On my first day as a hotel housekeeper, I was determined to make a perfect impression. I meticulously cleaned every room, ensuring each surface gleamed. But as I worked, a peculiar pattern emerged: guests of all kinds were consistently placing their suitcases in the bathtubs.
At first, I dismissed it as a coincidence. However, seeing it repeatedly piqued my curiosity. The next day, I casually asked my colleagues about the strange habit. They weren’t surprised. A seasoned housekeeper named Maria explained, "They’re protecting their luggage from tiny, unwanted visitors. Bedbugs can't climb the smooth surface of a tub."
The reason clicked into place. What I had mistaken for odd behavior was a clever, practical precaution. This was confirmed later that week when I spoke with an elderly couple who had their suitcase in the tub. The husband shared a story of a past infestation they had brought home, a nightmare that taught them to never take chances again.
From then on, I no longer saw a suitcase in a bathtub as something strange. Instead, I saw a story—a fragment of wisdom collected from the road. Each bag represented a traveler who had learned a difficult lesson and adapted. I realized that travel is as much about gathering these small, protective habits as it is about seeing new places.
Now, when I check into a hotel, I know exactly what to do. I glance at the bathtub and, more often than not, give my own suitcase a safe spot to rest.
