We live in a full-service building in Patumwan. We deal frequently with the building manager, who has done a very good job for us. What is the local practice on tipping staff at holiday time? Do you tip them? Some of them? cash? basket of fruit?

I give the staff in the office some biscuits. I do this at New Year, rather than for Christmas itself.

I don't know if they really expect anything for Christmas... being a non-Buddhist tradition. That's a very western thing to tip the milkman, postman etc. at Christmas.

Our condo asks its co-owners and residents to contribute to a staff Christmas/NY party. They have done this since I lived here. I have no objection to doing so. As well as contributing to/paying for the dinner, funds are used to buy gifts for the staff. They do their job, usually well, and they are not paid that much, so it is not unreasonable for those of us who are better off, to make this gesture.

Similarly with my maid, she gets 2x months wages at the end of December.

as above also suggests: there are no set rules- NY or Paris style or so. You may wish to not give a big present/tip, as the Thai are more used to getting it at their new Year=Songkran, and you may rise expectations for then. If you happen to be Chinese- on your NwYr it is also OK-in a red envelope. I would indeed suggest rather giving a nice ''present'' (maybe even-if your beliefs permit it, a bottle of good booze for that builder) as cash. But anything wll be received gratefully and there will be no real repercussions (again-NY or Paris style) if it is too small or low. If you have a regular employed and paid maid/worker or so, then it is indeed customary, but not obliged,to give an extra month in dec. The Thai usually put this in the contract or the agreed terms.

More a New Year thing....

No tip - OK

A little cash in an envelope - OK

A bottle of whisky - OK.

A pre-prepared basket - OK.

In other words - up to you, there are no conventions set in stone as to these situations, tip whatever makes you feel good with yourself.

Staff that you personally employ are a whole different ballgame.