What is the general rule for tipping?

[NoshowJones]

53 minutes ago, tropo said:

The service charge and VAT are in big print when your bill comes out though...

 

In Thailand, they do make it a bit easier at most places though. They use "net" to indicate no extra surcharges and "+ +" to indicate extra service charge and VAT and "+" if only service charge is added.

"The service charge and VAT are in big print when your bill comes out though"

I didn't know that as I always walk when I see a service charge....

[Nanaplaza666]

I think its up to you if you want to tip or not but i also think its very polite to tip the hard working staff at restaurants etc. Tipping at streetfood stalls is not realy custom but it wont be a problem to leave a small tip . The only moment i dont tip is in restaurants like fuji or sorts because if you get your bill there is something like a service charge about 10% of the total bill so if you eat in restaurants like that i would give the girl (or guy) serving you a tip in hand so they can put it in their own pocket 

[AtoZ]

You mean after 100 THB becomes (7% vat, 10-15% service charge) 117 - 122 THB item because they are probably too scared to show the real prices? I should tip again?

 

lol... no way

Edited August 23, 2018 by AtoZ

[Small Joke]

1. Check the tab for 'service charge'.

2. My favourite Thai used to be in the service industry as a youngster, she gives 20 baht unless they really did a great job.

3. And or the bill is in the thousands, rare, then 5%

4. I let her tip even when I pay for the service (including tip).

5. If you let a new date tip on your behalf, it can reveal a lot about their attitude to YOUR money, it won't be about her good heartedness toward the staff, trust me.

 

That was a tipping tip!

 

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, Laza 45 said:

...live with your Karma...

Of course as well as the rude staff live with their Karma....my money, can spend it on far better things than people that couldnt give two hoots about providing me with any kind of service...

[trainman34014]

My Thai Wife of 12 years will not tip more than 20 Baht regardless of how much the bill is.    If a service charge has been added the tip is zero !

[tropo]

46 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

"The service charge and VAT are in big print when your bill comes out though"

I didn't know that as I always walk when I see a service charge....

Sorry, misunderstanding. I was referring to the big numbers on your bill that clearly indicate you've been charged a service charge.  

[tropo]

1 hour ago, amexpat said:

Yank bashing aside, (the most outrageous tipper I know is a Brit) I've always shared your opinion that tipping as a percentage is absurd.  Sometimes my date and I would max out the menu prices and have wine so I was expected to tip much more than the couple who ordered the cheapest possible while their kid trashed the place. Nonsense. 

I was not bashing yanks. Facts are facts.

[Ks45672]

6 hours ago, kannot said:

no it isnt "required"

Isn't now and never was

Just idiot tourists from a certain nation do it

[khunPer]

8 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

Now I'm in the outskirts of Bangkok eating at some street food places and they won't let me tip.
 
Is this normal?

Yes, you don't tip in street kitchens and like.

 

It's kind of you to tip – I also tip here – but be careful not to "overtip"; just a 20-baht note can do wonders, but of course relative. If you for example go to an hi-end restaurant and get an outstanding service, you might add little more than 20-baht to a several thousand baht bill, even service charge has already been added.

 

My experienced Thailand travelling friends originally told me not to "overtip". They said that if foreign  tourists tipped a lot, then Thais believe their price must be too low, and next year you visit same place, you'll se the prices has gone up. A mutual friend had rented a motor bike, which unfortunately punctured on a seaside hill road. They called the renter, and instantly came two men on motorbike and repaired the wheel on the spot. 80 baht was the charge. Our mutual friend was so happy to get the bike fixed, so he gave them 200 baht; big happy smiles from both sides. My friend however got little angry, and said to our kind tipping mutual friend: »And next time you get your car repaired at home, you also pay the repair shop 2½ times the bill..?«

?

[amexpat]

1 hour ago, tropo said:

I was not bashing yanks. Facts are facts.

Of course, in your little bubble.  Enjoy.

[Denim]

I once tried to leave a 20 baht tip in a favourite Thai steakhouse ( on a bill of 180 baht )

 

Owner ran after me saying ' we don't take tips but will be grateful for your continued patronage '

 

And that's how it is out of big tourist areas. They rely on your custom not your tips.

[Henryford]

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

My Thai Wife of 12 years will not tip more than 20 Baht regardless of how much the bill is.    If a service charge has been added the tip is zero ! 

If i see they automatically add a service charge they don't get my business.

[Tony125]

6 hours ago, 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.

Another cheap charlie

 

[Nyezhov]

In the USA I tip pursuant to the informal rules of tipping. It's good for the economy.

 

I am blessed that I was chosen to be born in the USA, the richest country in history. I don't need much money to make me happy. I realize that in my scheme of life, 20 baht makes no difference to me, but a hell of a difference to him or her that gets it.

