Modern Etiquette: The 10 things hotel staff really wish guests would stop doing.

In 2023, there's one thing that's become alarmingly apparent: No one knows how to behave anymore. 

And it's not our fault. After all, we were locked inside for basically two years. Isolated. Spent a lot of time online wearing stained trackies and watching celebrities make TikToks.

So, in a bid to help remind us all how to behave like polite human beings, we're taking a leaf out of New York Magazine's viral guide to existing in modern society and sharing some new rules.

In the Modern Etiquette series, Mamamia asks people in different fields to share their hard-line do's and don'ts, according to their expertise.

And now it's hotel staff's turn.

We asked management, housekeepers, bar staff and guest services to tell us all the things guests do that get on their nerves. And they didn't hold back.

Before we get into it, here are seven annoying plane habits you should avoid (if you can!). Post continues below.

1. Demanding late checkouts.

"If the checkout is 10am, don't argue and don't be late. If you ask beforehand or at check-in, chances are I can accommodate you. At checkout, I often can't."

"By all means ask nicely, however, if the hotel can't accommodate this, don't get angry! Often our hotel was fully booked with a high turnover rate. This means we had to get the guests out, clean the rooms and get completely new guests in all before 2pm."

2. Stealing the TV remote, light globes or... furniture.

"We expect you to take the toiletries, but the sheets, the bed, the furniture, the aircon, TV remotes and towels are off limits. Seriously, how many TV remotes do you need?"

"Don't do a Ross and take the light globes or anything that isn't nailed down."

"Don’t steal the TV remote. Such an odd one, but they are a hot commodity amongst housekeepers trying to replace the one that’s been taken from the room."

Image: Giphy.

3. Making the bed before checkout.

"Don't bother remaking the bed. If you wanted to put the effort in, strip it and put the sheets on the floor in a pile."

4. Asking to pay in cash (people still do this?).

"Stop asking to pay cash. It's not going to happen as most hotels need a credit card authority to ensure the room can be paid for at the end of the stay and for any potential damages and extras."

5. Staying in the room while it's being cleaned.

"My cousin used to be a housekeeper at a hotel and she said that the guests who stayed in the room while you cleaned and watched you pick up their stuff were the worst. If you are staying in your room during cleaning, at least pick up your stuff so they can clean around it."

"As a previous housekeeper, please leave the room momentarily while they clean. I was changing the sheets while this man just stood there and watched the whole thing. It was so awkward! He had a patio he could have sat on, but instead, he stood there and watched."

6. Using the kettle to wash your clothes.

"Some guests use the kettle to wash clothes and other things which is just gross and put me off ever using one again."

Image: Giphy.

7. Leaving your sex toys out.

"Don't leave your sex toys out for housekeeping to tidy up, please. Also, there is a rubbish bin, please put your used things in it."

8. Or having sex just to be caught.

"Don't have sex to be caught when you just asked for towels from housekeeping. They don't enjoy it."

9. Filming porn in the room.

"Please stop filming porn! It’s so obvious when a crew walks through the lobby and asks for 20 room keys with makeup artists, a camera crew, costume and lighting crew, and the full set-up."

Image: Giphy.

10. Being a d**k.

"The nicer you are to the hotel reception the more likely you are to get a late checkout, an upgrade, a bottle of champagne in the room, etc. Whenever someone complained or demanded an upgrade it made me way less likely to accommodate them." 

"In general, please stop being disrespectful. If the front desk cannot find your booking, extend your stay, upgrade you, etc it is not their fault and they will do everything they can to help, except if you're mean and angry."

"More often than not we got into this industry because we love people and making them happy. The last few years have been rough, kindness goes a long way and also ensures we keep great people in the industry."

Read more Modern Etiquette articles here:

• Modern Etiquette: The 10 things hairdressers wish you'd stop doing when you come in.
• Modern Etiquette: The 12 things teachers wish parents would stop doing and saying.
• Modern Etiquette: The 10 things makeup artists really wish you'd stop doing.

Feature image: Getty.