The lost art of tipping

[Burma Bill]

On 2/24/2024 at 12:53 PM, Tropicalevo said:

I always pay cash and I always leave a tip.

Keeping the art alive.

 Well done - so do I, even here in Cambodia. None of this digital wallet cr*p or smart phone apps for me. It is cash only and if the outlet does not like this, then I take my business elsewhere! 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

The challenge is that most Thais no longer carry cash.  So when they go to the market, if the system is down, they are screwed.  I went to a very famous coffee shop and was told sorry, we only accept digital.  

 

If the system is down ???....   what system ??

 

Is this like.. 'they are watching you' ???

 

IF the 'system' (as you put it is down) with any degree of frequency, then wouldn't most people (Thai's) be carrying cash because they've been inconvenienced before ?... 

 

Thus: the mere mention from you that Thai's no longer carry cash, is perhaps because there's no need to, because 'the system' doesn't go down ?

 

 

From my perspective - Cashless is easier and I use that mostly, but I always carry a little cash as backup...  (for taxi's etc - although I'm sure most taxi's would take PromptPay too).

 

 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Scott Tracy said:

 

they work hard...they don't get paid as much as they desrve.... In your view....

 

did you get tipped when you were working? I certainly didn't. It was considered inappropriate for the service industry in which I worked. 

 

The punter pays, however you look at it, whether by tip or whether the service provider's salary 'is as much as they deserve ' I'm sure they would love you to pay them the difference between what they get and what you consider they deserve.which

 

do you actually know how.much they make? What do you consider to be a deserving salary for the job they do?

You're analyzing this way too much, the bottom line is they don't make enough and it makes no difference whatsoever for any of us to give them 20 Baht when they deliver food. Zero difference in our lives, but a significant difference in theirs. 

[Irish star]

On 2/24/2024 at 12:40 PM, kingstonkid said:

One of the things I have noticed is that with the digital wallets and all the pther digital crap that people are not tipping as much.

 

Tips used to be the loose change or 20 baht note that you got as change.

 

How many here actually dig into their pockets and put a tip in the container after paying digitally

I do everyone gets 20 b in box , Starbucks etc 

[richard_smith237]

23 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 Well done - so do I, even here in Cambodia. None of this digital wallet cr*p or smart phone apps for me. It is cash only and if the outlet does not like this, then I take my business elsewhere! 

 

 

What is so scary about digital payment for some of you... ?

 

I get that you have a preference... But to completely boycott something that can add a potential layer of convenience to your life just seems a little daft, overreactive, even... 

 

 

I recall going out and watching the rugby late at night a few years back...  

Only when there I realised I'd forgotten my Wallet... No issues whatsoever... Transfered payment via PromptPay, it was the first time I'd done and it was a great back-up...

.... someone will ofcourse reply to this with...  'I never forget my wallet or some mindless bumff' but the pointer remains that having both cashless and cash options available is the better option .....  so we don't have to snoot off in some 'Victor Meldrew' strop crying "I'll take my business elsewhere"

 

 

 

 

[G_Money]

12 hours ago, steven100 said:

I know they tip in Texas ....  George Bush tips when he goes to a restaurant I bet.

 

In Thailand,  I tip 20, 30 baht ....  if the service was fine and the staff were friendly.

But to be honest,  no reason to tip as it's their normal job,  the owner can tip his staff if he wants,  no one tipped me at work that's for damn sure   !

So generous!

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

What is so scary about digital payment for some of you... ?

 

 

For me, nothing scary at all. I do not own or use a smartphone due to finger disabilities. I rely on cash or debit card for payments so businesses that do not accept these payment methods I have to avoid. My personal choice.

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

For me, nothing scary at all. I do not own or use a smartphone due to finger disabilities. I rely on cash or debit card for payments so businesses that do not accept these payment methods I have to avoid. My personal choice.

 

Fair enough & sorry to hear about your finger disabilities...   your experience highlights why cash is also so very necessary. 

 

IMO - Its stupid of a business to reject any form of payment.

 

 

[SingAPorn]

The problem is that a foreigner is expected to leave double the tip in the restaurant.

 

Maybe restaurant staff should stop taking foreign customers for granted, show more respect and then whinge for a tip.

 

Many tourists spoil the staff in leaving 100 thb tips for average service.

[Ralf001]

38 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

The problem is that a foreigner is expected to leave double the tip in the restaurant.

 

 

 

what a load of buffalo excrement.

[Tropicalevo]

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thus: the mere mention from you that Thai's no longer carry cash, is perhaps because there's no need to, because 'the system' doesn't go down ?

What about during a power cut when there is no wifi?

That happens a lot here on the islands. Mind you, not as frequent these days. It used to be every other day!

[Dolf]

10 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

The problem is that a foreigner is expected to leave double the tip in the restaurant.

 

Maybe restaurant staff should stop taking foreign customers for granted, show more respect and then whinge for a tip.

 

Many tourists spoil the staff in leaving 100 thb tips for average service.

Don't eat in tourist restaurants. The restaurants I eat in are cheap, good and they don't expect a tip, maybe just small change.

[scoutman360]

I was at the 7-11 today and everyone who tries to pay with their phone backs up the line. Cash payers are in and out. 

[it is what it is]

24 minutes ago, scoutman360 said:

I was at the 7-11 today and everyone who tries to pay with their phone backs up the line. Cash payers are in and out. 

 

i know, the QR code payment system used here is so clunky, involving faffing around scanning, typing in amounts, showing phone the the vendor... it's so impractical and slow, and another example of badly designed technology making a process slower and more inefficient. good old cash, sometimes you can't beat it.

[RocketDog]

On 2/24/2024 at 2:14 PM, richard_smith237 said:

There's definitely a few people on this thread whose favourite author is George Orwell !!! 

 

Why not?

His work is more relevant than ever before.

[SingAPorn]

On 2/26/2024 at 6:16 PM, Ralf001 said:

 

what a load of buffalo excrement.

you seem to have some experience on the matter...

[SingAPorn]

On 2/27/2024 at 4:12 AM, Dolf said:

Don't eat in tourist restaurants. The restaurants I eat in are cheap, good and they don't expect a tip, maybe just small change.

kindly name them , thanks

[Dolf]

13 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

kindly name them , thanks

In each city? 

[SingAPorn]

2 minutes ago, Dolf said:

In each city? 

one or two suggestions please in

 

bkk ?

Hua Hin ?

Phuket ? for a start please ? 🤣

[Hummin]

On 2/25/2024 at 12:04 AM, Ralf001 said:

 

Why should I tip somebody that is just doing the job they are paid to do ?

Im fan of you now, great input 😁

 

Most places we go, have service charge and tip included. But if exceptional service and food, and they do not charge us for service, we are happy to give little bit tip. 

 

More motivational for same service if they reckonising us if we come back.

[Dolf]

11 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

one or two suggestions please in

 

bkk ?

Hua Hin ?

Phuket ? for a start please ? 🤣

Those places have thousands of restaurants. Have you never heard of google? 

[kingstonkid]

11 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Im fan of you now, great input 😁

 

Most places we go, have service charge and tip included. But if exceptional service and food, and they do not charge us for service, we are happy to give little bit tip. 

 

More motivational for same service if they reckonising us if we come back.

I don't know where you are eating, but I have seen very few restaurants that have a service charge unless it is the big hotels.

 

Personally I tip for the good or bad service I get.

 

Yes I tip 2 baht for bad service.  leaves them wondering

 

I tip well for good service.  not just for the good service that I got but if you are a regular or go back to a place, you are remembered and get the same service.

It boggles the GF when we go somewhere, and I don't even have to ask for a drink. The only question they ask is what she would like.  Or we go in and get a good seat and are looked after. Hell, even Starbucks knows my name in a few shops because I tip and praise them.  

 

 

 

[Hummin]

46 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

I don't know where you are eating, but I have seen very few restaurants that have a service charge unless it is the big hotels.

 

Personally I tip for the good or bad service I get.

 

Yes I tip 2 baht for bad service.  leaves them wondering

 

I tip well for good service.  not just for the good service that I got but if you are a regular or go back to a place, you are remembered and get the same service.

It boggles the GF when we go somewhere, and I don't even have to ask for a drink. The only question they ask is what she would like.  Or we go in and get a good seat and are looked after. Hell, even Starbucks knows my name in a few shops because I tip and praise them.  

 

 

 

Me and my wife live remote and eat mostly home, but when we travel, we search up restaurants with good remarks and reviews, and we usually pick higher end reataurants and hotels. 

 

Food is half of the travel, and ater 3 serious food poisonings in Thailand, there is no way, I eat at randem places anymore. Had one in florida to back in the 80'ies, I just do not want one more experience of that. 

 

So far on my 7 year here in Thailand since the las disaster at a beach resort at Koh Lipe.

[kingstonkid]

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

Me and my wife live remote and eat mostly home, but when we travel, we search up restaurants with good remarks and reviews, and we usually pick higher end reataurants and hotels. 

 

Food is half of the travel, and ater 3 serious food poisonings in Thailand, there is no way, I eat at randem places anymore. Had one in florida to back in the 80'ies, I just do not want one more experience of that. 

 

So far on my 7 year here in Thailand since the las disaster at a beach resort at Koh Lipe.

 

I hear you being diabetic and a non-friend of Spicy, and I share your concerns.  

[Hummin]

42 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

I hear you being diabetic and a non-friend of Spicy, and I share your concerns.  

Funny 😁  what is your problem

[FruitPudding]

On 2/24/2024 at 12:46 PM, sirineou said:

Even if the gratuities are included on the bill, I still leave a tip, because I don't think the workers ever see those included in the bill tips.  

 

I've never understood this way of thinking. 

 

You paid 10% service charge. If their boss keeps that, they can quit if they want. You shouldn't feel compelled to pay more

[FruitPudding]

On 2/27/2024 at 10:20 PM, it is what it is said:

 

i know, the QR code payment system used here is so clunky, involving faffing around scanning, typing in amounts, showing phone the the vendor... it's so impractical and slow, and another example of badly designed technology making a process slower and more inefficient. good old cash, sometimes you can't beat it.

 

Except the part where you have to go to the ATM machine 

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

 

I hear you being diabetic and a non-friend of Spicy, and I share your concerns.  

Horrible life I got 

 

Fresh Quiche with bacon for lunch 😋 

[FruitPudding]

On 2/26/2024 at 5:03 PM, spidermike007 said:

You're analyzing this way too much, the bottom line is they don't make enough and it makes no difference whatsoever for any of us to give them 20 Baht when they deliver food. Zero difference in our lives, but a significant difference in theirs. 

 

<deleted>, 99% of people don't make enough.

 

And they wouldn't pay it forward.

 

Suppose you tip 20% on a 1000 baht bill. After they get your 200 baht tip and they go out to eat at a place with service, they ain't gonna tip their waitress 40 baht, not even 20 baht, probably not 10 either. 

 

They'd leave 1s and 2s cos they would be too embarrassed to pick them up, but that's it.

 

Why tip people like that?

[sirineou]

26 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

 

I've never understood this way of thinking. 

 

You paid 10% service charge. If their boss keeps that, they can quit if they want. You shouldn't feel compelled to pay more

  First we need to understand that quitting is often not an option for many people with mouths to feed back home. 

  Second if my desire for good service.

By the grace of god , of happenstance , I have been lucky enough to be able to afford little things such as paying 10% more to insure better service.  Especially here in Thailand where a bill at a local restaurant for 2 people  can be as little as 1,000 baht . It would be a sad day in my life when I can't afford, or if I could afford as I am sure most of us here in Thailand can, be defencive over 100 baht . 

  Third and most important. The number one rule when dining out, is:

You don't mess with the people who prepare and serve your food