What is the general rule for tipping?

[Boy Wonder]

Generally speaking, I like to tip people that do good services for me, whether I'm in the west or in Thailand.
 
At my hotel in Bangkok, I tipped, and each person I tipped accepted it and was very happy.

Even my drivers let me tip them.
 
Now I'm in the outskirts of Bangkok eating at some street food places and they won't let me tip.
 
Is this normal? I am trying not to take it personal but just seems weird since the other Thais happily accepted my tips.
 
 
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[ezzra]

In Thailand no tipping is required thanks god for that not having to go thru this awkward phase every time you finish a meal or check in and out from a hotel, of course that there are mainly tourists that spoil this for everyone else, but if you must give, anywhere from 2% to 5% is advised...

[Boy Wonder]

In Thailand no tipping is required thanks god for that not having to go thru this awkward phase every time you finish a meal or check in and out from a hotel, of course that there are mainly tourists that spoil this for everyone else, but if you must give, anywhere from 2% to 5% is advised...

Haha sorry to spoil it for you :) I've been conditioned to tip by being raised in the USA.


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[Vacuum]

10 minutes ago, Boy Wonder said:

Haha sorry to spoil it for you ? I've been conditioned to tip by being raised in the USA.


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And now the phenomenon is here.....

[Kwasaki]

12 minutes ago, Boy Wonder said:

Haha sorry to spoil it for you ? I've been conditioned to tip by being raised in the USA.

Well boy wonder adapted to batman you just have to do the same in Thailand.

[jackdd]

In Thailand it's not common to tip. Thais only tip at more fancy places, and then it's more for showing off in front of friends than rewarding for good service (in many cases the place keeps the tips and doesn't give it to the employees)

Actually i never tip in Thailand except in one situation: If i'm in Bangkok and several taxis refused to take me where i wanted to go and then i finally find a taxi which takes me, this taxi will receive a tip.

[wwest5829]

1 hour ago, Boy Wonder said:

Haha sorry to spoil it for you ? I've been conditioned to tip by being raised in the USA.


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Yes, subsidizing poor pay in the U.S. But, then if in Thailand, or any other culture one conforms to that cultures expectations...

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

In Thailand no tipping is required thanks god for that not having to go thru this awkward phase every time you finish a meal or check in and out from a hotel, of course that there are mainly tourists that spoil this for everyone else, but if you must give, anywhere from 2% to 5% is advised...

Tipping IS required in Thailand, just not everywhere. Street food stalls, definitely not. Local style restaurants not really unless the person serving you is particularly good at service and not the owner. Taxis I round up to the next 10 baht or for a nice driver a real tip. Hotel restaurants will normally add service but I generally leave a bit extra for good service. I’ve basically learned appropriate tipping from Thai friends

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

In Thailand no tipping is required thanks god for that not having to go thru this awkward phase every time you finish a meal or check in and out from a hotel, of course that there are mainly tourists that spoil this for everyone else, but if you must give, anywhere from 2% to 5% is advised...

Sorry to upset you....but you’re just stingy! I’d only give a 2% tip if I wanted to insult someone.

[kannot]

crap service no tip, good  service no tip, that way you dont have to even think about it at all, wife never  tips anyone.

[kannot]

3 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

Tipping IS required in Thailand, just not everywhere. Street food stalls, definitely not. Local style restaurants not really unless the person serving you is particularly good at service and not the owner. Taxis I round up to the next 10 baht or for a nice driver a real tip. Hotel restaurants will normally add service but I generally leave a bit extra for good service. I’ve basically learned appropriate tipping from Thai friends

no it isnt "required"

[Fairynuff]

11 minutes ago, kannot said:

no it isnt "required"

.....by a certain type of person

[remorhaz]

Years ago when I was a starving student on a ED visa, I used to go to hotels grab the key and immediately walk out the front door.  This was because even though I had no luggage (just a backpack) some Thai guy would walk me to my room, expect me to act amazed at how the aircon worked, then immediately stuck out his hand.  Some say the "wai" is the ultimate hand gesture of Thailand - no this isn't true - its in reality the extended open palmed hand in which you are to of course place money.  

 

One time when I grabbed the key and came back hours later, there was a knock at the door.  I hadn't told anyone where I was so this wasn't a friend.  What could be wrong?  I open the door to see a hotel clerk standing there with his hand out.  That's all - just knock on the door and there he is demanding a tip because I managed to get to my room without paying the troll who guards the bridge I guess.  I said "mai me baht" and closed the door.  I was only staying one night so low chance of revenge fortunately.

[OJAS]

29 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

Tipping IS required in Thailand, just not everywhere. Street food stalls, definitely not. Local style restaurants not really unless the person serving you is particularly good at service and not the owner. Taxis I round up to the next 10 baht or for a nice driver a real tip. Hotel restaurants will normally add service but I generally leave a bit extra for good service. I’ve basically learned appropriate tipping from Thai friends

My attitude appears to be different to yours when it comes to restaurants. I am happy to leave tips at the 3 local family-run restaurants we regularly visit as the owners are all good friends of the wife's and they always give us a warm welcome. Indeed, our bills are now discounted to such an extent that whatever tip I leave seldom exceeds the undiscounted total these days!

 

When it comes to chain restaurants, on the other hand, I seldom leave more than a bit of loose change by way of a tip - and definitely nothing if a service charge has been added.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

I tip what Thais tip.


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[LomSak27]

Make sure they know you are an Aussie. Then give em Nothing!   

[soistalker]

When I used to date Thai women, they would always insist I tip the servers in restaurants.  When told that I knew Thais don't tip and why should I, the response was always "you are falang; falang have money." Usually that was the last date.

[Henryford]

Bad or surly service or incorrect change = No tip.

 

Otherwise i round up the change i have. Depends on the bill might be 10 baht to 50 baht.

[TVGerry]

I usually give around 5% at the fancier places. 20-40 baht at places like MK or Bonchon. 20 baht for the food deliveryman.

 

IF and only IF service is good. And in most cases here, they usually are. The waiters here usually work hard and have good service but I hear they get paid like 8-9k a month. A little helps.

[jackdd]

Just now, soistalker said:

When I used to date Thai women, they would always insist I tip the servers in restaurants.  When told that I knew Thais don't tip and why should I, the response was always "you are falang; falang have money." Usually that was the last date.

They were preparing you for the morning after when they expect a tip for themself ?

[LawrenceN]

2 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

Haha sorry to spoil it for you ? I've been conditioned to tip by being raised in the USA.


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You opened this post asking for advice, presumably from more experienced people who live here. As soon as someone helpfully, honestly answered your question, you flippantly thumbed your nose at him. Please go away.

[BoganInParasite]

Moved to Nan three months ago. We tip around 10% and at times have encountered genuine surprised reactions from the servers in these family run restaurants, and a couple of attempts the not take the tip. The wife lets them know the money is because we are happy. We frequent a small number of these restaurants and there is no doubt our regular custom and tips lead to more focused service and lots of smiles. Perhaps the happiest reaction came from the smallest tip as was from the guy who delivers the large plastic containers of drinking water at 12 baht each. First tip was for two...24 baht, wife gave him 40 baht and said we don't need change. Really really genuine happy and surprised reaction from him. Unlike many who I suspect get their water dropped at the front gate/door, ours gets carried right to the back door. And we have been very happy to increase the tip amount. It took my Thai wife a number of years to understand why I tip when it is not required and she is now comfortable to do so herself. She can tip appropriately now in Thailand, Singapore, Australia, UAE and the USA where we have lived and always gets up to speed on tipping when we visit somewhere new.

[CGW]

To state that Thai's don't tip is utter nonsense, it appears some on here are proud to be cheap! There are no hard rules here, if you are happy to tip, do so, if not, keep your hand in your pocket, I for one won't be worrying about "spoiling it for the rest" Good service deserves a tip, poor service doesn't - end of story, small tips make no difference to my financial well being, yet do mean something to those that receive them. ? 

[VBF]

1 hour ago, Fairynuff said:

Tipping IS required in Thailand, just not everywhere. Street food stalls, definitely not. Local style restaurants not really unless the person serving you is particularly good at service and not the owner. Taxis I round up to the next 10 baht or for a nice driver a real tip. Hotel restaurants will normally add service but I generally leave a bit extra for good service. I’ve basically learned appropriate tipping from Thai friends

Tipping is NOT required, anywhere, any time...UNLESS.......

YOU think the service or favour you have received  deserves a "thank you" gesture.

That's IT - no exceptions. 

 

I think the Thai word for it is  Prah̄yạd (ประหยัด) - or in English - parsimonious - correct me if I'm wrong on that

 

And if you don't like that, call me Charles........Cheap Charles! ?

Edited August 23, 2018 by VBF

[Stupooey]

I think there is a distinction in Thailand between those paid to do a job, and others who rely solely on tips. For example, at a restaurant the guy who guides you in and out of your parking space is in all probability reliant on the tips he receives, so giving him 20 baht is normal, even if his services were not really required. Inside the restaurant is somewhat different, as there is no real tipping culture: Thais rarely leave much, maybe the loose change topped up with a 20 baht note. The problem arises when non-Thai customers start leaving sizeable tips, which the owners will use as an excuse to cut the wages of their staff. Better to do what the locals do and not upset the apple cart.

[soistalker]

43 minutes ago, jackdd said:

They were preparing you for the morning after when they expect a tip for themself ?

Hehe...right. and another reason I don't date Thai women (actually there are at least twenty reasons).

[Boy Wonder]

You opened this post asking for advice, presumably from more experienced people who live here. As soon as someone helpfully, honestly answered your question, you flippantly thumbed your nose at him. Please go away.

Your perception is off. It was a genuine apology. Don't read into things so much..


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[LennyW]

No tipping required in Thailand, sometimes people do earn a tip but mostly not, standing looking at their phones or watching tv does not warrant a tip.

And definitely not big hotels or restaurants that charge ++, they are seldom worth their claim.

 

[Boy Wonder]

To state that Thai's don't tip is utter nonsense, it appears some on here are proud to be cheap! There are no hard rules here, if you are happy to tip, do so, if not, keep your hand in your pocket, I for one won't be worrying about "spoiling it for the rest" Good service deserves a tip, poor service doesn't - end of story, small tips make no difference to my financial well being, yet do mean something to those that receive them. [emoji846] 

These are my thoughts as well. Everyone I tip has a great big smile on their face and are very grateful. That brings me joy as well, and doesn't hurt my pockets at all. Thanks for sharing.


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[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

My attitude appears to be different to yours when it comes to restaurants. I am happy to leave tips at the 3 local family-run restaurants we regularly visit as the owners are all good friends of the wife's and they always give us a warm welcome. Indeed, our bills are now discounted to such an extent that whatever tip I leave seldom exceeds the undiscounted total these days!

 

When it comes to chain restaurants, on the other hand, I seldom leave more than a bit of loose change by way of a tip - and definitely nothing if a service charge has been added.

I’d agree with that.