You can't do this. 45 baht tip on 8000 baht bill

[farang000999]

By the way, it is not easy to find wait staff here, as it seems to be a looked down upon profession in Thailand. And from what I have seen in Thailand, they are treated like "slaves", unfortunately. Many people sadly don't see that customer service can be challenging and unrewarding, especially if not trained for it.

Very good post asa restaurant owner, NiwPix.

Yes, it is kind of disturbing when you hear farang cheerfully telling you about the way the Thais treat the lowest members of Thai society and how we should do the same.

[MZurf]

I swear, if laptops, internet access and electricity were free nine out of ten topics on Thaivisa would be about pricing/how to spend less etc. There's nothing that can get a certain type of people going more than the thought of spending...well, anything!

Having limited means is of course totally OK, but for the love of Buddha!!

Edited December 14, 2014 by MZurf

[farang000999]

At least treat the staff with respect

Does that not say it all? Treat staff and people in general with respect. If the service is good or excellent, let them know. Give a compliment, perhaps leave a tip (small, medium, generous). Whatever you as an individual think is the right thing to do.

And as staff IMHO you should never "expect" a tip as in that it's required by default from all customers. Especially not generous 10-20% tips or when the service was a bit lacking. In Thailand you might expect that at a normal restaurant people leave the change (which is a tip). But again, the customer decides.

Being upset or even staining the food due to no or small tips cannot be excused. If your income is that shitty, do a better job or find a better job. Some people may be stuck in low income jobs but even then there is no reason to receive or hand out ill or disgusting behaviour. A smile goes a long way, even if it does not directly get you any food on the table.

They can't eat or drink your smile.

[MrWorldwide]

the day i get a waiter who can time menu delivery and re appear several minutes later without hovering...

and who can bring the bill in that window between finishing and an uncomfrotable wait (or who brings it at all)...

is the day i will start tipping. has not happened in years here.

Just come to Pattaya - unless you're one of those freaks who likes to go right through the menu twice before ordering, I dont think it will take long for your experience to change. That said, i do have an issue with the outdoor restaurants here - many make absolutely no attempt to deter hawkers and beggars from pestering you at your table. Even had some clown from Eastern Europe stagger in the other night trying to sell what appeared to be viagra - despite the fact that he was loud and obnoxious, the Thai staff just stood meekly by and let him do his thing. Other than one or two Thai bar owners who've given these people their marching orders, most could care less about the hawkers who stroll into their businesses and pester their paying customers - it's the side of mai pen rai that leaves me throwing my arms in the air.

On the subject of tipping, I'm happier to leave a tip in Thailand than I ever was in Australia where I know that many hospitality staff are on award wages, and the price of a meal reflects that, but I object to the expectation that every Westerner who sits down in your restaurant in Thailand is automatically going to leave a generous tip regardless of the standard of service. You're seen as some kind of undesirable if you ask for a closer look at a bill in many places here, and that needs to change - again, its part of the expectation that most of us will just pay without questioning how an omelette and an orange juice suddenly came to 320 baht

All this talk of food is making me hungry - mmmm, omelette ......

[CarlTyson]

the day i get a waiter who can time menu delivery and re appear several minutes later without hovering...

and who can bring the bill in that window between finishing and an uncomfrotable wait (or who brings it at all)...

is the day i will start tipping. has not happened in years here.

How much hidden snot & spit have you consumed I wonder?

[tlcwaterfall]

DON'T TIP, you just ruin the culture for everyone. How stupid is it to encourage people to actually do what they are paid to do by their employer. Think your a bigger man now? How about dropping the 300 Baht into a reputable donation location, that actually helps out someone without a job.

Oz

We all know that most of the Australians visiting Thailand are not the world best tip giving people.

Do we ???

He is just showing his ignorance about Australians. Ignore him as others will do.

[canuckamuck]

If I could change four things about waiting tables in Thailand they would be this.

1. After you give me the menu and perhaps asked about drinks, bugger off long enough for us to read the menu, particularly if it has many pages.

