Tipping in Thailand
Feb 6, 2012, 4:25 pm
#91
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By the way, I was at the new Trump hotel in Toronto the other day, and tipped the coat check girl $5 and also left $12 on a $6 tab for water. Does that make me evil?
Service was very, very good though, and I probably got $20 worth of nuts and snacks with that $6 water.
While that might be the style in the Trump Hotel in Toronto it isn't the style of tipping in Asia. You're obviously going to do as you please (<redacted>) but it might be helpful to acquaint yourself with local customs which do not include (heavy) tipping.
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 14, 2012 at 10:02 am Reason: redacted ad hominem
Feb 13, 2012, 11:46 am
#92
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One redacted post mentioned some things have gone missing here - and yes, they have. Post with personal attacks those bragging about putting other members here on Ignore lists, purely personal exchanges related to these, have been deleted.
Just a reminder, and some very good clues about some deletions:
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Just a reminder, and some very good clues about some deletions:
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Feb 14, 2012, 3:52 am
#93
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Join Date: Sep 1999
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Americans tend to impinge their customs on everyone. Tipping is no exception.
Edit:
I'll also add, tipping in the states has GOTTEN OUT OF HAND. In the last couple/few years, it is HARD to go to a place which you NEVER would have thought to tip in the past, and has a "tip jar" at the counter.
Edit:
I'll also add, tipping in the states has GOTTEN OUT OF HAND. In the last couple/few years, it is HARD to go to a place which you NEVER would have thought to tip in the past, and has a "tip jar" at the counter.
Feb 14, 2012, 7:54 am
#94
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FWIW, there are tip jars (clear plastic boxes usually) here in nearly every chain-type restaurant and coffee shop, including those outside of tourist areas, and frequented only by Thais. Even smaller, independent coffee shops have these tip boxes. These boxes usually have coins: 5 baht, 10 baht and some 20 baht notes. They've been here for ages so the toothpaste may already be out of the tube?
That toothpaste isn't worth the money you spent.
Feb 14, 2012, 8:20 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 85
FWIW, there are tip jars (clear plastic boxes usually) here in nearly every chain-type restaurant and coffee shop, including those outside of tourist areas, and frequented only by Thais. Even smaller, independent coffee shops have these tip boxes. These boxes usually have coins: 5 baht, 10 baht and some 20 baht notes. They've been here for ages so the toothpaste may already be out of the tube?
In my experience, Japan is the only place where the "tipping rules" were unequivocal. Ironically enough, service levels almost always eclipsed expectations and often times bordered on exceptional, all in a place where tipping is verboten.
Feb 14, 2012, 10:10 am
#96
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The wisest path, IMO, is to learn what the local culture is prior to tipping. In Australia, some forms of tipping can be seen as "one upmanship" and distasteful. In other areas, overtipping tends to blow back and create overblown expectations and poor service, even disrespect and dislike.
As examples, where I am from originally, one does NOT tip taxi drivers, full stop. Many service workers do not get tips, but they are legally entitled to thirty days' pay at year's end (in essence, thirteen monthly paychecks). OTOH, the chap at the petrol / gasoline station who fuels the car and cleans a windshield does get some pocket change.
OTOH, one does "tip" (really, it is proactive blackmail) the "guardians" who watch your car - fail to pay, it is extremely likely your car will get keyed, or worse. One does bribe cops - fail to do so and you will find yourself in significant trouble, or at the very least paying a much bigger bribe to someone with greater authority - regardless of what high moral ground you may hold on this issue, it's better to capitulate in this regard.
I do not rely on high-flying magazines like Condé Nast for tipping advice when I travel - it's easier to find better sources or ask locals what the practice is. It's one bit of what makes travel interesting and is what one learns about the local culture. But, as usual, YMMV... just food for thought.
And I NEVER tip Antarticans!
As examples, where I am from originally, one does NOT tip taxi drivers, full stop. Many service workers do not get tips, but they are legally entitled to thirty days' pay at year's end (in essence, thirteen monthly paychecks). OTOH, the chap at the petrol / gasoline station who fuels the car and cleans a windshield does get some pocket change.
OTOH, one does "tip" (really, it is proactive blackmail) the "guardians" who watch your car - fail to pay, it is extremely likely your car will get keyed, or worse. One does bribe cops - fail to do so and you will find yourself in significant trouble, or at the very least paying a much bigger bribe to someone with greater authority - regardless of what high moral ground you may hold on this issue, it's better to capitulate in this regard.
I do not rely on high-flying magazines like Condé Nast for tipping advice when I travel - it's easier to find better sources or ask locals what the practice is. It's one bit of what makes travel interesting and is what one learns about the local culture. But, as usual, YMMV... just food for thought.
