I try to balance the being thoughtful part with not being too exhausting part. I want to avoid leakage as much as possible but if I'm doing a whole bunch of planning in a row, I confess not every hotel I book is looked at super closely. I do try and rent Airbnbs that are owned by locals and definitely try and avoid places like Barcelona.
Regarding being treated special, I, too, hate that but someone did point out something interesting to me: when you are in a country where that is more common, by abstaining from that system -- i.e., carrying your own bags, which I always want to do because I hate being fussed over -- deprives someone of their tips and could eventually eliminate that job.
My way of dealing with that, is being incredibly grateful, incredibly respectful -- thank you very much, sir! and yes, please, ma'am, my room is ready to be made up -- and by tipping generously.
I wish the world were different and want to affect change where I can. But there is only so much to be done.
I think your approach is exemplary! Agree re the balance of thoughtful and exhausting - and I think over time these things become easier/more familiar.
Very interesting/valid point re the tipping etc. My late (American) stepfather and I once had an argument because I wanted to carry my own bag the 50m from the car to the check-in desk at LAX and he insisted I should allow someone else to do it for me and pay them. As a very budget-conscious 20yo with no background in tipping in Australia this made zero sense to me but he posed that same argument. He was probably (in this rare case 😂) correct!
I've found a small, locally owned, reasonably priced hotel in Naples, with a cafe and restaurant, also locally owned nearby, so I'm happy that I'm supporting local business, hopefully of the right sort.
Valletta in Malta was a very different story. Trying to find available central accommodation (booking 3 months out) that seemed as though it was locally owned, wasn't thousands of dollars for a 4 night stay, that wasn't seriously dodgy, was a task and a half. I've ended up going with an apartment but its not locally owned. Sometimes its hard to get all your travel ethics right and you just have to do the best you can.
Oh I completely agree - intention is the most important thing and doing the best you can under the circumstances. Sometimes the information just isn't there, or it's as you suggest crazy expensive! I think you're doing great.
I try to balance the being thoughtful part with not being too exhausting part. I want to avoid leakage as much as possible but if I'm doing a whole bunch of planning in a row, I confess not every hotel I book is looked at super closely. I do try and rent Airbnbs that are owned by locals and definitely try and avoid places like Barcelona.
Regarding being treated special, I, too, hate that but someone did point out something interesting to me: when you are in a country where that is more common, by abstaining from that system -- i.e., carrying your own bags, which I always want to do because I hate being fussed over -- deprives someone of their tips and could eventually eliminate that job.
My way of dealing with that, is being incredibly grateful, incredibly respectful -- thank you very much, sir! and yes, please, ma'am, my room is ready to be made up -- and by tipping generously.
I wish the world were different and want to affect change where I can. But there is only so much to be done.
It's complicated!
I think your approach is exemplary! Agree re the balance of thoughtful and exhausting - and I think over time these things become easier/more familiar.
Very interesting/valid point re the tipping etc. My late (American) stepfather and I once had an argument because I wanted to carry my own bag the 50m from the car to the check-in desk at LAX and he insisted I should allow someone else to do it for me and pay them. As a very budget-conscious 20yo with no background in tipping in Australia this made zero sense to me but he posed that same argument. He was probably (in this rare case 😂) correct!
Well, if one is a broke twenty-year-old, allowances should be made!
Haha indeed!
I hear what you're saying.
I have an upcoming holiday in Italy and Malta.
I've found a small, locally owned, reasonably priced hotel in Naples, with a cafe and restaurant, also locally owned nearby, so I'm happy that I'm supporting local business, hopefully of the right sort.
Valletta in Malta was a very different story. Trying to find available central accommodation (booking 3 months out) that seemed as though it was locally owned, wasn't thousands of dollars for a 4 night stay, that wasn't seriously dodgy, was a task and a half. I've ended up going with an apartment but its not locally owned. Sometimes its hard to get all your travel ethics right and you just have to do the best you can.
Oh I completely agree - intention is the most important thing and doing the best you can under the circumstances. Sometimes the information just isn't there, or it's as you suggest crazy expensive! I think you're doing great.