What is the general rule for tipping?

[mogandave]

Only around Eurotrash chiselers...

[Nyezhov]

9 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

I stopped tipping when our lad was born so I know who is winning thanks. I save every 50 and 20 baht that comes into my possession. 

I can understand that position. If you eat out once a day, every day, and the tip is 20 baht, then you are saving 140 baht a week, thats 4480 baht a year or $140 a year. 

 

Now on the other hand, I can easily figure out how to save $140 a year without interrupting my small change tipping. Maybe not hit the Dispensary in LA or Vegas when I hit the ground? Cut my beer back?

[sawadeeken]

4 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

I stopped tipping when our lad was born so I know who is winning thanks. I save every 50 and 20 baht that comes into my possession. 

How about a THOUGHT about the lads born to those who serve your 'pleasures' and they don't have a dad who saves all his 'small notes' and who justifies 'not tipping' but does have a few other 'selfish extravagances'........ Every 'Cheap Charlie' has a 'justification' for his cheapness....... I have a few friends who fit this description (and I also have some 'Cheap Charlie' ways)... yet continue to be friends because I feel they do have a right to their opinions........

But my 'Cheap Charlie' ways never affect somebody 'poorer than me' but I will 'rip-off' companies and corporations without a guilty feeling.......

[Rc2702]

Just now, sawadeeken said:

How about a THOUGHT about the lads born to those who serve your 'pleasures' and they don't have a dad who saves all his 'small notes' and who justifies 'not tipping' but does have a few other 'selfish extravagances'........ Every 'Cheap Charlie' has a 'justification' for his cheapness....... I have a few friends who fit this description (and I also have some 'Cheap Charlie' ways)... yet continue to be friends because I feel they do have a right to their opinions........

But my 'Cheap Charlie' ways never affect somebody 'poorer than me' but I will 'rip-off' companies and corporations without a guilty feeling.......

I never feel guilty but then again I don't congregate in touristic areas where tipping is the norm. 

[JimmyJ]

17 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I can understand that position. If you eat out once a day, every day, and the tip is 20 baht, then you are saving 140 baht a week, thats 4480 baht a year or $140 a year. 

 

Now on the other hand, I can easily figure out how to save $140 a year without interrupting my small change tipping. Maybe not hit the Dispensary in LA or Vegas when I hit the ground? Cut my beer back?

It's $222/year.

[sawadeeken]

3 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

I never feel guilty but then again I don't congregate in touristic areas where tipping is the norm. 

Selfish people 'never' feel guilty.......... even if they are.........

NOT TO WORRY.... You are in the 'minority' so I think the poor Thais will survive without your help...... There is still a majority of Foreigners who will pay their way (tip a little) and I think the Thais working will survive as they did for centuries eating rice and a bottle of 'fish sauce' to flavor it............

[sawadeeken]

22 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

I can understand that position. If you eat out once a day, every day, and the tip is 20 baht, then you are saving 140 baht a week, thats 4480 baht a year or $140 a year. 

 

Now on the other hand, I can easily figure out how to save $140 a year without interrupting my small change tipping. Maybe not hit the Dispensary in LA or Vegas when I hit the ground? Cut my beer back?

 

4 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

It's $222/year.

NEVER MIND........... He Made his point...........

[Rc2702]

Just now, sawadeeken said:

Selfish people 'never' feel guilty.......... even if they are.........

NOT TO WORRY.... You are in the 'minority' so I think the poor Thais will survive without your help...... There is still a majority of Foreigners who will pay their way (tip a little) and I think the Thais working will survive as they did for centuries eating rice and a bottle of 'fish sauce' to flavor it............

Hmm strange that. We donated thousands of baht of baby accessories to an orphanage near us recently. We also give money to beggars we see at the markets we just do not tip in restaurants and we never go to bars. There are different ways to help people besides handing over a few baht after a couple of beers but if it makes you feel good, so be it.

[Nyezhov]

24 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

It's $222/year.

Yes my fingers fumbled. $227.50 a year at 32B to the buck. Thats either: one Friday night bar bill, one dinner date in the US, 10gs of the finest, one football game, one baseball game, one hockey game, or a Latte a day for two months.

 

I try to just make coffee then....

[kdrayong]

Tipping in Thailand is not required in general.

When having food or drinks at a place, where service charge is added, I never would give a tip.
At other locations, I'll give a generous tip, if they offer a good service. No tip, if they don't. 50 Satang tip if the service is really bad.

[sawadeeken]

59 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

Hmm strange that. We donated thousands of baht of baby accessories to an orphanage near us recently.

IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE and NOT grossly EXAGERATED....... Then Good on YOU......

59 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

We also give money to beggars we see at the markets we just do not tip in restaurants

Personally I think 'Beggars/scammers' do quite well without my donations...... I think there are too many of them (some genuine needy, who probably do well) that have narcotic habits themselves, Or maybe support leaches like Sons/Boyfriends with habits, Etc. or 'They' could work...... Just my own 'little thing'.......

BUT I don't find near the number of scammers 'working for a meager living' in 'honest jobs' as in  Thai restaurants........

