In Europe, I always tipped the little old ladies outside the restrooms, because I know it must be a crappy job (pun most certainly intended) keeping those public bathrooms clean.

But hotels? I've never tipped the housekeeping staff...I didn't even know it was common practice till I was told by Japanese tourists.

Quote Originally Posted by Utopian View Post
The ONLY time I used a restroom in France, when I stopped there on a trip to England, I was completely weirded out by the FEMALE attendant in the restroom. I had no idea if I was supposed to tip her or not but it seemed rather odd to me to have a female attendant in the men's room.

BTW, I did not tip her as I did not have any interaction with her other than the uneasy interlude at the urinal when I noticed her watching me. I was able to wash my hands and leave without any assistance from her. I later surmised that I should have tipped her simply for keeping the restroom clean. Oh well, next time.

HAH! In Japan, the old ladies come in and clean around you while you're doing your business! I'm still not used to that. That, and the public bathrooms in parks are often just a roof over a wall of urinals...totally open to view. But that's a different story...