Am I A Cheap Charlie If I Don't Tip?

[britgent]

I got called kineow upon exiting a bar/restaurant last night after paying the bill.

Funny thing was it was by some geriatric falang trying to impress a waitress a third of his age who just kind of grimaced at him.

I turn up, see the price, use service and pay for it. Some in cm are cottoning onto the old 10% service charge and 7% or so tax not being shown on the menu and so the bill is slightly higher than expected. Whilst not unknown I do feel these are ambush tactics to get a few more pennies out you.

I'm not rich but I'm not poor, just comfortable eating out every night at wherever I feel in cm. I did used to tip every time maybe 20 baht or more but now I just think 'why' unless they have added to an enjoyable experience.

Nobody is walking around handing me free money or tipping me at the end of a job.

And yes I am better off than the people I might tip but so what. Ten years ago I too was young and working crap jobs to survive and had years of hard work and sacrifice to succeed.

Let the big shots throw their money around for their two week stay.

[petermik]

Tip? if the service is good I smile and say thank you-see you again

[doggie888888]

Another "ambush tactic" or some manifestation of the "entitled" attitude is when they give your change in small notes, eg lots of coins or five 20 bahts notes.

If the service was bad as well, which it usually is in places that allow their wait staff to employ such tactics, I usually just take the lot.

[britgent]

Had a few high end places here simply 'forget' to bring change which amounted to quite a lot.

Notably one place up the hills next to a waterfall. These guys actually said goodbye and when reminded about change you could tell they had to rework it out and suck it out the till due to them taking 20 mins to get us our change.

Even had one place hold onto change and smile and say 'for me' to which I just smiled and said OK. Stupid I know.

Was about to leave a tip at this place until manager brought out laptop and started watching a Thai movie at full blast. Oh dear.

Vote with your feet.

Edited March 29, 2013 by britgent

[Donnie Brasco]

Would it have been a cashier who laid on the begging act ? (Hardly;-) or the waiter?

For me? (That's a Phills trick)

I just thank 'em for the small change the way a Thai would do and say:

"No. I like to keep the coins for beggars and the twenties for the taxi and my kids."

And then a good ol' 'markin Disneyland grin and " You have a real good day now, y'hear :-)

Or like I said, if there's been a real effort and some charm and I feel like I tip.

@ tropo

Australian superstition regarding Amerikans is of little use.

[tropo]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

Edited March 29, 2013 by tropo

[tropo]

@ tropo

Australian superstition regarding Amerikans is of little use.

It's not superstition at all dude. I've spent a whole year in the US and traveled 38 states. I know the deal and did my duty as a percentage tipper when traveling there.

The Australian tourism authority openly campaigns against tipping in an effort to save us from the US system.

[Lancelot]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

Do you like any system? Edited March 29, 2013 by Lancelot

[Donnie Brasco]

Although new to Thai visa unlike many posters to forums like this I pibe bere I have been here

The sarcastic curtsy/wai that some female and third sex wait staff may lay on you is more a team-building effort towards their fellow workers than a directed slight.

It just places blame for their disappoint where they feel it belongs. They'd me never do that to Thai customer.

You can chose to go all obtuse on this point but their expectations regarding you are understandably different. On some occasions in some venues they'll act this out.

Try not to let it ruin your evening.

If you feel that you just can't ignore a spoken insult (like "kineow") you may respond by telling them they are " kikor" or beggarly if you feel that an exchange of this nature will do any good.

You would be wise to bear in mind that these people might be preparing your food at some point in the future.

If it's a one-time encounter you will surprise them and probably as noted above ruin what's left of your evening for the sake of three bucks.

Tipping a pretty girl is more fun.

She gets a few bucks and you may or may not get a smile whose authenticity you can stew about for the rest of the evening.

Like I said. It's personal and it's easy.

I tip when I feel like it.

[Donnie Brasco]

@ tropo

Australian superstition regarding Amerikans is of little use.

It's not superstition at all dude. I've spent a whole year in the US and traveled 38 states. I know the deal and did my duty as a percentage tipper when traveling there.

The Australian tourism authority openly campaigns against tipping in an effort to save us from the US system.

Aaah, I get it.

So like heaps of guys who wash up here in LOS and get into a soap opera of endless b*tching and complaining and misery you've brought along with you the, um Australian version of the White Man's Burden.

Not only are you instructing us here on the board but you're going to set the Thais straight as well.

[tropo]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

Do you like any system?

Yeah, I like the system where giving a tip is optional, such as in Thailand.

[Donnie Brasco]

And you (obviously) had a whale of a time in 'Marka ;-)

[tropo]

@ tropo

Australian superstition regarding Amerikans is of little use.