2. Please give menu to everyone at the table. Why the heck do so many restaurants here give you half of the required menus? (ie. 2 for 4 people)

3. Once you given us our food, please return at least once and find out if we need another coffee, or some other thing.

4. Once we have clearly finished eating, find out if we want anything more. If we don.t please return with the bill at some point in the future. My per hate is hunting down the bill when you want to go.

I know these are western customs, but it's a wish list eh.

[trainman34014]

If I could change four things about waiting tables in Thailand they would be this.

1. After you give me the menu and perhaps asked about drinks, bugger off long enough for us to read the menu, particularly if it has many pages.

2. Please give menu to everyone at the table. Why the heck do so many restaurants here give you half of the required menus? (ie. 2 for 4 people)

3. Once you given us our food, please return at least once and find out if we need another coffee, or some other thing.

4. Once we have clearly finished eating, find out if we want anything more. If we don.t please return with the bill at some point in the future. My per hate is hunting down the bill when you want to go.

I know these are western customs, but it's a wish list eh.

Quick turnover of staff owing to low wages, minimum or zero staff training, lack of etiquette generally in handling of customers....all normal in everyday Thailand.

Would bigger tips help ? No way; and IMO one should not support poor service.

[skippy]

@ OP

Who picked up the 345 baht ?

[thailiketoo]

Quick turnover of staff owing to low wages, minimum or zero staff training, lack of etiquette generally in handling of customers....all normal in everyday Thailand.

Would bigger tips help ? No way; and IMO one should not support poor service.

In a good restaurant with big tips there is little staff turnover owing to low wages because the tips make for high wages. Would bigger tips help? By your definition of course they would. According to you supporting tips (higher wages) supports good service and I agree.

[CarlTyson]

We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

[true blue]

As long as you don't tip the barber or the dentist - these two are no nos in Thailand.

i always tip my barber and the lady who shampoos my hair,been going to the same barbers for many years now,and i get very good service when i go,always use to tip barber in uk too.

[mtnthai]

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We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

paychecks in the USA for waitstaff are most often used to cover the taxes on their tips.

As long as you don't tip the barber or the dentist - these two are no nos in Thailand.

i always tip my barber and the lady who shampoos my hair,been going to the same barbers for many years now,and i get very good service when i go,always use to tip barber in uk too.

me too, here in TH and in the US, especially the shampoo person if ther is one.

[David48]

We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

Carl, when you said 'back home' ... where did you have your Restaurant?

The UK?

[Donutz]

They can't eat or drink your smile.

It's not all about the money in life I hope... When, where and what to tips depends on who you are, the level of service etc. If you had a proper restaurant visit then often a tip or leaving the change would be the right thing to do, but general kindness and a smile go a long way too. If one orders a single plate there would have been very little service required, would I expect a tip? Not when I waited tables. I leave change when the service was okay and how much service I received. If there was very good service they get a tip. But general kindness and respect goes a long way too. Whether in a restaurant or other place, with or without leaving change/tip.

Just as leaving a 45 baht tip on a 3-8 thousand bill can be perfectly okay depending on how much work was involved for the (waiting) staff.

[FritsSikkink]

DON'T TIP, you just ruin the culture for everyone. How stupid is it to encourage people to actually do what they are paid to do by their employer. Think your a bigger man now? How about dropping the 300 Baht into a reputable donation location, that actually helps out someone without a job.

Oz

We all know that most of the Australians visiting Thailand are not the world best tip giving people.

Do we ???

He is just showing his ignorance about Australians. Ignore him as others will do.

ignorance??? You are saying Australians are big tippers.

I give you one thing, they are better than Russians on average.

[frollywolly]

At least treat the staff with respect

Does that not say it all? Treat staff and people in general with respect. If the service is good or excellent, let them know. Give a compliment, perhaps leave a tip (small, medium, generous). Whatever you as an individual think is the right thing to do.

And as staff IMHO you should never "expect" a tip as in that it's required by default from all customers. Especially not generous 10-20% tips or when the service was a bit lacking. In Thailand you might expect that at a normal restaurant people leave the change (which is a tip). But again, the customer decides.

