In lieu of tips in Cambodia to those who are not normally tipped, one can make a contribution to places like the Ponheary Ly Foundation or make some microloans via Kiva and their Cambodian partners (see more in FlyerTalk Cares! Forum), or contribute to the amazing KANTHA BOTHA hospitals founded by Dr. Beat "Betocello" Richner (see here).

Any of these will touch a number of lives and have a lasting effect; it certainly is what I have done, and continue to, do years after being in Cambodia.

That's an outrageous tip for anything but an expensive western meal. Seriously, 1-2,000 Riel is sufficient in almost all cases. That's akin to leaving the coins received as change as a tip in Thailand.

I don't think anyone has touched on how tipping is really deeply integrated into Cambodian culture. When a driver/guide brings a good paying customer to a business..... the proprietor of said business often tips the driver/guide as a measure of good will to express his gratitude for having a good paying customer delivered to his door.

Your driver/guide has undoubtedly been tipped plenty on account of driving you around. Whether you noticed it or not.

Often this is quite innocent, fair play and part of the culture and has no more negative impact on you than if a western business offered you some bonus for signing up a friend. Sometimes it plays out in much more sinister commission racquets.

But that is the way "tipping" integrates as part of Cambodian culture. Trust me your driver/guide was tipped.

AKA kick-backs.

Please do not give money to the street kids. This encourages them to stay out of school and to beg instead of get an education. In some homes, parents will force the younger kids to beg in order to augment the family income. A sweet slightly dirty little girl with big eyes gets a handout much quicker than a begging able bodied adult.

+1000000!!!

Doing this also causes these little urchins, or feral children if you prefer, to gravitate toward foreigners expecting money.

Please do not give the kids anything.... even food.

Was just in Cambodia.

IMHO, as in China, tipping is something imported by foreign tourists and which is not part of the native scene.

Nonetheless, some tourists cannot control themselves in their imported desire to tip where it is inappropriate.

PS I am still laughing about the clipboarded list on the counter, at the immigration crossing from Thailand, where you could sign-up to give 100 Baht in explicitly stated (in English) "tea money" to the thuggish looking Cambodian authorities.

Bad enough to give the corrupt government twenty bucks cash for the visa.

I think that your attempt at satire was, perhaps, too subtle. Some readers might think you were serious using the term "feral children." Please tell me you weren't serious.

To be fair, I think the Colonial Brits and other Europeans were galavanting around the globe handing out gratuities long before Squanto showed us Yanks how to feed ourselves in exchange for a flintlock. In some places it took hold as 'tipping' where others it evolved into something along the lines of Egyptian baksheesh (more bribe than tip). Other places get the tip out of you one way or another (by altering your service according to what you paid). Our tipping culture in the US didn't begin in force until the late 19th century, when the nouveau riche decided to be more cosmopolitan and mimic the European custom at the time.

The thing about culture (or custom) is that it mixes and spreads, and nobody owns it. The same romantic notion that travelers shouldn't upset 'quaint' local customs ("look dear, it's so nice, they still live in grass houses!") can also lead to preservation of disease and high infant mortality. There are far more dangerous things in this world than misplaced American generosity, however naive and unnecessary it may be.

You took exception to 'feral children' but not 'urchins'? Hmmmmmm......

Yep. But just from my observation, these days it's Americans that do it more than anyone else. So I don't think "US custom" is unfair.

I would suggest too that whilst those from non-tipping cultures usually feel they should tip when local custom requires it, Americans have a greater propensity to insist on tipping (they need it, doesn't do any harm, it's my money etc) in non-tipping cultures.

As you say, there is a link with bribery, all be it plausibly deniable in the case of tipping.

It is an fascinating topic. So interesting, I wrote my law masters' dissertation on it a while back. The UK has since enacted a draconian law (Bribery Act 2010) which even had the Post Office issuing guidance to postmen as to when they could/could not accept a tip at Christmas. It is extra-territorial in effect and unlike the US FCPA applies to overseas private transactions.

A courageous comment!

Urchins?
 

The term "feral child" is most often used to describe children raised by animals. Surely that is not what you are inferring. Or is it?

Are you asking a question or answering it.

How about feral urchins.

Interesting topic for a dissertation for sure!

The funny thing is that while we Americans tend to be tip-happy overseas, we really only tip waiters, bartenders and cabbies back home. I don't know too many people at all, especially outside of big cities, who would even consider tipping the mailman, the doorman, etc. Also funny is that many of us are too prideful and would rather drag our luggage up multiple flights of stairs than ever tip a bellhop to bring it to our room for us.

As for Cambodia... immensely enjoying the posts here. Moving to the region next year, so taking in all I can get. Keep it coming!

For years now, the US Government which includes the USPS has had a code of ethical conduct which prohibits postal/federal employees from accepting gratuities (including Christmas tips) as a result of executing their official duties ... I don't see it as draconian, or, frankly, as something new.