It's not superstition at all dude. I've spent a whole year in the US and traveled 38 states. I know the deal and did my duty as a percentage tipper when traveling there.

The Australian tourism authority openly campaigns against tipping in an effort to save us from the US system.

Aaah, I get it.

So like heaps of guys who wash up here in LOS and get into a soap opera of endless b*tching and complaining and misery you've brought along with you the, um Australian version of the White Man's Burden.

Not only are you instructing us here on the board but you're going to set the Thais straight as well.

I don't think you get it at all....

I'm not bitching. The system here is fine, the system in your country is bs.

Edited March 29, 2013 by tropo

[britgent]

I'm in a quandary now.

I understand in america the service staff are paid low wages and tips are factored into their pay. Taking this into account I would of course tip the accepted amount as I am not a monster.

But tipping where the wages aren't adjusted due to tips like in Thailand seems strange as it effectively just feels like being shamed into handing cash over. Exceptional service deserves exceptional tip I am not disagreeing with this.

To summarise I do wonder whether the american system produces the same results for the same price? I mean if you know your lifestyle depends on you making the customer happy I would really make a big effort as I am sure most would.

Sorry I just nearly referred to my home country and how they do it there but just stopped myself as this is sometimes annoying to read and pointless as we are not in my home country.

Which system will prevail I don't know. What I do know is that throughout my travels if I tip or don't tip Thailand is the most vocal and pronounced about letting you know if they are happy or not.

Me personally I was a big tipper when I first got here but as time went on and the touristy feel wore off I saw how things really worked once I stopped living my life via TripAdvisor.

Caveat Emptor

[Donnie Brasco]

Notwithstanding your initial flawed generalization I am not an American.

In my country, if you wish to stiff the staff you may get a dirty look and some attitude if you return but there's no hard and fast rule.

My travels in the States are not as extensive as yours nor were they as rushed. I tipped there and in some places it simply wasn't expected.

If I'm not breaking a law and sometimes even if It meant I were, I do as I please.

Here, if I feel like it, I tip.

I bridle appreciably when I am expected to reward lazy, slovenly rude service simply because I am not from here and I am not expected to know how things work.

I have been known to overtip a particularly helpful service worker and I have on more than one occasion reached out and removed the coins from the tray when the waiter/waitress has been rude.

BTW tropo, I'm just killing some time in this Copperwire shop waiting for my OS X to load. You know, training myself on this impossibly small keyboard. I understand your points but I guess I play a less rule-bound game than you would have me (who you've seen fit to characterize as 'Markin) playing.

Gawd this is slow

10 minutes to go

My OS X installation will be finished in 18 minutes.

[Tolley]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

We all know the reason why tipping is required in the US because the wages are so low for many in the hospitality industry.

This is not the case in Australia where the tipping culture is not so common.

In general in Thailand if there is already a 10 percent service charge then I don't leave any more.

If the food is reasonable and the service is reasonable I always leave a tip as wages for the average thais are very low in Thailand and I can afford to tip. Even when the service is poor and the food is sub standard I still might leave a tip but really it will only be a nominal amount like 20 baht.

I also see plenty of thais tipping as well so those that argue there isn't a tipping culture in Thailand must not be paying attention.

Anyway the mean spirited and tight fisted can always come up with some justification for not tipping. If only they realised that giving a little bit is good for the soul and creates a nice harmony between customer and service provider.

[pattayadingo]

Recently a place on Soi Arunothai the place I frequent has added a 10% service charge to the bills. They say this is due to wage increases and improvements to the place.

According to the staff the wages have not gone up.

Improvements? Yes, they have done this.

The point is that now many leave the coins as a tip whereas before they staff would get a larger tip. This means the staff are now getting less income than before.

As a general rule, the g/f pays when we are on a night out and she gives 20 Baht tips to the bar. On occasions where the staff are friendly or make sure she has extra ice she will give them a 20 Baht tip. Never seen her give more.

Edited March 29, 2013 by pattayadingo

[tropo]

We all know the reason why tipping is required in the US because the wages are so low for many in the hospitality industry.

This is not the case in Australia where the tipping culture is not so common.

In general in Thailand if there is already a 10 percent service charge then I don't leave any more.

Just to clear up any confusion. Yes, Australians do tip, only it's not a fixed percentage of the meal (irrespective of the campaigning by the tourism board).

When my friends visit from Australia they are overly generous. I tip just as you do - nominally but varied depending on the quality of service rendered.

[poanoi]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

We all know the reason why tipping is required in the US because the wages are so low for many in the hospitality industry.

This is not the case in Australia where the tipping culture is not so common.

In general in Thailand if there is already a 10 percent service charge then I don't leave any more.

