Let us hypothetically say that the climate control system was not functioning properly in a room upon arrival at a hotel property. Work was needed in order to be able to stay comfortably in the room. A member of the maintenance staff eventually arrives and fixes the malfunctioning climate control system. Should maintenance staff at hotel properties receive tips when they fix a problem satisfactorily?
Should Maintenance Staff at Hotel Properties Receive Tips?
At times when I have needed maintenance in rooms as a guest at hotel and resort properties over the years, a member of the maintenance staff usually fixes the problem and leaves — but a few of them seemed to have loitered longer than necessary, having me wonder if they were expecting to receive a gratuity for doing their job.
Part of the expectation of staying at a hotel or resort property is that everything is functioning properly in the room for the duration of the stay. Things do unexpectedly happen, which is generally not a problem in and of itself — but the expectation is to return things back to normal. This is rarely exceeded with “Wow! This is working even better than I expected!”
Final Boarding Call
To answer my own question, no — I do not believe that members of the maintenance staff at hotel and resort properties should receive gratuities. That is not part of the expectation of the cost of travel as the main reason, in my opinion — not that travelers should be expected to part with significant sums of money for tips and gratuities to a variety of people…
…but more people in an increasing number of places seemingly want to receive extra money simply for doing their job. Tipping is like a cancer: it keeps growing uncontrollably.
Whatever happened to the satisfaction of a job well done without having to expect a gratuity?
Photograph ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
