Does being polite make sense? As the philosopher Schopenhauer claimed, politeness is a trait comparable to an inflated pillow, which, although empty inside, allows softening the blows experienced in life.
One can also debate whether there is a single theory of politeness because, after all, in different countries of the world, the rules about what is tactful and what is not vary. However, hotels get us out of this confusion by offering a set of clear and seemingly obvious rules regardless of the region of the world.
Equal if we make such places equal by traveling the world and identifying with the fact that a hotel is not our home and we are not alone in it. From this very fact, that this space is shared with many people, comes the issue of rules and each person's responsibility to follow them. The rules of proper manners apply everywhere, but in a hotel you should additionally pay attention to certain matters. How to behave properly in a hotel?
The politeness mentioned at the beginning is something you will experience in hotels from the moment you cross their thresholds. Good hotel service is extremely tactful and patient with unrefined guests. More thoughtful guests will take advantage of this and implement similar politeness in their behavior. It will manifest as a smile, greeting, farewell, asking for permission, or clarifying any ambiguities. It may seem not much, but we tend to assume we know something without asking, even if we are not at home. What else besides politeness?
Above all, in the public areas of the hotel, avoid noise, loud conversations; when connecting for work or family online chats, remember to use headphones. The nighttime quietness is also important, usually in effect from 10 p.m. Unfortunately, hotel walls are not as soundproof as we would like, so even in rooms, moderation should be maintained. In the hotel, you will usually find bottled mineral water or sets for making coffee and tea. Often there is also a minibar, which is paid for, as stated in the hotel regulations available in the hotel room as well.
Regarding all the products available in the rooms, the rule is that you can take them with you if they are disposable items, such as a shower cap, cosmetics, or a sewing kit. Other accessories, such as robes, glasses, bedside lamps, or coffee machines belong to the hotel, and taking them is equivalent to theft.
Also read: A hotel vacation, or what to bring to the hotel? We advise!
There are various standards regarding bringing your own meals to the hotel. There is no single rule here; much depends on the availability of a restaurant or bar in the hotel. However, it should be kept in mind that even if the staff does not pay attention to this, you should not flaunt your food, consume it in the hotel's common areas, or demand plates or cutlery from the staff to eat more comfortably. And what about using the restaurant? Of course, the rule of relative quiet, politeness applies here too, but you should also remember that entering the restaurant often requires giving the staff your room number. This applies to meals included in the stay price. Often, the staff will also direct us to a specific table.
If there is a need to combine tables, it should be agreed upon with the staff and not done independently. In the hotel restaurant, there is also a rule not to take food away for storage. Serving smaller portions at a buffet is well-regarded. It is better perceived to come back more often for seconds than to pile an overly full plate. Restaurants also have a smoking ban. Hotels usually have designated places where smoking is allowed. Smoking in common areas can result in a fine, not to mention that the fire safety systems installed in hotels may react to smoke, creating an uncomfortable situation for all guests and staff.
Also read: Ecological hotel and zero waste — what is it about?
A hotel, as different territory than ours, can be governed by different rules than ours. It is not said that in our own homes we have to follow hotel rules every day, but usually we follow some, as social beings. We can be night owls who like loud music. However, if we are not ignorants, we can be interested in what is expected of us, just as we are interested in the culture of the country we are visiting. Everything thus comes down to our willingness and sensitivity to the presence of others.
