My  condo has a holiday tip box for all staff so they're definitely into getting tips so no cultural taboos there.

There are two people I would like to tip directly one the person that deals with delivery packages because I use a lot and the other the main doorman.

I understand something ridiculous like 100 baht would mark a person on a stink list much much more than no tip, but I'm not in Kansas anymore and am not moved to overtip either.

The package receiving person because I feel kind of guilty for creating so much work and not a lost package yet, and the doorman not so much that he has really ever helped me personally in any significant way, but more selfishly because he's in a position of some power and wouldn't hurt to grease the gears a bit in case I do need his help. 

I do give incidental tips to staff people when they help me directly in a specific way, such as maintenance people. 

Pattaya/Jomtien, not Manhattan where I guess in some buildings people are giving thousands of dollars and if they don't, it's <deleted> list time. 

What amount would you suggest?

 

I think 500 baht to the guy who takes care of the packages would be appreciated. The doorman, maybe 200 baht if he has no real impact on you, 500 baht if you do want to keep him onside. It's a worthwhile amount working on the assumption other residents may be giving something similar. 

There are 4 very helpful staff members at my condo, each getting 1k baht. If I tried giving 1k to this one and 500 baht to another, I bet jealousy would occur.

I used to tip 1,000 to everybody.  Now that I won’t be there this Christmas I suppose it’ll be nothing and it won’t even phase them.  Probably have all new staff by now anyways.  I still get great service as if there is ever a problem in my unit, it gets handled immediately and everybody involved gets a few hundred baht as a thanks.  My girlfriend is also constantly baking them the Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies so that helps too.

Zero, they are paid to do that job

1,000 Baht in a Christmas Card. Do write something in it. Plus a bottle of their favorite libation is fitting for a once a year thing. Just saying after living in Thailand 32 years. It matters and do it this way likely they will feel a little Kring-Jai is necessary on their part. 

Wishing all well tidings this holiday season.

give'em  40 baht each if you must 

In the Amazon coffee shop I frequent on a daily basis there are 4 staff. All are excellent, helpful, friendly and always find the time for a chat. When the shop is rammed with customers I don’t even have to wait for my drink. They see me, make it straight away and hand it to me; great service. As a result of my “unintentional queue jumping” I asked one of them what their daily wage was. 300 baht was the reply so that was their tip 300 baht each. All 4 were really pleased with what I had given them. I will add they were going to get their tip anyway ignoring the fact they slip me my drink discreetly.

I give a giftwrapped bottle of SangSom, complete with a red bow. The condo staff call me Kuhn SangSom. 

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Zero, they are paid to do that job

Oh yeah, most likely minimum wage, you sound like a real Scrooge

I would give the hundred to both of them... I think 20 baht doesn't rent you the spoon for a bowl of soup anymore... I guess 50 baht is ok - - but, really not that much. 

I buy cases of MaMa noodles and put them in the break room for the staff to take home. Every Thai family can use MaMa, and I can spend as much or as little as I want to give. A dozen cases is about 3k baht so it's easy to feel like a big shot.

 

We have 20+ staff in the building. Some are more directly helpful than others based on their job role, but I'd rather thank the team than have anyone feel left out. I tip through the year for help I request.

I give the daytime condo security guard 500 baht/month.

He calls a taxi for me 5 days a week and accepts all deliveries.

 

So I am wondering what to give him at Xmas.

I guess the card and a comparable amount should do it.

I gave my security guards a tip yesterday...

 

DO YOU'RE BLEEDIN JOBS!!

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Zero, they are paid to do that job

Scrooge lives.

30 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

He calls a taxi for me 5 days a week

ever heard of Grab?

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The package receiving person because I feel kind of guilty

Well, that would depend on the type of package you are asking him to receive.

3 hours ago, howto said:

1,000 Baht in a Christmas Card. Do write something in it. Plus a bottle of their favorite libation is fitting for a once a year thing. Just saying after living in Thailand 32 years. It matters and do it this way likely they will feel a little Kring-Jai is necessary on their part. 

Wishing all well tidings this holiday season.

Putting in a card in a great idea. Just handing over naked cash is kind of crass 

The package person works 12 hours a day 7 days a week. 

 

Just giving to two very visible people except for what I might put in a communal tip box is unfair of course. Oh well!

1 hour ago, BarBoy said:

ever heard of Grab?

 

My taxi ride to work is short and Grab charges a 20 baht surcharge on each ride so makes a significant added cost on a 60 baht fare.

 

2 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

I buy cases of MaMa noodles and put them in the break room for the staff to take home. Every Thai family can use MaMa, and I can spend as much or as little as I want to give. A dozen cases is about 3k baht so it's easy to feel like a big shot.

 

We have 20+ staff in the building. Some are more directly helpful than others based on their job role, but I'd rather thank the team than have anyone feel left out. I tip through the year for help I request.

I could be totally wrong, but I have a hard time believing that MaMa noodles as a Christmas bonus is a well-received gift. 

21 minutes ago, BarBoy said:

think whatever you want.

I know what I meant.

 

Sadly you don't.

 

Keep on tipping your security who probably call you all sorts of names in Thai once your back is turned!

"Keep on tipping your security who probably call you all sorts of names in Thai once your back is turned!"

 

Proved my point, you're a jerk.

Probably suffer from last-word syndrome as well so I'll go ahead and block you.

5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Zero, they are paid to do that job

Showing your true colours?

32 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Yes Einstein I have.

My taxi ride to work is short and Grab charges a 20 baht surcharge on each ride so makes a significant added cost on a 60 baht fare.

Just asking but why are you such a jerk?

 

28 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

I don't believe you.

I think you were being sarcastic.

 

I have him on ignore - he's just a troll.

Just look at his dumb OP's.

One of many newbies who have joined since April this year.

Back to the OP.

I give 1,000 baht each in an envelope with Thank You written in Thai on the front.

This is for the people that support my business but are not direct employees.

They get the same at Singkhran.

32 minutes ago, BarBoy said:

Keep on tipping your security who probably call you all sorts of names in Thai once your back is turned!

Not everyone is nasty like you Bob.

I think the tips would be well recieved.

2 hours ago, BarBoy said:

I gave my security guards a tip yesterday...

 

DO YOU'RE BLEEDIN JOBS!!

bob, you never change. you could even salvage a quid from a scott's arse. 

1 minute ago, RSD1 said:

bob, you never change. you could even salvage a quid from a scott's arse. 

all security guards seem to do in Thailand is sleep and play phone.

 

Now go on, give me the usual spiel about their low salaries etc.

 

Don't like the job then find another.

 

Simple.

36 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Proved my point, you're a jerk.

So far I haven't called you any names and you have called me a jerk twice now.

 

 

We live on a very low (compared to most ex-pats here) retirement fixed income. But it's still a lot more than the staff in my building make each month working.

 

We give the cleaning staff and security staff a Christmas envelope with a 500 baht note each. I wish I could give them more as they really do make my life in this building much easier, but I can't afford it. The security staff stay awake and are very helpful, often running to open elevator doors for us if our arms are full! The cleaning staff are always right there when you need them, and unobtrusive when you don't!

Although American, I don't believe in the American style of tipping everywhere I go. But I do eat in the same restaurants every week and so leave the staff a small tip. Most are married with young kids and need the money more than I need another cup of tea.