I wasn’t aware about this specific way that corporate America is creating cultural habits that benefit them at the expense of the consumer. I’ll confess that it’s odd to learn about them from a fellow consumer.

It seems to me that hotels should be more upfront about their staff being unpaid and clearly post the guidelines you’ve shared about donations from guests. Although, I suppose that if they cared about the well being of their staff, they would pay them a livable wage in the first place.

As for me, I’m irked that I’ve evidently been a cheapskate over the years. I’m generally a very tidy person—I make my bed, take off my shoes when entering the room, and neatly organize my things in my suitcase and in the wardrobe. I find it awkward and unnecessary for housekeeping to attend to my room daily, and now I feel torn and more awkward about having to pay somebody extra for something I don’t want or deem necessary.