paborn

I'm 15% British, but we left in 1633 for the Massachusets Bay Colony - wait, maybe my family started this - argh!!!

Scooby, tipping is apparently such a divisive topic that even gentlemen ( and I mean that ) like Vinapu have a "born again" feeling about it. I thought your comment the mildest of "when in Rome do as the Romans" aphorisms. I'm going to bow out of this before I permanently offend people who I've come to like.

Cute! But, the seconds it takes to google "tipping in Thailand" are quite worth my time.

No, Vinapu you're overlooking my point. Americans made no effort to spread tipping with "religious zeal" my point was that while every place the British Empire expanded tripping was exported. Japan was an example of where Americans did not do this. The world was awash in such practices long before Americans began to build a new nation. I agree that this is a topic being worked for too long, it might, however, just indicate how important it is. Not as a "religion" American or not. But, people are anxious when traveling to a new place to not cause offense. All the things you list are important but I think you're being disingenuous. I have been in dozens and dozens of countries during my career - never found one where a taxi could not be had to take me to a hotel. I never worry about that. I can get a taxi at swampy to take me to Pattaya - 1,500 B no problem. But getting a handle on customs such as tipping requires checking. The best place to exchange money? The rates vary by such a tiny amount that I choose to ignore it. I hasten to add airports are usually terrible - but, downtown - no issue for me. Unless I'm buying a condo it is the fees that add up so I change or use my ATM for large amounts. That's all I need to know. It takes far less time to perform a little online research than it does to pack. I think it's time well spent.

Dear PeterRS: "But if tipping originated in England, who brought the tipping syndrome to most other parts of the world? Unquestionably Americans! Because they are used to it at home, they exported the habit and now it is expected almost everywhere. Want to see a world without tipping? As z909 says in an earlier post, take a trip to Japan. There they not only do not tip, they are offended if you offer one." 1. In point of fact, tipping was spread by the British Empire. The Brits were in decline by the time American bases and power began to spread. The Brits brought it to America and spread it. I do not say this to lay blame, on the Brits - it's just a fact. Yes, the custom has declined in the UK - they tip but not as much as the US. The system is very different. Do not, however, judge today and then interpolate that back to origins. 2. The AMERICANS opened up Japan to trade, occupied Japan after WW2 and dictated their new constitution. ???? My goodness - there is no tipping. The ugly Americans failed to impose their evil way - distressing.

I downloaded the above app (it has a free level and for extra $$ will elaborate with background (e.g. In Thailand to ask or hint for a tip is considered rude). My friend, the designer of that app has never been in a Go-Go bar in Thailand. Rude??? Just adorable.

Just curious. Does anyone use traveler checks anymore? I don't but I'm curious.

Yes, "Bakschisch" in German and French is a small bribe. The word was used ( it derives from Persian ) wherever Islam spread so it has the same meaning from Albania to Madras - including Russia. It has nothing to do with Americans - it was in India before the Brits arrived and it's still there.

is it so illogical and unfounded that the practice was adopted and expanded to compensate former slaves and avoid paying them actual wages? On the contrary, it does sound plausible to me, though I'm not saying I think it's true, I'm no historian of African-American history, and have no inclination of doing lots of research into the subject. Therefore, I treat it as plausible, and even if true probably just ONE reason among others, as is usually the case in complex social situations. I'm sorry, but, historically this is just rubbish. Most former slaves in the South became low paid agricultural workers, then sharecroppers who worked for a small share of the crops to sell. Slaves did not suddenly all become waiters in restaurants. The fact of tipping had existed in American establishments since colonial times it was, emphatically not invented for African Americans. Frankly, it took a long time for African Americans in the North to reach a point where they would be hired for jobs where they came into close contact with whites. Kitchen jobs etc. were their first entry points to restaurants.

Last time I was there I was on the, in American parlance, second-floor front. First thing I did was check the window and the ledge to make sure I could climb out and drop down. It made me feel more secure.

Rattanakosin Island - Got it. That'sd what I would call it. Thanks.

Fair enough. But, is there a bar that has a friendly ambience, a nice manager/owner. Some place a guy would like to hang his hat.

God yes! This is the number one issue with me - cum and go is the number one NO-NO

Divine, after 28 trips you would think I knew this, but what is "old Town" I never heard this before. I really feel stupid. I'd thought I was well read, at least.

