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Original poster

Cheeky to order room service or not?

230 replies

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 19:54

I’m babysitting in a 5 star hotel (live abroad, I’m a teacher and babysitting on the side pays well)
Lovely family, just put baby down, the mum texted and said to make yourself comfortable etc and help myself to anything, but that as they’d just arrived, don’t have anything really and to feel free to order something to be sent up (assuming that would go on their bill?)
Been here since 6, will be here for 6 hours, should have brought some snacks really but was sorting out my own Dd before I left and no time to nip to the shop on the way,

I’m hungry, but that’s cheeky right?

Would you order or no?

OP posts:
PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:22

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:18

@MummySleepDeprived But does the bill come at the end of their stay or will they get an alert or something on their phone from internet banking that it’s been paid. See there’s really no point as it causes me more anxiety than it’s worth ffs 😂

Stop overthinking for goodness sake. They will get it on their bill when they check out and I doubt they'll even look closely just pay for the extras that no doubt they will have run up as well as your sandwich and drink.

JustPleachy · 21/06/2024 21:22

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:15

Why. I get their rich but 20/30 euros for a sandwich is crazy and I wouldn't expect anyone to spend that on me just like I don't expect my boss to buy me lunch at work.I don't even pay the babysitter that for looking after my kids for a few hours

Show quote history

Because they told her she should feel free to order. OP wringing her hands and saying you can take it out of my pay is unnecessary obsequious. The clients clearly prefer to treat OP as an equal (as they should).

Offering to have it taken out of her pay would be the equivalent to going to a friends house and offering them 50p for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

And it’s got nothing to do with the actual cost of the sandwich. It would just be incredibly ill mannered to offer to pay for when it has been offered.

onetrickrockingpony · 21/06/2024 21:21

good god please do not overthink this.

she told you to order something up. she knows that room service is expensive. she booked the hotel. she has stayed in many hotels. she clearly doesn't want to be cheap or be disrespectful to you.

stop worrying about the money, she's already factored it into the cost of the evening. she has literally explicitly tried to make you feel comfortable and order, and you're overthinking it.

order something basic. at the end of the evening say thank you for mentioning dinner and say that you ordered the soup/club sandwich/tomato pasta. If you absolutely have to, say that you don't expect it and you're happy to bring a sandwich with you next time.

CheeseWisely · 21/06/2024 21:21

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:18

@MummySleepDeprived But does the bill come at the end of their stay or will they get an alert or something on their phone from internet banking that it’s been paid. See there’s really no point as it causes me more anxiety than it’s worth ffs 😂

It'll go on the bill and they'll pay at check out.

WarmDenimCrab · 21/06/2024 21:20

Half at their expense and, if you're still hungry, half off deliveroo!!

PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:20

You've got yourself in such a tizz over this, just go without. You had the offer it's on you that you failed to take it up. They expect you to do this they'll be mystified as to why you didn't.

bunnypenny · 21/06/2024 21:19

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:16

@EllyGi Starving 😂but now I’m thinking they’ll be back in an hour and a half

I wouldn’t even think twice. I assume my babysitters will get a takeaway and I’ll pay. If you’re worried, just message them and say something like - your kid is sleeping, all good! Are you sure you’re happy for me to get room service? I’m happy to wait and get something at home if necessary.

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:18

I’ll eat a chocolate off a pillow, they may notice that though 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:18

@MummySleepDeprived But does the bill come at the end of their stay or will they get an alert or something on their phone from internet banking that it’s been paid. See there’s really no point as it causes me more anxiety than it’s worth ffs 😂

OP posts:
Mrsphilmiller · 21/06/2024 21:18

Why don’t you order something and later explain, you had to order a meal for yourself, you noticed how expensive it was and you had to charge their room but they can also send you the bill for the food.

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:18

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:16

@EllyGi Starving 😂but now I’m thinking they’ll be back in an hour and a half

If their back in an hour and a half just wait and grab a takeaway on the way home

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:16

@EllyGi Starving 😂but now I’m thinking they’ll be back in an hour and a half

OP posts:
MummySleepDeprived · 21/06/2024 21:16

Order a sandwich and don't give it another thought. Yes they will see the bill. It may or may not be itemised. So what? This is what she said to do.

Stop fretting or the kitchen will close.

CALL

Sotiredmjmmy · 21/06/2024 21:15

Why don’t you just order, tell them when they get back and offer to pay, then they have opportunity to take you up on that if they want to, but doesn’t sound from it that they will expect you to pay but at least you’ll know you have been above board with them and given the option

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:15

JustPleachy · 21/06/2024 21:11

Good god, don’t do this! Mortifying for both parties involved.

Show quote history

Why. I get their rich but 20/30 euros for a sandwich is crazy and I wouldn't expect anyone to spend that on me just like I don't expect my boss to buy me lunch at work.I don't even pay the babysitter that for looking after my kids for a few hours

EllyGi · 21/06/2024 21:15

It's been 1 hour already? Are you even still hungry? Just don't order anything, you seem too stressed out, you won't enjoy it and you will be super worried if that will cause issues so just don't. Have some baby snacks. They are delicious 🤣 I love the mango purees lol

MoMo999 · 21/06/2024 21:15

I wouldn't go mad ordering in case it is on your bill - but go ahead, order something reasonable and if they ask you to pay, stump up. Otherwise all good.

Fluffypuppy1 · 21/06/2024 21:14

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 20:14

Hmm so was looking in the drawers etc as can’t even find a menu/booklet thing that they always have in hotels 🤷🏻‍♀️has phones where there’s the button to contact reception. Just paranoid say the brought some food up (would only go for a toastie or something) and if they asked for my card or something, I know that doesn’t usually happen but knowing my luck it would 😅
Why are there no menu thingies

If there aren’t any menus in the room then you’ll find one on guest services on the tv.

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:13

And yes I do generally overthink things 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:13

So they will only see on bill when they leave? I think it’s more awkward to mention it/go on about when they’re home tbh

OP posts:
JustPleachy · 21/06/2024 21:11

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:07

I would go with what above poster said I ordered this and it cost this I didn't have enough money so charged it to your room can you take it of my pay and then hopefully they will say that's fine their happy to pay and then next week bring your own food

Edited

Good god, don’t do this! Mortifying for both parties involved.

CurlewKate · 21/06/2024 21:11

She said to order something-so order something!

Morningsiesta · 21/06/2024 21:11

Depends on culture though... Sorry, I'm getting over invested in this! I think I'll have to go make myself a sandwich. Good luck, OP!

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 21/06/2024 21:11

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:07

I would go with what above poster said I ordered this and it cost this I didn't have enough money so charged it to your room can you take it of my pay and then hopefully they will say that's fine their happy to pay and then next week bring your own food

Edited

But they told her to. Why go through the palaver of fake hand-wringing about not having money and asking them to dock her pay?! That's so embarrassing and will make them feel bad that they'd put her in an awkward position.

PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:10

I assume they are paying a decent rate for your services and didn't baulk at the cost? So, why would they at the cost of a sandwich and drink from room service when they told you to do that?