1 hour ago, Rc2702 said:

 There are different ways to help people besides handing over a few baht after a couple of beers but if it makes you feel good, so be it.

Totally agreed.... Many other ways....... Are you saying that 'this is you'????? And you are charitable in other ways than 'Tipping at restaurants'........ If so..... God Bless YOU (as my Mom would have said).....

[Rc2702]

Just now, sawadeeken said:

IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE and NOT grossly EXAGERATED....... Then Good on YOU......

Personally I think 'Beggars/scammers' do quite well without my donations...... I think there are too many of them (some genuine needy, who probably do well) that have narcotic habits themselves, Or maybe support leaches like Sons/Boyfriends with habits, Etc. or 'They' could work...... Just my own 'little thing'.......

BUT I don't find near the number of scammers 'working for a meager living' in 'honest jobs' as in  Thai restaurants........

Totally agreed.... Many other ways....... Are you saying that 'this is you'????? And you are charitable in other ways than 'Tipping at restaurants'........ If so..... God Bless YOU (as my Mom would have said).....

We eat at sizzlers on the rare occasions we eat out. Why? It's family friendly we can keep the tyke entertained on the sofa booth and eat one handed. Not tipping sizzlers sorry and not relaxed enough to dine out everywhere as most places are not child friendly. Yes we give everything we do not need to an orphanage but we do visit to ensure the stuff gets used for the children there and not sold on. We give to the handicapped beggars or on the odd occasion to a woman with a child. We prefer to give food to her for obvious reasons. No need to exaggerate I have a lot of time for orphans and fingers crossed one day we will adopt so our lad has a brother and we have another mouth to feed and a full time commitment to rear. Well worth saving for imo.

[Ks45672]

5 hours ago, suzannegoh said:

It's always been that way.  One of the less appealing characteristics of the expat community in Thailand is that people are excessively concerned about how much other expats spend.

I don't think they are overly concerned about giving your wealth away, but any subgroup of people (farang/Saudis /Japanese etc  overpaying raises the price quotes for everyone else 

 

Years ago I used to drink with a friend from NY and he used to take a tuk tuk a mile  to the bar and pay 1k and tell driver to keep the change.... 

 

We told him that's  too much but he said aha Fxxx it, its only 20 bucks..... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nyezhov]

29 minutes ago, Ks45672 said:

Years ago I used to drink with a friend from NY and he used to take a tuk tuk a mile  to the bar and pay 1k and tell driver to keep the change.... 

 

We told him that's  too much but he said aha Fxxx it, its only 20 bucks..... 

I do that with a 100B

[Ks45672]

7 hours ago, kdrayong said:

Tipping in Thailand is not required in general.

When having food or drinks at a place, where service charge is added, I never would give a tip.
At other locations, I'll give a generous tip, if they offer a good service. No tip, if they don't. 50 Satang tip if the service is really bad.

Plenty of bkk restaurants  add service charge  10% and another 7% tax

A waitress at a well known restaurant we can't name told me waiting staff don't  get the 10% and we can only guess if the taxman gets the 7% or the owner pockets that too.... 

 

I  always give the pizza boy 100 tho, he risks his life racing to get the pizza here ... ?

 

[suzannegoh]

9 hours ago, KMartinHandyman said:

They must be assimilating well into Thai culture then. I neither speak nor understand conversational Thai, I know a lot of Thai names of things but usually only if my wife is the one enunciating them and yet I can pick out baht and rxy between Thais speaking and it seems to be the two most frequent words in their conversations.
Early on I used to ask what the conversation was about knowing it involved money (most likely mine) until I learned it’s alway the same stuff, how much you/they paid/owed/borrowed/want to borrow/need co-sign, do we want to buy some car, rai, factory, beach house, etc.
My wife explained how it’s rather normal and not considered too insulting along with things like blurting out someone looks a little fat. After a few trips to the US meeting most of my friends and family she now sees the cultural differences (and how I feel about money talk) as not once over the years has anyone discussed money or called anyone fat.

But do those Thais get pissed off if someone spends more than they would because it will "ruin it for everyone"?

[suzannegoh]

4 hours ago, Ks45672 said:

I don't think they are overly concerned about giving your wealth away, but any subgroup of people (farang/Saudis /Japanese etc  overpaying raises the price quotes for everyone else

 

There is an element of "it will spoil it for everyone" attitude in it but they also seem to have a moral objection to it and gossip about people's spending habits.  It's as if they think that the ultimate virtue is to at all times spend the minimum amount possible.

 

[KMartinHandyman]

But do those Thais get pissed off if someone spends more than they would because it will "ruin it for everyone"?

Not exactly but they do lament not telling them you were going to spend any amount over ฿100 because they always know where you could have gotten it cheaper. This would allow them to buy it for 80 and sell it to you for 90, win win or get it for you at 90 making nothing but gaining favor with the seller for bringing a sale and then expecting a 10 baht tip which brings the price back to what you can do on your own.
I’ve begun over-over tipping since this thread began out of spite.