 

I am reminded that in 2014 I think it was I used to tip the old lady apartment maids 100b a week. They bought their lunch with that. I used to come back to my digs to find my laundry done, a flower on the bed....I got sick once and they were the ones who took care of me...One time after doing this for a few weeks, there was a knock 9n the door and all three of them were there waiing and bringing me fruit...

 

The security guys......a bottle of beer here and there, a Coke, a pack of smokes......guess who is always greeted with a smile, guess who gets the pool chair cleaned up, guess who gets helped to his room when FUBARed from a night out......

 

I don't give to beggers, nor bums. While I realize that many folks here are are jaded, I generally find that ordinary Thai working folk don't make a lot of money and they are nice and helpful. Help me out...I can afford the nickel......

 

My motto: Smile, have fun, thank you.....

 

 

Edited August 23, 2018 by Nyezhov

[seajae]

I like to tip if the food was really good and the service was good but not over the top, I hate it when you give them big notes and they bring back change with either lots of coins or 20 baht notes instead of hundreds, that automatically removes any chance of a tip. I also have to fight with my wife to tip in some situations, she will refuse to leave money at some places we visit, you cant argue with the ones that have lived here all their lives as they know best

[atyclb]

"Inside the Mind of a Bathroom Attendant" .   http://www.efficientdrinker.com/blog/tipping-bathroom-attendant/

 

snippet

 

Bathroom Attendant: I bring all my shit in here.  I got gum, cigarettes, mouth wash, hair shit, cologne, I hook up the soap, condoms.  Just working my room.  I ain’t need no salary.  I’m my own boss.
Kavorka:  What do you believe you deserve as a tip from bathroom users?
Bathroom Attendant Tip
According to the man: A #2 should tip more than a #1

Bathroom Attendant: Depends man.  If you’re takin a shit that’s a lot different from just pissin.  I got three urinals and two toilets.  If you’re taking a shit for real and using up my spaces, I don’t even care about the smell man, but hook it up.  Give me $3 for shittin.  I’ll give you gum or hair spray.  If you’re pissin, I’ll still give you that but leave a dollar or a few dollars.

 

 

 

[dallen52]

19 hours ago, Vacuum said:

And now the phenomenon is here.....

If you research the tipping thing,  as I did after spending time in Dearborn with Ford.

(My USA colleagues were tipping up to 25%, and explained why)

You will find that tipping originated from the UK.

T.I.P.

To Ensure Promptitude.

 

Tudor England. 

Edited August 24, 2018 by dallen52

[GaryAdriaenssens]

Simple easy answer "there isn't any"!!

[Tony125]

22 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

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


 

 

I too was born and raised in USA where tips are normally expected. I usually tip some amount anywhere .  If the service is bad at a restaurant then I won't leave a tip, if food is bad then maybe just small tip to waiter by hand.  Because I usually small tip taxi or motorcycle taxi they sometimes stop for me when see me walking or when it's raining because I have tipped them before and know I will be grateful that they stopped for me.

 

TIPS: “To Insure Prompt Service”. The acronym T-I-P-S is a valuable reminder to treat your server with respect and courtesy, and to reward people who provide services to you with a proper gratuity for their efforts. There are several debates over the definition and origin of this acronym, and whether the word “tips” came about in the 16th century, 18th century or someone made the story up behind a blue velvet curtain in 1962, it clearly has training value. It also makes teaching, and learning more fun. Despite how you pronounce potato or “potahto,” tomato or “tomahto,” your server deserves a respectable tip for good service!

 

 