And I NEVER tip Antarticans!
Feb 14, 2012, 7:57 pm
#97
Join Date: Dec 2011
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FWIW, there are tip jars (clear plastic boxes usually) here in nearly every chain-type restaurant and coffee shop, including those outside of tourist areas, and frequented only by Thais. Even smaller, independent coffee shops have these tip boxes. These boxes usually have coins: 5 baht, 10 baht and some 20 baht notes. They've been here for ages so the toothpaste may already be out of the tube?
In my home country of New Zealand many cafes have these tip jars, but despite appearances they are rarely used by locals. Normally the staff add seed money to those jars in the hope others follow suit.
Just say no!!!
Feb 15, 2012, 6:28 am
#98
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Tip jars from around the world are "seeded" by the staff in hopes someone will pop some cash into them. Nothing special.
When I first started visiting Asia, I'd feel bad because no one left any tips. As time went by, I realized, that either the service charge was built in, or it just wasn't a tipping culture. I much prefer it this way, and hate the ever increasing tip that is expected in the US.
When I first started visiting Asia, I'd feel bad because no one left any tips. As time went by, I realized, that either the service charge was built in, or it just wasn't a tipping culture. I much prefer it this way, and hate the ever increasing tip that is expected in the US.
Feb 15, 2012, 4:02 pm
#99
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I do not tip in self-service establishments, regardless of the country. Fast food chains are included. While the employees do take your food from grill to tray, that doesn't count IMO. I think that tipping in Thailand is a bit more complicated; and I admit that I do not believe that I really understand it yet.
Feb 15, 2012, 6:51 pm
#100
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I guess my points are; tip-boxes are not unique to the U.S. and are quite widespread here, and if you want to tip here do so, if you don't want to tip, don't. It couldn't be more straight-forward.
Mar 11, 2012, 5:20 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I ordered room service from my 4 star hotel in Bangkok the other day. I was tired/groggy and didn't know what tipping policy was in BKK (ignorant I admit). I glanced very briefly at the bill and there was clearly a spot for "TIP" after the total. I tipped 100 Bhat. In the morning I looked at the bill closely and noticed that my total included a Service Charge of 10% (93.46) AND a Tip of 93.46 already included. So I tipped the room service attendant another 100 Bhat. When I checked out of the hotel the front desk agent made a point to tell me that the 100 Bhat tip I added was removed from the bill as the tip was already included. Wouldn't have happened in Cdn/USA.
Mar 17, 2013, 1:41 pm
#104
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 676
I find that Americans who tip in foreign countries where it's not customary, do it for the sake of their own pride. Screw the local customs; they just want to feel better about themselves because of their insecurities. And trust me, they know the customs. How do I know? Because I have asked.
Tell me why tipping of 20% in America is expected (required)? Why should I have to pay the salary of a company's employee? It's quite ironic that I have to pay 20% to ensure satisfactory service in the US, yet the country with the worst service industry in the world is in fact the US! So, the more you pay, the worse it gets. How wonderful.
Soon, you'll have to start tipping the ticket agents, gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants. (I actually witnessed a passenger attempting to tip a flight attendant because he purchased two cans of beer for himself and his buddy. The FA politely refused, but it was obvious that the FA was annoyed by the passenger's gesture (arrogance).)
Tell me why tipping of 20% in America is expected (required)? Why should I have to pay the salary of a company's employee? It's quite ironic that I have to pay 20% to ensure satisfactory service in the US, yet the country with the worst service industry in the world is in fact the US! So, the more you pay, the worse it gets. How wonderful.
Soon, you'll have to start tipping the ticket agents, gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants. (I actually witnessed a passenger attempting to tip a flight attendant because he purchased two cans of beer for himself and his buddy. The FA politely refused, but it was obvious that the FA was annoyed by the passenger's gesture (arrogance).)
Mar 17, 2013, 1:56 pm
#105
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 676
If "throwing your money away" is such a character flaw, I wonder why Asians fill up all the casinos, from Macau to Vegas. I wonder why they are the world's biggest spenders on overpriced luxury goods, not to mention overpriced real estate the world over.
As for the rest of your points, one man does not a trend make.
By the way, I was at the new Trump hotel in Toronto the other day, and tipped the coat check girl $5 and also left $12 on a $6 tab for water. Does that make me evil? Service was very, very good though, and I probably got $20 worth of nuts and snacks with that $6 water.
As for the rest of your points, one man does not a trend make.
By the way, I was at the new Trump hotel in Toronto the other day, and tipped the coat check girl $5 and also left $12 on a $6 tab for water. Does that make me evil?
Service was very, very good though, and I probably got $20 worth of nuts and snacks with that $6 water.Good for you that you left $17. I'm sure you feel much better about yourself.