Guest rentalb123 Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Hello all, was wondering if there were some standard tipping rules or ranges that I could reference. I know that based on service, etc., values would fluctuate, but just some ballpark percentages or values. Waiters Taxi Drivers Housekeeping Boys that just come and sit with you and that you just enjoy some conversation with Do you go up to the stage and tip dancers like in the states? Beach guys who give massage Etc. Thanks in advance for any info......see you in May..... Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 IMHO: Waiters - 10% of bill if service charge is not added, 20-40 baht if it is. If you leave the tip in the folder it is shared by all. If you want to tip only the waiter himself, put it in his hand or in his shirt pocket. Taxis - any small coinage when far is rounded up to the next 50 baht. Housekeeping in hotels - 50 - 100 baht per day. Bar boys who sit with you for a long time - 100 baht, short time 50 baht. You can tip a boy on the stage if you feel you a connection, but not necessary. Massage boys on the beach get their fee and if you get an exceptional massage another 50-100 baht. Some will say I under tip, some will say I over tip. Quote
Guest buaseng Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Housekeeping in hotels - 50 - 100 baht per day. ...Some will say I under tip, some will say I over tip. Agree completely with all you say except for the hotel housekeeping item. What you suggest is grossly over-the-top. I asked Khun ORR, the housekeeping manager at LCR, what was 'best practice' and he said 20 Baht a day (under the pilllow) for the maid is sufficient. I asked him what would be acceptable for a 20 day stay (I usually had the same maid make up the room). He replied that 700-800 Baht was more then would be expected. When I suggested 1000 Baht for the 20 day stay (because the maid had provided excellent room-keeping service) he said that was more than generous! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Housekeeping in hotels - 50 - 100 baht per day. In almost 40 years of extensive travelling, I have only ever left tips for housekeepers when in the USA where it is expected. Managers at many hotels in Europe and Asia have told me that tipping of housekeepers is definitely not expected because the staff all share in the general 'tip' pool. Tipping is generally an American habit that has gradually worked its way around much of the world. But in Thailand, I will be extremely surprised if people in the industry were to tell me tips for housekeepers and room maids are common. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Some will say I under tip, some will say I over tip. And some will completely agree with your tipping policies. I'm one of the people who agrees with nearly everything you wrote with the exception of the amount you give to housekeeping. If I have a bellboy take my luggage to my room (and from my room when I check out) I usually tip him 20 to 100 baht, depending on the amount of luggage I have and how helpful he is. If I happen to be out in the middle of nowhere, or somewhere at which gay venues don't exist, then if I ask a bellboy for "assistance" in finding someone for the evening, and he comes up with what I'm looking for, then he'll get 300 to 500 baht. If it turns out that the bellboy himself provides the, uhhhhh, "companionship," then obviously he's going to get more. I also don't tip quite as you do in restaurants. In restaurants at which a service charge is added, as far as I'm concerned that's the tip. I'll tip beyond the service charge if the service was exceptional. In restaurants that do not have a service charge 20 baht is usually the expected tip. That's what I usually leave. Again, I'll leave more if I particularly liked the service. In restaurants that I consider to be "high class," but there is no service charge, I usually leave 10 to 15%. In the bars, if a boy invites himself to sit with me, and I neither asked him to sit with me nor wanted him to sit with me, he gets nothing. A pushy mama-san gets nothing. A truly helpful mama-san gets a tip from me. The amount is variable depending on many different factors. If I ask a boy to sit with me, he gets 100 baht. If I ask a boy to sit with me and I really enjoyed his company, then he usually gets 200 baht unless I take him off. If I take him off, then he gets his tip along with the amount I give him for his "services." It's difficult to come up with true standards in Thailand, where most everything is "up to you." I don't think true standards exist here at all when it comes to tipping. Quote
Guest laurence Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 My tipping is in-line with what has been written. At go-go bars I leave 20 Baht for he waiter. I always try to tip at least one boy on stage; the one who displays the best performance. I like to give them 50 Baht but not easy to find a wad of 50 Baht notes. For restaurants, always 10%; since I dine with my bf the price is double and 20 Baht would be insufficient. Quote
Guest Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 If I happen to be out in the middle of nowhere, or somewhere at which gay venues don't exist, then if I ask a bellboy for "assistance" in finding someone for the evening, and he comes up with what I'm looking for, then he'll get 300 to 500 baht. If it turns out that the bellboy himself provides the, uhhhhh, "companionship," then obviously he's going to get more. In the bars, if a boy invites himself to sit with me, and I neither asked him to sit with me nor wanted him to sit with me, he gets nothing. A pushy mama-san gets nothing. A truly helpful mama-san gets a tip from me. The amount is variable depending on many different factors. If I ask a boy to sit with me, he gets 100 baht. If I ask a boy to sit with me and I really enjoyed his company, then he usually gets 200 baht unless I take him off. If I take him off, then he gets his tip along with the amount I give him for his "services." It's difficult to come up with true standards in Thailand, where most everything is "up to you." I don't think true standards exist here at all when it comes to tipping. I normally tip 10% in restaurants, unless the food or service was poor. Am in agreement with your tipping philosophy in bars too. Pushy mamasans & boys who are not invited to sit by you should get nothing. I would like to hear more about using the bell boy to find you some company -sounds like a good strategy in out of the way places. However do you ever find them unhelpful when they hear you want them to find you male company? Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I normally tip 10% in restaurants, unless the food or service was poor. I think it is unfair to the waiter not to tip if the food is bad. He is not responsible for the quality of the food, only for the quality of the service.. For me, it depends how a waiter reacts if I complain about the food. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 However do you ever find them unhelpful when they hear you want them to find you male company? I've never had a bellboy become rude, belligerent, or impolite when I've approached him for assistance in finding some "companionship." I think you can probably get an idea as to whether the bellboy would be responsive just by his demeanor. If he seems to be the type who might get upset if I ask, then I don't ask. But that's rare. I've never had one tell me he won't try. I've had them tell me they don't know anybody, but that's about it. Once when I was out in the hinterlands, there was no bellboy at all. I said something to the cleaning woman. She merely smiled and shrugged. Much to my surprise, about three hours later she showed up with a young gentleman who turned out to be her cousin. He was really cute and eager. I ended up having a fabulous night! But I was really stupid. It didn't even occur to me to get his phone number until I was far away from that place. Damn! I still bitch slap myself over that little mistake! I wish I turned around and went back. Oh well, ol' love 'em and lose 'em strikes again! I'm sure everyone has his own methods of approaching someone. When I ask for that kind of assistance from a bellboy I simply let him know I'm gay, alone, don't know anyone in this area, and am wondering if he might be able to help me out in return for a good tip. That usually works just fine. I try to solicit that kind of help from the cutest bellboy. That way, if he's interested himself, that's also just fine. Quote
Guest shebavon Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I also don't tip quite as you do in restaurants. In restaurants at which a service charge is added, as far as I'm concerned that's the tip. I'll tip beyond the service charge if the service was exceptional. In restaurants that do not have a service charge 20 baht is usually the expected tip. That's what I usually leave. Again, I'll leave more if I particularly liked the service. In restaurants that I consider to be "high class," but there is no service charge, I usually leave 10 to 15%. In the bars, if a boy invites himself to sit with me, and I neither asked him to sit with me nor wanted him to sit with me, he gets nothing. A pushy mama-san gets nothing. A truly helpful mama-san gets a tip from me. The amount is variable depending on many different factors. If I ask a boy to sit with me, he gets 100 baht. If I ask a boy to sit with me and I really enjoyed his company, then he usually gets 200 baht unless I take him off. If I take him off, then he gets his tip along with the amount I give him for his "services." It's difficult to come up with true standards in Thailand, where most everything is "up to you." I don't think true standards exist here at all when it comes to tipping. GB, I am pretty much with you on this topic. I've seen waiters at go-go bars try to humiliate new farang in town that they were undertipping with 20 baht, but I think that is fair. At restaurants, 20 baht for a minimum, but for bills more than 200 baht, I generally leave 10%. Now the doormen at bars, that is another question. Once in a while I will give a touchy-feely one a 20 baht tip, but I make a practice of not giving on a regular basis. They can come on a bit too strong from my perspective. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Housekeeping in hotels - 50 - 100 baht per day. I am curious to find out if tipping housekeeping staff is indeed the norm, and if non-Americans do this regularly. Quote
Gaybutton Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I am curious to find out if tipping housekeeping staff is indeed the norm, and if non-Americans do this regularly. I very rarely tip housekeeping staff if I am staying in a hotel only one or two nights. If I'm staying longer and I am satisfied with the job they're doing, that's when I start tipping. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Restaurants-Generally 20 baht but if a big bill then more; if bill is 70 baht then I'll leave 10; in small places that cater to Thais and I order a 30 baht plate then nothing. Houskeeping: At the place where I'm living I hand out 20 baht on days I see them, maybe three times a week, but nothing if I don't see them. The front desk staff I give about 40 baht each a month, 100 at Christmas, and gave one who was having a baby soon 300 for a baby gift. But the front desk staff are very friendly and set a good vibe for the building. Tips for boys in gogos. Unwanted attention: 0 A boy I call down: usually 100 Waitstaff in bars: generally 20 Massages at the lady massage places around town: 50 baht per hour of massage Taxi from airport to Pattaya: generally 100 Taxis in Bangkok: generally round up to the next 20 baht Streetkids who approach me in Sunee: 0 Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 At the beach when I pay my bill I tip 20 baht every day., regardless if my bill is only 40 baht or I eat there and it is much more. Quote
Guest xiandarkthorne Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I am curious to find out if tipping housekeeping staff is indeed the norm, and if non-Americans do this regularly. Only the British and Americans tip the housekeeping staff regularly, I have discovered after working in 3, 4 and 5-star hotels for nearly 10 years. Most of the Asians I know or have encountered do not tip any of the staff at all, let alone the housekeeping girls. Personally I do, since I had to help out occasionally when occupancies were high and more than a couple were off sick. It was an eye-opening experience to discover for myself how very, very hard the girls worked every day. Do you know that the industry standard in Malaysia is anywhere from 15-18 rooms per day per girl (depending on the size of the hotel)? That includes vacuming, cleaning sinks, ash trays and dirty glasses, wiping off tables, stripping and making beds, washing toilets (as well as bathtubs when needed) and if your room has a balcony, that whole area, too. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Do you know that the industry standard in Malaysia is anywhere from 15-18 rooms per day per girl (depending on the size of the hotel)? That includes vacuming, cleaning sinks, ash trays and dirty glasses, wiping off tables, stripping and making beds, washing toilets (as well as bathtubs when needed) and if your room has a balcony, that whole area, too. I think many people don't know or don't care. Glad to hear about it first hand. Quote
Jason1988 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Taxis usually get the change or rounded up to the next 20-50 baht, depending on how far. From the airport to a Bangkok hotel I give 100 baht. In restaurants I leave the loose change or at least 20 baht. In hi end places usually 10% of the check, providing there hasn't been a service charge added. If there is someone that I think is cute or gives excellent service I'll put 50 baht or more in his hand or shirt pocket. That way, it is his and not shared with the staff. I usually tip the room boy or maid 100 baht the first day I see them, if I am staying a few days in the hotel. You'd be surprised how well your room is taken care of and while others wait, your room is refreshed, restocked and ready for whatever you may have planned that afternoon or evening. Or, if you prefer to sleep late they will make sure that you aren't disturbed and as soon as you want them, they will be there to take care of your room...quickly! If I ask a boy to sit with me in a go go bar I give him 100 baht. The waiters usually 20 baht per drink. As a tourist you can be a little generous. 20 to 100 baht will not break the bank! I'm sure that resident expats have learned that overtipping or being too generous is looked upon as being a little foolish. Have your Thai boyfriends told you that? Quote
KhorTose Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I'm sure that resident expats have learned that overtipping or being too generous is looked upon as being a little foolish. Have your Thai boyfriends told you that? Yes, and was I surprised to hear that. It made me start tipping much more in line with what many of you suggest above. It is both a "fool and his money thing", and a weak heart rather then a good heart thing. You seem to lose a lot of respect by throwing money around, just to show you have it. Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 My tipping is in-line with what has been written. At go-go bars I leave 20 Baht for he waiter. I always try to tip at least one boy on stage; the one who displays the best performance. I like to give them 50 Baht but not easy to find a wad of 50 Baht notes. For restaurants, always 10%; since I dine with my bf the price is double and 20 Baht would be insufficient. I went to a decent Thai restauant in BKK with a Thai friend , his 3 sisters and and his parents. My Thai friend picked up the tab and I noticed he left only a 20 baht tip. Later when I asked him to explain his reasoning, he told me that Thais tip a total of 20 baht regardless of the number of people served or the amount of the bill. He said that is what is expected by the wait staff. He is a middle class professional and not at all tight with his money. Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I very rarely tip housekeeping staff if I am staying in a hotel only one or two nights. If I'm staying longer and I am satisfied with the job they're doing, that's when I start tipping. I am American and I always tip housekeeping - something in the $5 - $10 range for a 2 day stay. I am never sure if the person who cleaned my room actually gets the tip - I just leave the money on the dresser when I leave and hope it finds its way to the appropriate person. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I'm sure that resident expats have learned that overtipping or being too generous is looked upon as being a little foolish. Have your Thai boyfriends told you that? Some Thai BF's don't like you to tip too much because they figure that is money that could be theirs. The same about going to more expensive restaurants. Quote
Guest laurence Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Some Thai BF's don't like you to tip too much because they figure that is money that could be theirs. The same about going to more expensive restaurants. At one Thai restaurant my Thai bf was "taken" by a sob story by our waitress (it was a true story) and tipped her about 200 Baht. Of course it was my money, but it was compassionate on his part. Yes, I know, easy to be compassionate with someone's else Baht. Like Bernie Madoff. Quote