I found this: Tipping in Hong Kong. Tipping is not generally part of Hong Kong's culture, except in hotels, where tipping is considered mandatory. HK$10 to HK$20 should be given to bellboys and maids, and remember to tip your concierge if you make use of the service. I always do my research ( there is a wonderful series of books called "culture shock" as in "Culture Shock - Thailand " that are intended for long-term visitors to a huge number of countries but I find them fascinating ) I agree totally with a447a - I tend to stay a few favourite places. I mention Toy Boys all the time. I tip the captain who helps me and advises me, my waiter, the barkeep and even the bar manager ) If a boy has not been offed - I bring him over and have him sit with me, a few hugs later he is getting a tip he deserves. I found on my last trip that there were a number of freelancers allowed to work in TB, who consequently, earned nothing and were a little desperate for a tip. 100 B, to them, made me a "big man on campus" - hell, I'm on vacation. I'd be very interested if the knowledge base here would give me an idea of where to start when I make my first trip to Jomtien. Is there a bar with the kind of workers who might suite a guy who loves Toy Boys? Sort of swimmers builds not overly fem - just you a good looking boy next door.

You know, as I think back on my last few trips the guys I remember most are VN - they have caused me lots of restless sleep. How bad can they be?

At great risk of being called racist - just because something is on youtube doesn't make it true. The American struggle with racial equity has been long and hard. Tipping works the same for blacks and for whites. Unfair policing, segregated housing and a host of other things have created unfairness in the US. Not that we are alone in that When Mexican ads for employment mention " a good appearance" it is code for no Indians need to apply. The world is awash in bigotry - but, the tipping system in US restaurants works the same for any race. It should be ended, but these videos are IMHO absolute rubbish.

I will be staying at the Poseiden on my next visit and have never used the B Bus before. I always staid at the Ambiance and never visited Jomtien. Details of your stay would be most helpful.

I had several encounters with a lovely Ambiance massage guy who complimented me on my good taste as he had noticed how handsome all my offs had been. I was quite flattered. Didn't bother me at all. The maze of the Ambiance was the single biggest thing I worried about. I couldn't find the stairs under normal circumstances; to find my way out in a smokey fire was frightening. Honestly, the noise never bothered me. However, it consistently comes up so until the new LCR is finished it is hard to say what the sound dampening will be like.

I think the point of this thread is to tip, reasonably well in tourist areas and adapt the tipping to the culture. I don't think anyone suggested that we tip in the country areas. The discussion really started with the suggestion that stiff the bars because drinks are so expensive. I think Divinemadman has covered this very well.

Fair enough. Just pointing out that The British Empire gave it to the US and spread it before Americans arrived to reinforce the practice. Americans tip generously but if you examine the issue I think you will find that the areas we tip in are the same as Europeans. We tip more for many reasons - lower wages for one - but you tip taxi drivers, waiters, etc.

A447a - is GC still opening around 1 PM?

I'm staying in Jomtien this trip but I'll look in at the Ambiance. The last trip I was there and it was fine. This new bar is across the street. I can't imagine it being a problem for the Ambience, however, there is a reason to be concerned about a refurbished LCR on top of it.

Christian, I find I must defend my country. It is far too easy to blame Americans for everything: The practice of tipping began in Tudor England.[12] "By the 17th century, it was expected that overnight guests to private homes would provide sums of money, known as vails, to the host’s servants. Soon afterwards, customers began tipping in London coffeehouses and other commercial establishments".[12] The etymology for the synonym for tipping, "gratuity", dates back either to the 1520s, from "graciousness", from the French gratuité (14th century) or directly from Medieval Latin gratuitas, "free gift", probably from earlier Latin gratuitus, "free, freely given" . The meaning "money given for favor or services" is first attested in the 1530s.[9] In some languages, the term translates to "drink money" or similar: for example pourboire in French, Trinkgeld in German, drikkepenge in Danish, and napiwek in Polish. This comes from a custom of inviting a servant to drink a glass in honour of the guest, and paying for it, in order for the guests to show generosity among each other. The term bibalia in Latin was recorded in 1372.

I’m no doubt over amplifying the potential situation. Boyzboyzboyz management I'm not so sure. One consistent complaint about the Ambiance has always been the noise from the bar.