Tipping in Thailand. Who and when.
Guys,
Aussie has given me a subject, I for one, am definitely interested in, I am not interested in Bar boys and how much nonsense at all, its boring and been overly covered.
I mean for services, other than the obvious, including bell boys, porters, restaurants, Hotel receptions and maids.
Who do you tip??
I definitely tip the bell boy, on arrival and departure as I expect my luggage carrying as I am a lazy bastard.
The maid, I leave a tip when I am leaving. Reception, I usually don't bother, but will if there is a large tip box near where you pay the bill, as some Hotels have to embarrass you into it.
I have never been to Japan, but been advised, not to, as it is impolite. Singapore, the brochures tell you not to, issued by the Government!
I know the protocols in the UK, however, I took my sister and co for lunch to a fairly upscale joint and the service was not up to par.
She snatched the tip out of my hand, whilst the waitress was checking the bill, shook her head, told me off in the car park and returned the tip to me.
Her words were "Tipping is for service, we didn't get any!"
Tam and I would reduce the tip in Thailand,for bad service, but tip anyway and not return.
What do you people do. Amounts are really irrelevant. Also, do you tip when service charge is added to your bill???
I was once told by a waiter that the Hotel only gave them a percentage of the service charge and the Hotel kept the lion's share! Tam said, that was not "our problem"
Because this board has an international membership, I would be interested in all your views please and for my own benefit it would help me know if I am being a bit soft or not.
Tipping for me is a given
But I never over tip, and if they have the Gaul to add it to my check with out asking I certainly don't feel obligated to; here especially, when In Thailand I am much more generous as I want to be remembered as a gentlemen but not in extravagance. In USA I tip 15 % because I know most of them live off that tip.
Here, no one tips but me, I do it because I want to, not because I have to and at all my regular stops I get special service where they know me.
If I think I will never see them again in my life, I still tip. If its rude for me to tip When in Rome ... and so on. I watch to see if others do, if I am not sure. But, in regular places I like to see the smile when they see me come in.
I treat people like I would want to be treated and never over the top. Its Rude and a show off to do so. But when I am a regular to a place I like to chat and they feel comfortable and I am sure they didn't spit on my food before it was sent out. I like to go in and they already know what I order and what I like and how it should be cooked. When I am treated well be sure there is pay back. I like guys who don''t expect it and my bf won't take it for fear I will think he is there for the money. He comes from a good family and his words to me are, "if I need money all I have to do is ask my parents I don't need yours."
If they are rude so am I, if they are kind so am I, its my rule of thumb to stay away from people that are only fair weather friends. If they stick with me through the tough times be sure I am there for them when they need me.
Tipping can be a pleasure or the opposite its up to you as to how you are treated.
Wesley