12 strange and confusing things about hotels

7. Hidden charges. Hotels seem to be learning from the airlines because nickel and diming seems to be more prevalent these days. In my room I see eight different chargeable amenities, such as Fiji Water $6, Wi-Fi $20, and pay-per-view movies starting at around $10.

8. The sneak peek. Speaking of movies and charging, as you surf your way through the many TV channels you may land on a movie that is fairly recent. You watch it and after 10 minutes a big sign pops up telling you that you need to pay to see the rest. You’re fairly disappointed and continue to channel surf, when you reach the adult entertainment and get an eyeful. You watch a bit and the pay sign comes up more quickly than for the other movie, but if you switch channels back and forth your preview returns which allows you to see what happens in the end (or to whose end).

9. Suggested sales price. Go to your room closet and notice that often there will be a suggested rate for your room charge. Does anyone ever pay as much as they post? Is its purpose to make you think you got a great deal? The airlines usually pay for my room, but the posted price is always more than I would ever be willing to pay.

10. The wake up. Even though there is always an alarm clock in the room I always prefer the wake up call (in case I improperly set the alarm, or that the volume is too soft. One tip from many readers was to always check that your alarm clock hasn’t already been set by the previous occupant.

11. Turned on. More often in foreign hotels, you are confronted with a host of light switches, each operating different lights. You find that when it is time for sleeping you attempt to turn off all the lights, but never quite get the combination correct and end up performing a light show, but many times there is that one lamp that you have to actually turn off by hand.

12. Cushioning the blow. It seems to be either feast or famine with hotel pillows. One hotel gives you a single rock-hard pillow while another gives you eight. How about a happy medium?

I just got back from Beijing and the Olympics and one of the most unusual aspects of my trip was that among the hotel room toiletries was a condom. I have stayed in thousands of different hotels but this was the first time a condom was supplied intentionally. It even had the hotel logo on it. I was in a Communist country and was pleasantly shocked, to say the least.

Deal of the Day Newfoundland and Labrador Explore World Heritage sites, glimpse into the life of the Vikings, more, from $1,635.

Now, I am married and have little use for this item, but since the sink had many signs stating the water was not potable, I used it in a different way. If you’re like me you brush your teeth in the morning and don’t think twice about rinsing out your tooth brush. Many times I would do this with non-potable water and then catch myself minutes after the fact. Well, in an attempt to practice safe oral hygiene, I put the condom over the water faucet to remind myself not to use the water. The maid probably thought I was crazy, but it did the job. And if you’re at all curious, the condoms in China are same size as ours: one size fits all faucets.

Do you have any hotel oddities to share? Send them to me and let’s have a laugh and get them on paper.

James Wysong has worked as a flight attendant with two major international carriers during the past fifteen years. He is the author of the "The Plane Truth: Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet" and "The Air Traveler's Survival Guide." For more information about James or his books, please visit his Web site or e-mail him.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com   The top-rated travel photos of 2009 America’s wildest winter adventures   Popular ski playgrounds around U.S. Offbeat holiday celebrations Best places to spend Christmas

MORE FROM TIPS

Tips Section Front

7 trips you should never book online Have smartphones licked the language barrier? Offbeat holiday celebrations Holiday gift guide 2009 A frequent traveler's holiday wish list How to save on one-way flights 5 common travel mistakes — and how to fix them An all-inclusive hotel that wasn’t all that Budget Travel’s guilt-free gift guide Find the perfect gift for travelers on your list Tips Section Front   Add Tips headlines to your news reader: