I tend to tidy up things to help housekeeping when I stay in a hotel. I worked in housekeeping when I was in college, and now I find that I tend to try to make things easier for the housekeepers when I stay in a hotel. Does anyone else do this? Why?
[question posted by Transdisc]
responses and comments:
I tend to pull the covers over on the bed and ang up the towels as I don't like my house being messy like that and I wouldn't be able to feel comfortable in the room if it was all messy. [michelledarcy]
I don't like a messy room, either. I often travel with a friend of mine who is a total slob. If you've ever seen the movie, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, when it comes to room tidiness, he is the character played by John Candy, and I am the one played by Steve Martin. Thanks for the response, michelle [Transdisc]
Yes I do. Not only to help housekeeping, but it helps find any missing personal items that may be hiding under a bunched up towel or under a pillow. [Julia3269]
Welcome to myLot! [Transdisc]
I haven't visited one in years lol but when I was I always tended to tidy up as if I were staying in my own home, out of courtesy but also out of habit. I just feel guilty others tidying up afte me. I think if I had loads of oney though I would get cleanders in as I would spend my time doing allthe things I would reallylike to do and at least I can emply someone that needs work. But I would pay well and treat the workers as family..We would all be equal as we are ALL INTERDEPENDENT.. [yanjiaren]
Yes, yanjiaren, we are all interdependent. You certainly have a pleasant attitude toward this. Thanks. [Transdisc]
Hi, i don't really tidy up that much but then again, my room isn't that messy cuz i'm basically quite a neat person! [kissesfrombeigirl]
Yes, that's a good point. I guess I don't really tidy up so much as I find myself organizing. I will place all of the soiled linen and towels and so forth into a pile so that the housekeepers don't have to do it. I'll empty the trash into one receptacle, etc. Thanks for responding, kissesfrombeigirl, and welcome to myLot. [Transdisc]
i would usually keep my things inside my bag or hang my used clothes in the closet or arrange them nicely at the table... this is to make sure that the housekeeper won't mistake it for something to throw in the trash... i would then leave the bed the way it was when i woke up... [shobejen]
You sound well organized, shobejen. Thanks for sharing. [Transdisc]
I tend to tidy up anywhere I go... hotel rooms, restaurants, stores. I sometimes don't realize I'm even doing it. I guess I get so used to straightening up around home that it just carries over! But, specific to hotels -- I always make sure there is no clothing lying around (when traveling as a family, if we do not have access to a washer/dryer, we designate one suitcase for dirty laundry and it all goes in there), I pull the covers up on the beds and we keep the bathroom counter tidy by returning our toiletries to their bag when not in use. I also make sure all the towels are in the tub, if we won't be reusing them. I can't imagine a housekeeper having to navigate around all our toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants and all that jazz, just to clean the counter! We also always leave a tip for housekeeping... although I've traveled with many folks who do not. [thinkingoutloud]
You sound well organized and considerate, too, thinkingoutloud. I also tend to tip, although few people do these days. Thanks for your comments and have a great day :) [Transdisc]
I do this because I don't like the idea of leaving a mess for someone else to clean up. Plus because I don't want people to think I am just nasty or something. LOL I also straighten up the table when leaving a resterant (sp) because I don't like putting extra work off on others. [AnnaB87]
I can definately relate to straightening up the table when leaving a restaurant, AnnaB87. I find myself making sure all the bottles have the tops securely fastened and everything is neatly organized. I like to think that I do this because I'm being considerate. I don't do it because I worry about what people will think about me. Thanks so much for sharing what you do, AnnaB87. [Transdisc]
I tend to keep my room pretty neat anyway, but I find myself doing little things also, like making sure no trash is around the room, or that the towels are placed neatly in one area, etc. I try not to make extra work for the housekeepers I guess. I have had friends that worked in housekeeping and they would tell me nightmare stories, so maybe that is why I do that. [buldwgz]
You sound very considerate, buldwgz. It's true that we tend to make changes in our lives when we can actually relate to others, or walk in their shoes, so to speak. I can tell that you really care for others...I bet that your family just loves you! [Transdisc]
I don't tidy up completely but I try not to make a big mess atleast. I'm actually a neatness freak and tend to put things back in place automatically after I've used them. I'm sure that helps:) [greengal]
If my kids would just put things back where they found them that would sure make me happy! You are so right, greengal, just putting things in their place is a huge help for everyone involved. Thanks for the comment. [Transdisc]
Personally, I don't like leaving the room a mess because I feel it really makes the job of the house keepers harder and it also makes us, the ones that are renting the room look bad because we look like slobs. I try to tidy up a bit. Put things in neat piles and put things in one area so they can freely move about the room to clean up. I feel it just looks better and makes their job easier. They have so much work to do, so I'd rather make their job easier. [highflyingxangel]
Sounds like you're a thoughtful traveler, highflyingxangel. Thanks for responding! [Transdisc]
For me it's the same thing.. I used to work as a housekeeper in a resort, so I always feel a little aware of my messy surroundings when I leave a hotel. I tend to put all the wet towels in a pile. I make sure all the glasses are on the counter. I throw out all my trash. Now that I think of it, I often leave hotels cleaner than my own apartment! lol! [abstractrhyme]
Sounds like you and I learned a lot from the same experience, abstractrhyme. I do just what you do. Unfortunately, I have some friends who worked as a housekeeper, and now are quite inconsiderate when they stay somewhere, reasoning that they "paid their dues" and now it's someone elses turn to "serve" them. It makes me sad when I see this attitude. Thanks for sharing. [Transdisc]
well it's true that cleaning up is what jousekeepers are hired for but i think it's a matter of common sense when you go on vacation and stay at a hotel or something to try and tidy up a little bit before the housekeeper does.. i usually make the bed(s) and take the garbage to the container.... anyway i don't make a mess when i go somewhere on vacation so i don't have much to do. :) [contuletz2007]
Wow, you do go all out. I may make a half hearted attempt at "making the bed" which consists of just pulling up the blankets. I do strip the bed when I'm leaving. Thanks for the response, contuletz. [Transdisc]
I never worked in housekeeping but it seems common courtesy. I make my beds, don't leave towels lying about, and tidy up the trash, that sort of thing. Just because you're relaxing doesn't mean you have to be a piggy at someone else's expense. [seamonkey]
Yes, you are exactly right, seamonkey. It IS a common courtesy and respect for other people. [Transdisc]
Heck no, I am paying to stay there. They're not paying me to clean. I'm taking a vacation from cleaning. [shopgirl]
Thanks for an honest reply, shopgirl. [Transdisc]
I do! is it silly? I fold all the soiled towels and wash cloths and put them in a neat pile so she does not have to go touching all the wet towels. I strip the bed on the day that we are leaving and put those also neatly folded all on one bed, so all she has to do is grab a pile. I make sure all things are in their place. [Modestah]
How very thoughtful of you, Modestah. Sounds like you try to treat others as you would like to be treated. ? Thanks for responding. [Transdisc]