Cheeky to order room service or not?

[Itsanotherworldisntit]

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?

I definitely wouldn’t mention it to the parents and make it all awkward

Seriously, how would you be getting it wrong when someone has clearly told you to do something?

Do you think people say it and don't mean it?

If I told you to help yourself to tea/coffee/cake/biscuits, etc., in my house would you think I didn't really mean it?

You would rather sit there thirsty and hungry because for some reason you think I'm talking shite?

I never expect food and sometimes bring crisps with my water, all always say help yourselves, sometines I do, sometimes I don’t. Never left a takeaway menu or said to order room service
My babysitter for my Dd rarely comes for longer than 4 hours, but I always leave snacks out for both my Dd and her to have together if they like and drinks

And if they say Hope you had something nice from room service? what are you going to say? All this daft prevaricating is what is awkward.

I think it’s clearly fine to order in these circumstances, but what’s a bit weird is not being able to pay yourself if you have concerns, because you obviously have a smartphone even if you didn’t bring a card (also a bit odd as you have your wallet with you)

Yep. Don’t make it awkward tonight when they come back. But since you have another booking later, clarify any thing that’s still worrying you well in advance of the next shift.
But don’t go in all wet and drippy. I need confidence you’d know what to do in a crisis, and keeping yourself fed is way down the list of worst case scenarios I need to know you can handle by yourself as my babysitter.

@PlacidPenelope I don’t think they will tbh, but I’ll just say I was fine and thank them 🤷🏻‍♀️

@PinkTonic Cards not in my wallet, not that weird is it 🤷🏻‍♀️Don’t have card linked up to my phone, not that common where I am, should perhaps do that in the future though

@FrogInASock Yes, can handle myself in all situations in my job obviously

Its not thinking you are talking shite, its the ambiguity of "just order something to be sent up". It doesnt specify who is paying.

Its an expensive deal ordering room service in a 5*, and the OP would hardly be babysitting for them if she could afford to stay there herself! I wouldnt want to spend an evening babysitting only for half of what I earned to be witheld for my food, so I would go without and confirm who is paying for next time.

I have met some people who would assume they were paying, you appear to be one of them, but also the richest people I have met can also be the tightest when it comes to "the help". So I wouldnt put it past someone prepared to pay £1000 a night for a room to bregrudge paying for a £25 burger. So I wouldnt risk it. Frankly, I cannot afford a misunderstanding.

Perhaps its an age thing, I used to tie myself in knots over this but now I would be direct and say "Just to be clear, am I charging to your bill or paying myself?" simple question and easy to answer.

Because they probably forgot to mention it before leaving.
Either way, whether it was an afterthought is irrelevant, because it was clearly offered! They didn't leave money because it goes on their bill!

I'd find it awkward as arse too OP. It's a strange dynamic. Business relationship but necessarily personal because of the nature of the work. Throw in the offer of an overpriced club sandwich being brought to a room that isn't yours-nope. I'd struggle to relax into that.

Even the thought of sitting in a hotel room that you can't relax in makes me unable to unclench.

'Feel free to order something' is her telling you they'll cover it! Otherwise why would you need her to say so?
Also whenever I've had people babysit in the evening I've provided food.

I'd overthink this too. Help yourself to anything? Order something? I'd agonise whether they meant food or drink and did they know how expensive it was. Just out of interest, is there not a mini fridge with a packet of sweets in it?

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

@PyongyangKipperbang there is nothing ambiguous there, the people who hired OP state that they haven't been able to get anything for her before her arrival so she is to feel free to order something to be sent up instead.

The key words are feel free they know it will be charged to their room, they do not expect the OP to pay for it otherwise they would not have mentioned it at all.

Anyone who stays in a 5 star hotel knows how expensive the food is and doesn't have to care.

@Willowkins I can’t find a mini bar, def expected one, do they not do that anymore

🤣🤣🤣

If you're unsure, I’d send the family a quick text just to clarify what they meant.

@Itsanotherworldisntit maybe it's heavily disguised as a posh cupboard. I'd suggest trying all the drawers except that seems weird too.

Post Covid, a lot of hotels just provide a fridge and at 5* you request them to fill it with miniatures. Also has the benefit of not needing to pay staff to check the contents each day.

Seriously, @Itsanotherworldisntit - you need to work on your confidence and self esteem to stop yourself from this kind of twisted illogical thinking. Lots of self-help books available, e.g. The Six Pillars of Self Esteem.

İf you're finding it really hard, can you order yourself something on deliveroo/Uber eats and ask reception to bring it up?

@PaminaMozart Its probably true, wonder why I’m like this if others aren’t

For heaven's sake, OP, she told you to order food. She was probably embarrassed that there was nothing to offer you. She had asked you to babysit for several hours and knew you wouldn't have any other way of getting something to eat.

I'm sorry, but you are being a martyr over this. It's ridiculous that you are starving and still won't even order a sandwich. Of course you shouldn't order lobster and champagne, but sandwich and tea or a soft drink is absolutely fine.