Destinations known | Chinese and American tourists admit to stealing from hotel rooms, do you?
- From toiletries and towels to mattresses and mini-fridges, certain guests take more than they are entitled to
- The petty pilferers taking anything that would otherwise be disposed of should consider the environmental impact of their actions
As far as most hotel guests are concerned, the miniature moisturiser and sample-size bottle of shampoo are theirs for the taking. In some instances, so too are the toilet rolls, dressing gowns, towels; everything but the bathroom sink. But what exactly is fair game, what remains off-limits and how many of us have helped ourselves to more than we are entitled to when checking out?
According to a recent survey conducted by Japanese television station Fuji TV, almost two-thirds of Chinese tourists professed to pilfering from hotel properties; of the 100 people polled, 63 admitted their guilt. A 2015 study by Travelzoo found that 69 per cent of Americans had admitted to such indiscretions, while one conducted by booking site Hotels.com concluded that Argentinian and Singaporean tourists had the stickiest fingers.
A report in Taiwanese English-language daily Taiwan News about the Fuji TV findings explained that the items most commonly appropriated by Chinese guests included toothbrushes, slippers, hair dryers and toiletries. But with the exception of electrical devices, aren’t the other objects intended for guests to use until they can be used no more?
“The general rule of thumb is that if it can’t be reused [by someone else], then it can be taken,” David Spasovic, marketing manager of Hotels.com, told Australian travel website Escape. “Miniature toiletries, shower caps, combs, disposable razors and toothbrushes; these are all goodies that can be swiped.”
Indeed, hotel-branded “souvenirs” such as these practically promote expropriation, having been designed to evoke fond memories of a stay with every subsequent use.
