Aloha Everyone,
We prefer to give gratuities on a weekly basis during long stays.One can express gratitude by words, but it is far more appreciated when the deed is done in kind. As a standard practice, the two of us show our gratitude to service staffs especially to those with whom we come in contact every day.
Our interactions are extremely limited. I can comfortably say in Turkish good morning, good evening, hello, how are you? I’m fine thanks, I speak English. Oh, to walk away from pestering merchants, “No thanks. Bye and good luck.”
While English is the common languages of communication, these staff members in the restaurant come from neighboring countries. One is Russian, another, from the Asia-Minor region and two others have features that could be Arabic and Chinese.
To show their gratitude, they serve us Turkish coffee which is not in the buffet item. They also smile at us breaking their normal stern expressions.
Our housekeeper knows when we vacate the room, and she tries to finish cleaning before we return. Her showing of gratitude are the daily water bottles. Usually, two per room but we are now getting 8 bottles. She also restocks our bathroom amenities including cotton balls, Q-tips, face soap, shower caps, shampoo and body lotions.
Small gestures can open people's hearts and show that this really is a small world.
Aloha -- Cathi
