Bonton

Bonton

A simple Guide, dedicated above all to those who are not well acquainted with Hotels. A way of keeping abreast of the most commonly used terminology, and a wealth of suggestions for impeccable behaviour in every situation, from making a booking to paying your bill.

Dos and Don’ts

– Politeness and good behaviour normally attain the best results. Hence, behave towards others as you would have them behave towards you.

– If you must make a complaint, do not assume an aggressive attitude towards staff and, most importantly, never raise your voice in the Lobby.

– Should your room not yet be ready when you arrive at the hotel and you are obliged to wait in the Lobby or Bar for it to be prepared, avoid slouching or adopting inelegant positions, such as putting your feet on the table in front of you.

– Before voicing a complaint, ensure that you have good reason to do so. If the restaurant does not allow patrons to enter in shorts, but has a dress code of trousers and a jacket, it is not the Maître d’s fault; they are the rules of the establishment, so there is no point in complaining. You had better try another restaurant … perhaps a less formal one.

When you Check in or Check out

– Good manners dictate that the first thing to do is to greet the receptionist.

– It is usually necessary to be patient: this is not a lot to ask when you are on holiday, and especially in Resorts, despite it being more difficult to expect on working trips and in city hotels. In any case, never skip the queue telling others you are in a hurry.

– You should avoid approaching the reception desk while chewing gum or munching an apple or anything else. The time to do this is before or afterwards.

– Look beside you as well as in front of you: sometimes a patron may be waiting for an answer to an enquiry and has politely stood to one side. To avoid skipping the queue, this person should be asked whether they were there before you.

– It is good to be polite and friendly, but avoid being overly familiar or informal with the staff, particularly if it is the first time you stay in that hotel.

Tips

In Italy it is not obligatory to tip, but it is always appreciated, and it is a sign of manners to leave a tip. This is especially true when a staff member has gone out of his or her way to perform some particular service.