[CharlieH]

A "difficult to read" post and a response quoting it have been removed

[remorhaz]

On 9/3/2018 at 11:02 PM, balo said:

Don't believe your story . Been to hundreds of hotels in Thailand and never experienced anyone stucking out their hand for tip.   In the US however , yes. 

You are either stupid, a liar, or you've never been to Thailand.  If you stay in a hotel they escort you to your room and stick out their paws for a tip after turning on the A/C.  This happens thousands of times per day.  Whats actually even worse is when I did this I would sometimes get a knock on the door later when I returned and its the hotel staff guy wanting his tip because he didn't get his piece of flesh when I first arrived.  Literally I went to the door, opened it, and there the guy is in his little hotel uniform with his hand out.  In this case he didn't even turn on the A/C just showed up and wanted money.  Yes this common and yes you're belief isn't required for reality to exist.  

[suzannegoh]

3 minutes ago, remorhaz said:

You are either stupid, a liar, or you've never been to Thailand.  If you stay in a hotel they escort you to your room and stick out their paws for a tip after turning on the A/C.  This happens thousands of times per day.  Whats actually even worse is when I did this I would sometimes get a knock on the door later when I returned and its the hotel staff guy wanting his tip because he didn't get his piece of flesh when I first arrived.  Literally I went to the door, opened it, and there the guy is in his little hotel uniform with his hand out.  In this case he didn't even turn on the A/C just showed up and wanted money.  Yes this common and yes you're belief isn't required for reality to exist.  

It must suck to not be able to stay in your hotel room because of fear of the staff hunting you down and demanding a tip. I'm not sure why I've never experienced that, nor why Thailand hasn't gained a reputation for that, but it does indeed sound like a big problem.

[mogandave]

You are either stupid, a liar, or you've never been to Thailand.  If you stay in a hotel they escort you to your room and stick out their paws for a tip after turning on the A/C.  This happens thousands of times per day.  Whats actually even worse is when I did this I would sometimes get a knock on the door later when I returned and its the hotel staff guy wanting his tip because he didn't get his piece of flesh when I first arrived.  Literally I went to the door, opened it, and there the guy is in his little hotel uniform with his hand out.  In this case he didn't even turn on the A/C just showed up and wanted money.  Yes this common and yes you're belief isn't required for reality to exist.  

I’ve been in Thailand a good while, stayed at many hotels all over the country, and never had anyone stick their hand out and wait for tip.

[suzannegoh]

I’ve been in Thailand a good while, stayed at many hotels all over the country, and never had anyone stick their hand out and wait for tip.

Me too, and never had anyone try to shame me into tipping. His whole story about hiding from Thai staff so as to have to tip sounds like a Walter Mitty fantasy.

[mogandave]

Me too, and never had anyone try to shame me into tipping. His whole story about hiding from Thai staff so as to have to tip sounds like a Walter Mitty fantasy.

While I generally tip, I could not be shamed into tipping anyone I don’t want to....

[scubascuba3]

It's the owners responsibility to pay a decent wage but they try and teflon their responsibility to the customers

[spidermike007]

5 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

I’ve been in Thailand a good while, stayed at many hotels all over the country, and never had anyone stick their hand out and wait for tip.
 

 

 

Me neither. The difference is here a 20-40 baht tip gets alot of gratitude. Same in restaurants. In the US a ten to twenty dollar tip at a nice restaurant, gets barely a nod of gratitude. 

[balo]

8 hours ago, remorhaz said:

You are either stupid, a liar, or you've never been to Thailand.

Sorry , I think you're just a sad troll.

 

I live in Thailand I have been to 100's of hotels. And most of the posters agree with me , not you. 

 

[Ks45672]

On 9/16/2018 at 10:10 AM, remorhaz said:

You are either stupid, a liar, or you've never been to Thailand.  If you stay in a hotel they escort you to your room and stick out their paws for a tip after turning on the A/C.  This happens thousands of times per day.  Whats actually even worse is when I did this I would sometimes get a knock on the door later when I returned and its the hotel staff guy wanting his tip because he didn't get his piece of flesh when I first arrived.  Literally I went to the door, opened it, and there the guy is in his little hotel uniform with his hand out.  In this case he didn't even turn on the A/C just showed up and wanted money.  Yes this common and yes you're belief isn't required for reality to exist.  

When the hotel guy won't go away I just start taking my clothes off and have a shower 

 

Haven't met one yet who didn't disappear 

 

 

[Ks45672]

19 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

Me neither. The difference is here a 20-40 baht tip gets alot of gratitude. Same in restaurants. In the US a ten to twenty dollar tip at a nice restaurant, gets barely a nod of gratitude. 

Then give them nothing..... 

[remorhaz]

On 9/16/2018 at 7:51 PM, balo said:

Sorry , I think you're just a sad troll.

 

I live in Thailand I have been to 100's of hotels. And most of the posters agree with me , not you. 

 

I wasn't aware the truth was subject to a vote but if that's the case by all means I'll hire out an airplane for you to jump out of sans parachute and pay the majority of the crew to tell you that its fine.  And if you are going to say anyone who doesn't share your personal experience is a liar you should be prepared to be called out on your stupidity because you're stupid for saying such.