If the food is reasonable and the service is reasonable I always leave a tip as wages for the average thais are very low in Thailand and I can afford to tip. Even when the service is poor and the food is sub standard I still might leave a tip but really it will only be a nominal amount like 20 baht.

I also see plenty of thais tipping as well so those that argue there isn't a tipping culture in Thailand must not be paying attention.

Anyway the mean spirited and tight fisted can always come up with some justification for not tipping. If only they realised that giving a little bit is good for the soul and creates a nice harmony between customer and service provider.

Ok, i have come to understand that tipping has taken the role of welfare in US,

something that is normally undertaken by the state elsewhere.

I disagree that this state of affairs create harmony between customer and service provider,

even in America.

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

It will always create friction where one person want and expect money from another,

especially if the extra charge and amount isn't already clearly understood

Edited March 29, 2013 by poanoi

[britgent]

Good gawd man. To make your point you have to slander me as an Amerikan and then teach me what I do in a restaurant at the end of a meal.

Silver service, fine dining establishments do not levy a surcharge. They don't have to. Everybody knows what to do in places like these.

In an establishment where the chef makes his own foie gras but can also make an industry standard somtam (apologies for the slightly bitter Mexican green papaya and Philipino fermented fish paste) it is customary to tip.

In the US it is a percentage tip in restaurants. For all intents and purposes that's a surcharge even though you don't want to call it that.

Now stop being so sensitive. I just don't like the American "tipping" system and think it is bs. That's not a slander on Americans.

We all know the reason why tipping is required in the US because the wages are so low for many in the hospitality industry.

This is not the case in Australia where the tipping culture is not so common.

In general in Thailand if there is already a 10 percent service charge then I don't leave any more.

If the food is reasonable and the service is reasonable I always leave a tip as wages for the average thais are very low in Thailand and I can afford to tip. Even when the service is poor and the food is sub standard I still might leave a tip but really it will only be a nominal amount like 20 baht.

I also see plenty of thais tipping as well so those that argue there isn't a tipping culture in Thailand must not be paying attention.

Anyway the mean spirited and tight fisted can always come up with some justification for not tipping. If only they realised that giving a little bit is good for the soul and creates a nice harmony between customer and service provider.

Ok, i have come to understand that tipping has taken the role of welfare in US,

something that is normally undertaken by the state elsewhere.

I disagree that this state of affairs create harmony between customer and service provider,

even in America.

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

It will always create friction where one person want and expect money from another,

especially if the extra charge and amount isn't already clearly understood

That's just plain greed on the service job guys part. Who 'expects and demands' a $1000 tip, really.

He sounds like humanity chose his fate.

[wooloomooloo]

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

Waiter or waitress? Very confusing story.

[tropo]

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

That must have been a long time ago. These days 10% is the recommended tip for bad service.

[britgent]

Anybody else just plain tired of tipping and wondering whether the server will be happy?

How's about put the price so people can see it inclusive of all charges and so the staff can afford to live.

Then we can all just get on with our lives without wondering if the server is happy about the money we are 'giving' away.

[hansje1980]

Since everything gets more and more expensive I simply don't pay tips anymore. Why? It's called a job, and I need to work too.

Cheers

[somtampet]

I used to tip on every time i visited a bar,whether i had 1 or 5 drinks,now with the gbp weaker,its costing me more to go out,so i dont tip unless i have a few drinks in the bar.Lady drinks have finished for me.

[yoslim]

why tip for 3rd world service at first world prices ?

[Ulysses G.]

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

Waiter or waitress? Very confusing story.

Not really. Some cheapskates went out and spent $10,000 and refused to pay the service charge that is added to the bill. When the waitress demanded that they pay what they owed, they shot and killed her instead.

[OZEMADE]

There are a lot of people on here for and against tipping, however most at one time or another have tipped the BIB.

Edited March 30, 2013 by OZEMADE

[poanoi]

My american friends told me some gents went out and spent closer to $10.000, left a tip,

but the waitress counted and found that it didn't cover the 10% surcharge, i.e $1000 for himself,

so he went after them, came into a heated argument, until one of the gents shot him dead.

Waiter or waitress? Very confusing story.

Sorry to confuse, it was in the middle of the night and english isnt my first language so i wasnt sure about the word waiter, it was a male according to the americans

[Sayonarax]

if someone does a good job and doesnt ask I will, if they ask I never do

People asks for Tips? Only person that's ever asked me for a "Tip" is the Cambodian Immigration.. have tip sir? have tip?

So i reply in kind "Yes, I have a tip for you. Keep up the good work!"

General rule of tipping here is just leave the coins. No ones wants a pocket of shrapnel anyways..