Posted on May 28, 2015
CDR Systems Engineer
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Curious as to people's opinion. I'm on orders right now, and while I never have tipped at government quarters before, it occurred to me that the housekeeping staff here is probably as poorly paid as civilian motels.
Posted in these groups: Etiquette logo Etiquette
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CPT Operations Officer (S3)
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Sir,
I've never given a thought, but in hindsight I should have. I'll be sure to tip next time I'm TDY.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Yes.

"If" they are cleaning up after you, a Gratuity (tip) is a courtesy worth extending. Especially on longer stays.
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1SG First Sergeant
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I tip house keeping wether on military orders or just for R&R. To me it is just like a barber and I tip them they are providing a service and the better the service the better the tip. When I PCS'd to HI back in the 2003 I was at the guest lodge for 78 days before getting housing and tipping them proved to pay off. I never had dirty towel and always plenty of clean, my trash was taken by them twice a day instead of once, they always left extra coffee for me, and at the end of everyday they would knock on my door to ensure that I didn't need anything before they left for the day. The extra service that they did was well worth the $35 tip a week I would give them. My family appreciated it also.
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Should you leave a tip in government lodging while on orders?
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CPT Ahmed Faried
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Should? Nothing should be compulsory especially a tip. Would? Yes, I do.
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LTC Substitute Teacher
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It seems appropriate to me especially now that military lodhing is run as hotels. The Army lodging is run by a private hotel corporation.
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CDR Systems Engineer
CDR (Join to see)
10 y
Of course, that is also a separate issue. I've seen the quality of the Navy BOQ fall apart under the private "Navy Gateway Inn & Suites". Maintenance and furnishings have been neglected as they try to maximize profit instead of value to the service member. How is the Army's contractor doing with their lodging?
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SGT James Hastings
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I'm sure they need tips.
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PO3 Wade Linschied
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Sir,
I would say a few dollars may help make a GS-03 happy.
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LTC John Wilson
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I've not really thought about it, but the JTR allows for tips to hotel employees as an incidental under Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE). Military lodging is increasingly managed by private companies who hire private employees. If they've provided exceptional service, then they should receive a reward congruent with the JTR concerning tips under M&IE (whether one choses to claim it or not).
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CPT Chief Of Internal Review
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Tips should never be compulsory, but could be considered for exceptional service.
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SSG Nuclear Security Officer
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Edited 10 y ago
If you were on business travel working for IBM, GE, Apple, would you tip the hotel staff? I think you have your answer. - sorry, accidental duplicate.
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SSG Nuclear Security Officer
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If you were on business travel working for IBM, GE, Apple, would you tip the hotel staff? I think you have your answer.
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PO1 Shahida Marmol
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I didn't know I was supposed to....OOPS
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PO1 John Miller
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CDR (Join to see), that's actually a good question Sir. I never left a tip when I was on orders and staying in government quarters, be it per diem barracks when I was single or the Navy Lodge or Army Inn after I got married. I would have to say yes, tip the staff.
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CDR Human Resources
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Yes. It is civilians that keep the rooms nice.
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