Being upset or even staining the food due to no or small tips cannot be excused. If your income is that shitty, do a better job or find a better job. Some people may be stuck in low income jobs but even then there is no reason to receive or hand out ill or disgusting behaviour. A smile goes a long way, even if it does not directly get you any food on the table.

Good point. Even the grumpiest of farangs can give a modicum of respect. If you don't like the service then don't leave a tip. Unless the staff were deliberately rude, you can offer a smile at the minimum

[frollywolly]

Just as leaving a 45 baht tip on a 3-8 thousand bill can be perfectly okay depending on how much work was involved for the (waiting) staff.

It can be okay to leave that, if as you say, there was little service work involved. The 300 baht I left was commensurate with the service given and my own opinion as to a fair tip based on that.

I enjoy spreading a tiny fraction of my wealth around. It gives the Frollys a warm feeling inside

[frollywolly]

We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future.

[thailiketoo]

We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future.

Except for like, every bar in Pattaya ! I would imagine salary is a very small negotiable percent. You did say it's been 20 years since you've been to Thailand? It shows.

[frollywolly]

DON'T TIP, you just ruin the culture for everyone. How stupid is it to encourage people to actually do what they are paid to do by their employer. Think your a bigger man now? How about dropping the 300 Baht into a reputable donation location, that actually helps out someone without a job.

Oz

Don’t tip because I might ruin it for everyone?

We ‘farang’ are not one big club of people all secretly working together for the betterment of ourselves and to keep down the natives. I would certainly not live my life by your ideals or anyone else to keep the status quo as you see it.

I have worked hard for my money, I have plenty of it, and I’ll dispense it as I see fit when and how I like. Drop it in a donation location? why?

I will be happy to double my tip next time, '600 baht, compliments ozsamurai'.

[frollywolly]

We had a restaurant back home where the staff did so well on tips, the owner didn't even pay them a salary.

There were other good waitress' too, always applying to get the next position at this cafe.

The place was packed, service was excellent and the staff were super happy. The place had a nice buzz.

Keep your waitress happy. It pays off I say.

I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future.

Except for like, every bar in Pattaya ! I would imagine salary is a very small negotiable percent. You did say it's been 20 years since you've been to Thailand? It shows.

I said friends of 20 years. I have been coming to Thailand 30 years and living here for around half of that time if added together.

As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya.

[thailiketoo]

I said friends of 20 years. I have been coming to Thailand 30 years and living here for around half of that time if added together.

As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya.

You wrote, " I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future. (tips instead of wages))

Most bars in Thailand that employ women as wait staff/for dancing or conversation in every town in Thailand commonly referred to as Karaoke bars or beer bars of go go bars the salary is a very small percent of the employees income. So small as to be pocket change for Som Tom.

[frollywolly]

I said friends of 20 years. I have been coming to Thailand 30 years and living here for around half of that time if added together.

As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya.

You wrote, " I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future. (tips instead of wages))

Most bars in Thailand that employ women as wait staff/for dancing or conversation in every town in Thailand commonly referred to as Karaoke bars or beer bars of go go bars the salary is a very small percent of the employees income. So small as to be pocket change for Som Tom.

I take your experienced word for it and I hope a restaurant in the future is able to introduce it also.

[thailiketoo]

I said friends of 20 years. I have been coming to Thailand 30 years and living here for around half of that time if added together.

As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya.

You wrote, " I cannot see Thailand being able to support such a system. Maybe in the future. (tips instead of wages))

Most bars in Thailand that employ women as wait staff/for dancing or conversation in every town in Thailand commonly referred to as Karaoke bars or beer bars of go go bars the salary is a very small percent of the employees income. So small as to be pocket change for Som Tom.

I take your experienced word for it and I hope a restaurant in the future is able to introduce it also.

I guess you meant that as a slam. I know because I'm an immoral monger and you have no idea because you are a fine upstanding Bwana type person. Well, shahib most fine dining establishments in Bangkok have already made the transition. When I got to Thailand in 1968 there were perhaps two restaurants in Bangkok where tipping was the norm now I imagine there are a 100.

