Note: Stupid Tip of the Day is a fairly new but no so new regular feature of The Gate which will not be featured regularly — if at all — after today.
A s a guest in a hotel room, do you encounter remote controls that are equipped with some functions which have been disabled? Are you squeamish that the remote control could possible be one of the worst “germ hot spots” in the room?
Fear no more — especially as this tip is not from me this time. Milepoint member kanerf has a solution which fellow members of Milepoint are calling “brilliant” and “very clever”:
I just went and bought a cheapo universal remote at Target. It cost me $8 and worked like a charm. Had an auto-learn mode, that you just turn on, point at the TV and wait till the TV turns off. When you turn it back on, the remote works all (or most) of the TV functions, including input. I did this at a full-service Marriott and it worked great. I carry a Roku with me all the time.
Although it may be a good idea, I personally will not be doing this, as I wash my hands properly and thoroughly after I handle a remote control in a hotel room; or I could use a shower cap — hotel rooms usually provide this item free of charge — to cover the remote control while I use it. If a shower cap is not available, I could either contact the front desk for one — or I could use the bag usually provided to get ice from the ice machine. Besides, I rarely watch television anyway; and I prefer to carry as few things as possible when I travel…
…but this could be a viable solution for you…
