, which means they rely on tips for a livable wage.
'Here’s what I read: “We don’t care for or appreciate our hardworking staff,"' retorted one user.
'I have absolutely never understood tipping in this situation. For what exactly? The room being clean when you arrive should 100 percent be part of the room price you’re paying,' another responded.
They continued: 'Being cleaned when you’ve left is part of the price for the next person staying.
For years, a debate about whether or not tipping culture has gone too far has run rampant, and one traveler has reignited the argument after revealing they were asked to tip at a hotel
'So what exactly are we doing here? Especially considering I always use the do not disturb and don’t have them come in and clean up at any time during my stay.'
Someone else pointed out, however, that tipping whoever cleans your hotel room isn't anything new.
'I'm not saying you should tip hotel staff, but I am saying that tipping the maids isn't a new thing. I know several people that have always left a tip in the room when they check out,' someone else wrote.
'Tipping the cleaning staff isn’t anything new. But also, there’s no way I’m tipping.
'Hotels are so crazy expensive these days. Some of that money should trickle down to the staff. It’s not my responsibility to pay their wage on top of the cost of the room.
'Best I can do for the staff is put up the do not disturb r sign so they only have to clean when I leave.
According to American Society of Travel Advisors, housekeeping tips are expected to be left for cleaners.
'Because you may have a different housekeeper each day, several advisors suggested tipping daily, "which also might get you better service,"' the site noted.
Many users slammed the hospitality industry for not paying their employees enough, and relying on tips for a livable wage (stock image)
Other users pointed out that tipping whoever cleans your hotel room isn't anything new and is largely expected (stock image)
They suggested tipping '$2-$3 per day and up to $5 per day if you're staying at a four or five-star hotel.'
The tip also should vary depending on how many people are in your room or suite, with the experts suggesting 'if there are three or more travelers staying together, the tips should increase by $1 per additional person.'
The advisors also said that bellmen should be tipped $1-$2 per bag, also suggesting a $5 flat tip plus an additional $1 per bag if you're traveling in a large group.
'If you're staying somewhere that provides a high level of butler service, $25-$75 per day is customary,' they continued.
'It can be more or less, depending on the level of luxury in your accommodations and on the services they provide for you.'
A survey by CouponBirds found that two in three Americans often 'guilt tip' - whereby they felt forced into adding gratuity by prompts at check-out machines.
The findings come amidst a widespread backlash against 'tipflation,' which has seen tipping culture spill out from bars and restaurants and into stores, takeout chains and even self-service machines.
Just 30.7 percent said that they 'always' tip while 22.9 percent revealed they 'often' did.
Some 5.7 percent said they 'never' added gratuity but the rest said they 'rarely' or 'sometimes' do.
And almost half said they had been asked to tip at an automated, self-service check-out.
However, industry workers pointed out they were reliant on gratuity to make a living, with six in ten told the survey tips amounted to more than 30 percent of their income.