If on the rare chance that you weren't trying to imply how much better a person you are than I (reference to family and my experience and so on) sorry for the colonial jargon.

[frollywolly]

I guess you meant that as a slam. I know because I'm an immoral monger and you have no idea because you are a fine upstanding Bwana type person. Well, shahib most fine dining establishments in Bangkok have already made the transition. When I got to Thailand in 1968 there were perhaps two restaurants in Bangkok where tipping was the norm now I imagine there are a 100.

If on the rare chance that you weren't trying to imply how much better a person you are than I (reference to family and my experience and so on) sorry for the colonial jargon.

How could you possibly pick any offence out of my 2 previous posts? Have a read of them again and get off your high horse. I deferred to your knowledge and experience on the matter of bars across Thailand. If you can possibly take offence to that, so be it.

[thailiketoo]

I guess you meant that as a slam. I know because I'm an immoral monger and you have no idea because you are a fine upstanding Bwana type person. Well, shahib most fine dining establishments in Bangkok have already made the transition. When I got to Thailand in 1968 there were perhaps two restaurants in Bangkok where tipping was the norm now I imagine there are a 100.

If on the rare chance that you weren't trying to imply how much better a person you are than I (reference to family and my experience and so on) sorry for the colonial jargon.

How could you possibly pick any offence out of my 2 previous posts? Have a read of them again and get off your high horse. I deferred to your knowledge and experience on the matter of bars across Thailand. If you can possibly take offence to that, so be it.

You wrote, "As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya."

For me, I like Pattaya as does Mrs. Thailiketoo and the toolets. So I can't speak to the holier than thou folks that Pattaya freaks out.

I assume you see the sarcasm of my post but feel it is not justified.

Every town in Thailand is a little like Pattaya and Pattaya is a little like every town in Thailand and people who live in Thailand for any long period of time usually figure that out.

I like the night life. Mrs Thailiketoo likes the shopping and the toolets like the water park. How could you have a Thai family and not like Pattaya? The movies have bed seating and the waitstaff crawls on their knees to bring you coke and popcorn during the movie; now that's service !

[sparkey]

You wrote, "As for Pattaya. I am not a fan, neither is Mrs Frolly, neither are the Frolettes. So i cannot speak for bars in Pattaya."

For me, I like Pattaya as does Mrs. Thailiketoo and the toolets. So I can't speak to the holier than thou folks that Pattaya freaks out.

I assume you see the sarcasm of my post but feel it is not justified.

Every town in Thailand is a little like Pattaya and Pattaya is a little like every town in Thailand and people who live in Thailand for any long period of time usually figure that out.

I like the night life. Mrs Thailiketoo likes the shopping and the toolets like the water park. How could you have a Thai family and not like Pattaya? The movies have bed seating and the waitstaff crawls on their knees to bring you coke and popcorn during the movie; now that's service !

new that's worth a tip in my books
555

[daveAustin]

Your friend invites you to dinner, pays a whopping 8,000 baht and you complain that he won't pay more as a tip! Some friend you turned out to be -- 'merican? Not that tipping is obligatory in Thailand anyway, but with prices like that, there's a good chance a service charge was added. Wonder if he'll invite you out again.

[daveAustin]

DON'T TIP, you just ruin the culture for everyone. How stupid is it to encourage people to actually do what they are paid to do by their employer. Think your a bigger man now? How about dropping the 300 Baht into a reputable donation location, that actually helps out someone without a job.

Oz

Don’t tip because I might ruin it for everyone?

We ‘farang’ are not one big club of people all secretly working together for the betterment of ourselves and to keep down the natives. I would certainly not live my life by your ideals or anyone else to keep the status quo as you see it.

I have worked hard for my money, I have plenty of it, and I’ll dispense it as I see fit when and how I like. Drop it in a donation location? why?

I will be happy to double my tip next time, '600 baht, compliments ozsamurai'.

And you'll be considered a senseless farang when you do. You don't win hearts and minds by throwing money at the natives; they might smile and wai, but up top they're thinking what a belittling fool. Sheesh, why do people that come to live here know absolutely nothing about the culture?