Be an ethical traveller

My name is Liz and I run a homestay with two rooms in Mahablipuram. Yesterday i had two girls from Bangalore Parul Munjal and Sophie who after many days of talks on reservation came to check in to my guest house. Knowing the mentality of some people who just make reservation and dont show up, i took advance payments for their booking. On various conversation I had told them that the only room available is a twin bed. It was accepted by Sophie. on arrival they found the place had twin beds and in the meantime had gone around to find another place with double bed. They came back and handed over the keys to me and said they have found another place with double bed. of course as per my my policy i dont refund for last min cancellation. The whole point of taking an advance is lost if i had to pay them back the money at the time of check in and cancellation. The reason we take advance payments is to avoid this kind of unethical behaviour from the nouveaur riche.

Unethical because they went to the new place and complained to the owner of that place. That man thinking he owns the town called and threatened me. Sophie on the other hand said she will take action on me. I have all the proofs to show my authenticity. Threats would not and will not work with me. So i told them to go ahead with their actions.

But, all this conversations was being heard by my maid who had no home, no one and no source of being taken care of. So i take care of her, provide her stay, food , clothing and a salary. She turned around to me and told, madam, please give them their money, I dont need a salary this month out of their money.
That showed me humanity...

This morning i returned back the money to them, cos i didnt want this money in my account and in my beautiful world. My maids plea made me realise this money will never bring me happiness.

But i also learnt a very good lesson, call me judgemental, but with Indians i will be extra careful and cautious. Specially with the young generation, who is new to the world of travelling and has absolutely no ethics of travelling. Unddignified travellers.

Have dignity in your travel...If there is a policy in an accommodation provider, obey them. Even if it means you lose your money. Keep up your word and do not think you can change the policies anywhere. I gave them the money not as a change in policy, but because of my maid. She didnt want that money and i realised that is a cursed negative fund.

Before you take up a place, read and understand the place well. My pictures are exactly the way my place is. so there is absolute transparency in the way i deal with my clients. Its better to have an empty room than make money by lying and having to deal with such cheap and unethical clients.

My life is way too beautiful to be stooping to that level for a living. Be a classy traveller and not a dirt bag like these girls. Some images of the room in my guest house...