Who here knows that when you stay the night at a hotel, you’re supposed to tip the housekeeper? Okay. Now who out of the ones who knew that actually does so?



For those of you who do not know, I have taken up a part-time housekeeping job at a local hotel. When my fall semester starts back up I will only be working weekends (for those of you who are worried about my studies)



Now before I continue on with my …journal, let me list the details of what I do.



1) Strip bedding/pillow cases, and bed mats.(and put them into a dirty laundry bin)
2) Gather all used towels/hand towels/washcloths/and towel mats.(these also go in the dirt laundry bin)
3) Empty trashcans/clean them out/dry them/and put fresh bags in all.
4) Collect any and ALL garbage and dispose of it.(this does include disgusting things that I will not list)
5) Scrub tub/toilet/sink/mirror/ and floor (without a mop) in the bathroom.
6) Restock bathroom (two shampoos/and conditioners, 4 cups, facial soap, deodorant bar, 4 towels, 4 hand towels, 4 washcloths,1 bathmat, and 2 rolls of toilet paper) (plus I have to arrange the bathmat/deodorant bar, and 1 washcloth in a pretty arrangement on the tub, make sure the shower curtain is in the MIDDLE of the bathtub, and that the edge of the toilet paper roll is folded into a point) Now the bathroom is done… but only if there is no water spots or streaks anywhere in the bathroom.
7) Dust/wipe down all furniture. (TV stand and TV, dressers, window sill, dining table, end table, lamps, mirror, coffee pot.)
8) Restock bedroom (two packets of coffee, creamer, sugar, coffee sticks, 4 cups, and TV guide.)
9) Get fresh sheet sets/pillow cases(enough for two pillows per bed) wool blanket, and comforter.
10) Remake beds. Fitted sheet, than second sheet, than wool blanket. Fold the top of the SECOND sheet 3 inches over the top of the wool blanket and tuck the sheet + wool blanket into the underside of the mattress(make sure that the corners of the mattress match and fold over neatly) Now take your comforter and drape on the bed but only enough to lightly brush the floor. The leftover comforter will fold neatly over the top of the pillows.
11) Now take the channel list and place the TV guide on the left side of the list and place the remote on the left side of the TV guide.
12) Make sure microwave and refrigerator are clean and open.
13) Vacuum the floor and hallway leading to the room.
14) Make sure all lights are turned off, windows closed, and window curtain opened halfway.
15) Take laundry bin and empty it.
16) Proceed to next room.
17) When all rooms are done, restock carts for the next day.




Plus please keep in mind that I am only allotted 25 min per room to finish them (otherwise I get chewed out)



Okay now to the point of that list. Housekeeping is not something to be ashamed about. It is hard, thankless and often disgusting, work. I am very sore at the end of every shift, and sometimes I feel a bit …traumatized. (party rooms are scary to clean up) Therefore I do not believe that my job is something that makes me lower than everyone else. I went to work today only to have someone actually sneer at me when they found out I was a lowly housekeeper. I was talking to a guest on my break about a recent book I had read when I looked at the time and said I had to get back to work. He looked at my uniform and mistook me for a nurse. I corrected him and he sneered and said that isn’t work. And then walked off.



I do not know about you, but after he said that I felt very insulted. I will not go into detail about some of the rooms I have cleaned, but I will say that I know a lot of people who would have taken one look, say “fuck that” and walk out and quit. I, on the other hand, Look at the mess, roll up my sleeves and get to work. After all of my rooms are clean, I go home, take a look in the mirror(which never has good news) and proceed to the nearest shower and scrub until my skin is red, muttering “ew” under my breath the entire time.



I know it isn’t glamorous work. And I know I’m not doing anything that is all that special, but it is work. It does take brains, and at least I have a job. Plus I am going to school. I do not believe that I deserve any less respect than anyone else in the work force.



To those of you who are like “umm, I respect housekeepers” This was not directed at you. I just needed to rant a bit.






Kiss this