• In the United States, you can potentially be arrested for refusing to pay a mandatory “tip” as happened to Humberto A. Taveras when he dined at the Soprano’s Italian American Grill in New York.  He failed to leave sufficient funds to cover the mandatory tip of 18%, instead leaving a tip of 10% (the original bill was $77.43).  Taveras stated that his group didn’t feel the food was very good, so he didn’t feel like leaving a large tip.  This 8% discrepancy resulted in the owners of said restaurant, Joe and Tina Soprano, calling the police and having Taveras arrested and charged with “theft of service”.  On principle, Taveras went ahead and hired a lawyer, rather than just pay the discrepancy and fines and fought the charge.  He won without going to court as the District Attorney threw out the case stating that tips can never truly be mandatory, regardless of posted signs in a restaurant or restaurant policy.
• Another case of someone being arrested in the United States for lack of paying a mandatory “tip” was the case of John and Pope Wagner after dining with six friends at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa.  There was a listed mandatory tip of 18% for a group that size, but as they had to wait over an hour before the food they ordered was served; they had to go to the bar to get their drinks refilled as the waitress was nowhere to be found; and they had to get their own silverware and napkins from other tables as the waitress never came back when they requested them, they decided to leave no tip and explained to the bartender why they were refusing to pay the mandatory tip.  The bartender didn’t argue with them, just took their money for the bill ($73.87) and promptly called the police and had them arrested for not paying the 18% tip.  In this case, within a week the Northampton County District Attorney asked the police to drop the charges against the couple, noting that this type of thing should be processed via civil court, rather than criminal.  The police then dropped the criminal charges.
• Up until very recently, it was considered inappropriate in the United States to tip an owner of an establishment, regardless of whether they were the ones serving you.  In the last few decades, this has changed, as has the standard tipping amount at restaurants, which in the 1980s was 10%-15%, but in the last couple decades has inflated to 15%-20%.
• A study done by Cornell University found that the actual quality of service received by an individual did not correlate with the amount of tip.  Much stronger correlations, in terms of tipping amount, could be found based on how attractive the server was and/or how much the total of the bill was. So more a “self-imposed wealth tax”, in that someone who can afford to pay for more expensive meals will generally pay a larger tip, regardless of service.  Two other similar studies showed that minorities receive significantly lower tips than white people, regardless of bill price, even when the people leaving the tip were also minorities.
• One of the principle arguments for tipping is that many establishments where tipping is the norm get away with paying their employees under minimum wage, because of tips making up the difference.  However, this is not the case in Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, which all require employees to be paid at least minimum wage, regardless of whether they receive tips or not.
• Despite it being Federal law for people to report tips on their income taxes in the United States, the IRS estimates that about 40% of all tips received by individuals are not reported on those people’s income taxes.
• So apparently if you leave a tip, you are taking part in an activity that is racist, prejudice against unattractive people, and facilitate tax fraud and oppression of workers in the form of lower pay. 
• In some border cities near Canada, certain U.S. restaurants set a mandatory tip of 18% for French speaking Canadians that have come down to the US.  This is often referred to as the “Queeb Tax”.

[Mike West]

23 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

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


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Exactly,  "in the USA" keep your customs there, don't bring them over here. The Thais actually laugh at you guys behind your backs, as they can't comprehend how you pay more, they find it totally ludicrous. But they will happily accept your money. 

[Mike West]

22 hours 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

Sorry to upset you, but you live in a fantasy world, tipping is NOT required in Thailand. You made all that up. 

[Nyezhov]

5 minutes ago, Mike West said:

 But they will happily accept your money. 

As does most of the world. But thats part of being the Big Boy,  you gots to shell out. And while they may laugh behind my back, Im only interested in the way they act to my face.

 

But if you want to experiment, lets go to the same bar every day for a week. Ill tip, you dont. Lets see who they smile at....

[Mike West]

22 hours ago, remorhaz said:

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.

Sounds made up, but instead of giving them money when he stuck his hand out, you should have handed him your rubbish. 

[elgenon]

23 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

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


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Well just don't drive on the right side of the road having been raised in the US of A.

[Mike West]

Just now, Nyezhov said:

As does most of the world. But thats part of being the Big Boy,  you gots to shell out. And while they may laugh behind my back, Im only interested in the way they act to my face.

 

But if you want to experiment, lets go to the same bar every day for a week. Ill tip, you dont. Lets see who they smile at....

I don't need to experiment. I been living here the last 10 years, I have more Thai friends and have gained more respect than you by doing things my way. I hear all the laughter and comments they make behind the backs of people like you. ?

[suzannegoh]

13 minutes ago, Mike West said:

I don't need to experiment. I been living here the last 10 years, I have more Thai friends and have gained more respect than you by doing things my way. I hear all the laughter and comments they make behind the backs of people like you. ?

I have a feeling as if I’m listening to blind men describing an elephant.  Both of you may be right within your own social circle and at the type of places that you frequent. 

[Vacuum]

14 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

But if you want to experiment, lets go to the same bar every day for a week. Ill tip, you dont. Lets see who they smile at....

Couldn't care less who or what they smile at (probably their smartpfones). If I go to a bar, it's for a couple of beers and pool.

[finnishmen]

20 minutes ago, Mike West said:

Sorry to upset you, but you live in a fantasy world, tipping is NOT required in Thailand. You made all that up. 

Tipping NOT have normal ewerywere, not thailand not around world, but usa idiot land have because all usa restaurant owner have idiots and not pay normal good salary to waiters, and poor workers need tippi can live normal,have idiot system and only stupid poor restaurants at usa and true stupid owner used thats and not give tip to worker at thailand too.if i has good service sometime i yip traught at worker/waiters hand not to restaurant owner.

[wgdanson]

4 hours ago, dallen52 said:

T.I.P.

To Ensure Promptitude.

 

Tudor England. 

I shall have to ask Susie Dent about that.