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Stitchawl · 10-27-2014, 08:28 PM

Tips and tipping... A long-running problem.

Asia has, in the past, viewed tipping in a very different light than what is seen in the US. In Japan, there simply is NO tipping unless one is in a very upscale hotel or restaurant frequented by Americans. I've had waitstaff in Japan actually return a tip saying 'our job is to give you good service. We don't deserve extra pay for doing our job.'

In Thailand and Malaysia, the 'norm' is, if the service has been exceptional, to leave what ever few coins are in the tray after you've paid the bill, rather than calculate some specific number. If in a more upscale place, one might add a bit to it, usually under a dollar or two. When I finish my lunch in the restaurant where I eat almost every day, and leave the few coins (totaling up to about 20 cents,) the waitress bows to me, and 'wei's' her thanks. My tea is brought to me every day without being asked, and I'm served like an honored guest. If I were to 'tip' 20 cents in an American restaurant, I'd be afraid to ever eat there again...

But this weekend we were in a self-serve restaurant in Bangkok, in an area frequented by Western tourists. The only interaction with staff was at the cash register. While we were finishing our desserts, a young woman came walking around the table stopping next to each person, and shaking a 'Tip Box!' There were four Thais in our group of seven people, and the adults were infuriated at this behavior.

At this time, tipping is 'required' in the US as waitstaff are not protected by the Minimum Wage Act, and only receive a few dollars per hour as salary. Tipping has stopped being a 'gratuity' in the US a long time ago. But it's very different outside North America. A tip is a gratuity for especially good service, but the concept is getting muddied in Asia by Americans coming over and leaving 15%-25% tips where ever they go. When a meal in an American restaurant costs $60 for two, and the tip left is a $15 gift, it's a hefty chunk of money. But in Asia, the same meal might cost $10 so an American doesn't think twice about leaving a 50% tip, and is almost happy to do so! Asians are getting used to being gifted with cash from tourists, and are now beginning to almost demand it!

Stitchawl

10-27-2014, 08:28 PM	#24870
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	Tips and tipping... A long-running problem. Asia has, in the past, viewed tipping in a very different light than what is seen in the US. In Japan, there simply is NO tipping unless one is in a very upscale hotel or restaurant frequented by Americans. I've had waitstaff in Japan actually return a tip saying 'our job is to give you good service. We don't deserve extra pay for doing our job.' In Thailand and Malaysia, the 'norm' is, if the service has been exceptional, to leave what ever few coins are in the tray after you've paid the bill, rather than calculate some specific number. If in a more upscale place, one might add a bit to it, usually under a dollar or two. When I finish my lunch in the restaurant where I eat almost every day, and leave the few coins (totaling up to about 20 cents,) the waitress bows to me, and 'wei's' her thanks. My tea is brought to me every day without being asked, and I'm served like an honored guest. If I were to 'tip' 20 cents in an American restaurant, I'd be afraid to ever eat there again... But this weekend we were in a self-serve restaurant in Bangkok, in an area frequented by Western tourists. The only interaction with staff was at the cash register. While we were finishing our desserts, a young woman came walking around the table stopping next to each person, and shaking a 'Tip Box!' There were four Thais in our group of seven people, and the adults were infuriated at this behavior. At this time, tipping is 'required' in the US as waitstaff are not protected by the Minimum Wage Act, and only receive a few dollars per hour as salary. Tipping has stopped being a 'gratuity' in the US a long time ago. But it's very different outside North America. A tip is a gratuity for especially good service, but the concept is getting muddied in Asia by Americans coming over and leaving 15%-25% tips where ever they go. When a meal in an American restaurant costs $60 for two, and the tip left is a $15 gift, it's a hefty chunk of money. But in Asia, the same meal might cost $10 so an American doesn't think twice about leaving a 50% tip, and is almost happy to do so! Asians are getting used to being gifted with cash from tourists, and are now beginning to almost demand it! Stitchawl Last edited by Stitchawl; 10-27-2014 at 08:36 PM.