Do you leave things in hotel room after departure for the maids to take if they want them?

[helpmepleasewiththis]

I am due to leave for home after a weeks holiday and remember that my DM always used to do this. Things like unused shampoo, sanitary products etc. is this still a thing or would they find it insulting?

That's the thing - Those items were UNOPENED. Who on earth wants someone's skanky half used leftover sanitary products and toiletries?

Grim. 💀

Just remembered as well we went on a holiday once where in the reception there was a box where guests could leave things they didn't want to take home for others guests to take...things like mosquito spray, suncream, bottles of shampoo, inflatables for the pool. I thought it was a great idea and left some bits.

If my point appears Made weakly, let me be clear. You’re patrionnising,preachy and ill informed
planet isn’t fucked because of some discarded shampoo, but you already know this and are making a chiding remark to demonstrate your self perceived moral superiority. So, we are both clear I’m challenging that premise

Marie Antoinette definitely didn’t say let em eat cake
You are conflating unrelated issues, hope that helps

Why are they skanky? What do you think they are leaving ?

And for those thinking no one wants a half open packet of sanpro, I use local hand me on sites and half open packets of post partum pads are regularly given away. What a waste otherwise to throw it away. It’s easy to say bin it if it’s cheap available to you, but it’s not the case for everyone.

That's the thing - Those items were UNOPENED. Who on earth wants someone's skanky half used leftover sanitary products and toiletries

Sanitary products are either used or not. If they're unused and in individual wrapping, why wouldn't you use it? As for half used toiletries, unless there's a hygiene issue like a roll on deodorant I don't get it. A relative of mine gave me a half used shampoo and conditioner she had....she didn't want it anymore. That's not skanky.

I've never heard of this, but I can't see what's"skanky" about using sanpro from an opened pack or finishing up a bottle of shampoo.

Shampoo in a half used bottle or half of packet of sanitary products hasn’t actually been used though. What are you afraid is going to happen if you use them?

It really depends on the country. I would leave a monetary tip when in europe (and also elsewhere) but in India for example they are particularly keen for you to leave anything you don't want to take home. The tour guides are usually very good at politely mentioning this and the types of things that are appreciated. Books, pens, toiletries, trainers/sandals you might be finished with etc. If you aren't sure then you can ask at reception if they have anywhere to leave any items that would appreciated and they will usually be happy to let you know.

This is such a weird thing to do.

If it's used, bin it. If it's not used, take it with you or assume it will end up in the bin.

Yes fortunately for you, you've never been in that position.
Cant broaden your mind to actually understand that not everyone has that luxury? Plenty of PPs sharing their experience of being maids in foreign countries who say these products are gratefully received.
It might be the only chance they have to get a decent shampoo to wash their hair with, or sanitary products that they wouldnt normally be able to buy.
You should be grateful not to be in that position, but im guessing you have no experience of being a maid in a foreign country.

I’d have them. No need to be insulted on someone else’s behalf.

We go to Egypt often and we normally take an extra suitcase each of items for the locals we are friendly with. Also leave toiletries etc when we leave. Also as we have been going since 2014 to same area friends store items for us. Often when arrive we sort through them and give them a selection.

When I worked as a housekeeper in a UK hotel I was always chuffed when stuff was left for us. Didn't find it insulting at all. Tips were unexpected but appreciated. The best thing was to find that the guests had stripped the bed!

It's hard, poorly paid and often revolting work, so anything that acknowledges the housekeeping staff is appreciated.

Yes - they'll find it insulting.

It depends on where you are. For example in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar etc then they would be really grateful.

Whereas in Thailand and places in Europe it could be seen as insulting.

It depends on the culture.

I can assure you people in Morocco are poor and especially if working in budget hotels or tours. They are more than grateful for items left used and unused especially since the pandemic. We are in touch with several people who we know are often in dire need. Maybe those that work in top hotels are OK as they often get generous tips but budget hotels we stay in items donated are more than welcome.

Youth hostels, back pack places positively encouraged this everywhere I stayed had a shelf for left overs food, toiletries with signs saying help yourself. People get so hung up about this judging by this thread if it’s not your thing don’t reuse only buy new but by saying everyone would be offended is a pretty big assumption.

I'm guessing you don't work in a secondary school! If you did, you'd find that the girls' toilets have boxes of sanitary towels and tampons for the girls to help themselves to. They aren't presented with an unopened pack each, but take a single sanitary towel and/or tampon as required, and so the contents of each box is used by multiple girls.

Do you think this is grim too? If so, how would you provide sanitary products to girls who are experiencing period poverty/get their period unexpectedly/have forgotten to bring in their own supplies?

A lot of women are more than grateful in the North African countries we visit beauty products are coverted especially ones bought in from the UK

Read my post I said both opened and unopened items.

Bit rude @Zone2NorthLondon ...

I would leave things such as toiletries, cleaning equipment or unopened long life foodstuffs in self catering accommodation unless instructions specifically said not to.

You have missed the point. Which is, that people in real, dire poverty, will so often be only too grateful for our first-world ‘leftovers’.

Once in Mauritius in a 5 star hotel, only saying so no one can claim it was a skanky dive, I put a child's jumper in the bin as it had a hole in it. The room cleaner spotted it and asked if he could have it for his son, I explained there was a hole in it but he still wanted it. When we departed I left behind any clothes that my child was about to grow out of and wouldn't need again.

Now I don't think twice about leaving a partially used bottle of conditioner or clothing that won't be worn again, last time I left behind a pair of sandals that I had only worn once on holiday as I found them uncomfortable. The clothing/shoes are only things that I would bring home and take to the charity shop. The staff have the choice of binning, keeping, or passing on.