Giving lai see to cabin crew
Feb 13, 2018, 10:40 pm
#16
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It was always my habit to give out Starbucks cards - in the States, I would use that as small denomination Christmas gifts for service industry folks and in Asia, I think it is more acceptable than giving lai see (IMO). Although I would love to see the ICAC case of the HKD20 lai see.
chocolates are ok nonetheess. (I read over on the ba thread, saying why best is to get stuff on inflight duty free, is that of open food safety precaution.)
technically speaking a random customer onboard is not far different from a stranger
Feb 14, 2018, 1:46 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I will report anyone giving cash/red packets to a flight attendant as it may construe a bribe for a different/enhanced service. Don't think the ICAC will look upon this lightly either.
I haven't seen anyone done so either. Don't think it is customary for flight attendants, unlike security guards or the tea lady at work.
I haven't seen anyone done so either. Don't think it is customary for flight attendants, unlike security guards or the tea lady at work.
Feb 14, 2018, 1:50 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
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That's you imposing your culture on Hong Kong people. The standard is cash. Ideally crisp new notes in an envelope with some good wishes on it. Yes, I HATE giving people money because it's totally outside my culture. We Aussies don't even tip. But lai see is cash.
Feb 14, 2018, 8:01 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,505
Wow what a stingy attitude! Having said that, Lai See is intended for people you actually know, not random strangers. Its NOT A TIP and it's certainly not a bribe. That seems to be a complete mis-understanding of the custom. It's about expressing good luck/prosperity for the new year, thus the amount does not need to be large for it to be a nice gesture. If you are in HK during CNY, then every man and his dog is handing out envelopes to people around them and nobody minds. There are housing estates that ostensibly "bans" Lai See - which are typically ignored by everyone. I probably would not give to flight attendants on the basis that I don't know them (individually) - but I do know the check in staff really well in Manila, and were I flying there on CNY (I'm not), I would certainly consider giving them something.
Hong Kong ICAC - Law Enforcement - Anti-corruption Laws - Aspects of Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO)
An employee of a private sector company must obtain permission from his employer for accepting any gift offered by the customer, supplier, etc. Custom is not a reasonable excuse for accepting an advantage.
A lai see can easily be construed as a bribe if there are circumstances where the passenger giving it may have received additional service, which can be quite easily proven on a flight. The guidance also says cleaning workers accept an "advantage" when receiving a lai see.
Just because others risk themselves breaking the law is not as excuse everyone else can do so as well. It's not a matter of stinginess, but the law.
Feb 14, 2018, 11:55 am
#22
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most employers wpould end up allowing staff to take laisees for at least a couple of days a year (or at the most extreme case, stephan chan). but I'm pretty sure CX *isnt* one of them.
Feb 14, 2018, 11:57 am
#23
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Did you read ICAC's guidance?
Hong Kong ICAC - Law Enforcement - Anti-corruption Laws - Aspects of Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO)
An employee of a private sector company must obtain permission from his employer for accepting any gift offered by the customer, supplier, etc. Custom is not a reasonable excuse for accepting an advantage.
A lai see can easily be construed as a bribe if there are circumstances where the passenger giving it may have received additional service, which can be quite easily proven on a flight. The guidance also says cleaning workers accept an "advantage" when receiving a lai see.
Just because others risk themselves breaking the law is not as excuse everyone else can do so as well. It's not a matter of stinginess, but the law.
Hong Kong ICAC - Law Enforcement - Anti-corruption Laws - Aspects of Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO)
An employee of a private sector company must obtain permission from his employer for accepting any gift offered by the customer, supplier, etc. Custom is not a reasonable excuse for accepting an advantage.
A lai see can easily be construed as a bribe if there are circumstances where the passenger giving it may have received additional service, which can be quite easily proven on a flight. The guidance also says cleaning workers accept an "advantage" when receiving a lai see.
Just because others risk themselves breaking the law is not as excuse everyone else can do so as well. It's not a matter of stinginess, but the law.
Feb 14, 2018, 12:27 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
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I tend to agree a positive letter to the firm would do the FAs far more good : http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...8/24/tip-crew/
Feb 16, 2018, 4:09 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2016
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what happens if I give lai see AFTER the flight is over and I'm getting off the plane so they have no chance of giving me "special" treatment? i doubt the FAs would remember me anyways. The law is law but there is a reason why we have lawyers, because everything is up for interpretation. Nothing is ever black and white especially law......
Feb 16, 2018, 4:49 pm
#27
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what happens if I give lai see AFTER the flight is over and I'm getting off the plane so they have no chance of giving me "special" treatment? i doubt the FAs would remember me anyways. The law is law but there is a reason why we have lawyers, because everything is up for interpretation. Nothing is ever black and white especially law......
but yeh- had anyone took laisee would derserve some reporting to cx or icac. (I just think taking it to cx would be sufficient)
Feb 16, 2018, 5:38 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2006
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what happens if I give lai see AFTER the flight is over and I'm getting off the plane so they have no chance of giving me "special" treatment? i doubt the FAs would remember me anyways. The law is law but there is a reason why we have lawyers, because everything is up for interpretation. Nothing is ever black and white especially law......
Feb 16, 2018, 7:40 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Thanks everyone. Got it - no lai see packets for the cabin crew!
@Carfield - thanks for the tip. Chocolates always go well
@Carfield - thanks for the tip. Chocolates always go well
My ex used to work as a FA for Cathay for over a decade. They can get into trouble for accepting or consuming any gifts if a pax reports it.
I was told that often some other FA possibly junior could tip off management as well.