Five-fingered discounts

The Luxique travel blog has recently noted that that the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) is loosing millions of dollars every year due to theft in what is apparently known in the business as “five-fingered discounts.” And its not just little items likes pens or wash cloths. In fact, items that have disappeared from Aussie hotel rooms include everything from toilet flushing mechanisms to a TV set with base and a giant metal statue of a kangaroo. Moreover, men and women are equally guilty as women are more likely to take designer toiletries and towels while men are tempted by bottle openers, shoe shine kits, glasses and mini bar items.

Meanwhile, the same blog has also noted that the former US Ambassador in London, Raymond Seitz, likes to pilfer “Do Not Disturb” signs and has now amassed a collection of 500 according to Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Apparently though, he is now alone as there is even a website dedicated to “Do Not Disturb” sign collectors that was set up by someone who has collected 6,000 of them!