Patong, what's the attraction?
Replies: 51 - Last Post: Apr 20, 2012 9:05 AM Last Post By: squidstrips
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16
I just gave me super soaker to the maid at the hotel. She giggled but then seemed truly grateful.The maid at my hotel was trying to get mines from me today. After she'd taken all the 1Baht coins I leave in a cup in my room. I had a strange encounter with her today, she asked when I was leaving. I told her tomorrow I go to Cambodia for 2 weeks. She kept repeating that she wouldn't be here tomorrow, I didn't really know what she was trying to say. I just kept saying "OK well I will see you when I get back" then finally she got to the point and said "so can I take the money" and pointed at the cup. I wasn't planning on having it and usually leave it so told her to take it, thought it was a bit cheeky of her to do it like that though. She just now told me "mister I will be here tomorrow again now" as if hinting I should leave some more money for her.
17
With the tipping thing.As an American i tip, sometimes in places that it is unnecessary.. But i feel if the service is good and it added to my enjoyment of the meal or stay in my hotel, then a tip is well deserved. Saying that, the minute someone asks for a tip or hints the i give them the extra change ..i don't. Its one of those things ..Us Americans are known for tipping ..and i find that as the years go by more and more people thinks its Ok to ask for a tip ..its not.. that is not how it works! I find it very rude if service staff asks for money directly ..I don't like the idea that Americans will just give out money if you ask!
18
I agree about not tipping if they ask for a tip. Luckly, only one person has asked for a tip but she was relentless. In Thailand, I tend not to tip. I've never seen a Thai tip in Thailand ever. I do see many tourists tip. It's not part of the culture. When did all these tipboxes pop up? I'll start tipping in Thailand when I see Thais start to tip. I've witness that change in Europe. I remember when it was a no tipping zone. Now in many countries they do tip, so I tip there too.21
My question is why do other people come here?Because most of them are package tourists, and never do any research, beyond looking at the picture of the hotel in the brochure.
I wish they'd stop including Pattaya in package tours. The families are ruining the place.
22
#24, are these the "The Burmese suit guys" Thais you know?I watch what the locals do. Every single one picks up every last little sub baht copper coin that comes back as change when they leave.
"The Thais themselves do not do it."
"Tipping becomes common, though, with foreigners."
http://www.guidedbyalocal.com/tips/view/405
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24, are these the "The Burmese suit guys" Thais you know?If I meant the Burmese guys I knew I would have said the Burmese guys I knew. I said the Thai people I know. They are all 100% thai and they tip. In my first week one of them pulled me up on not tipping. It was at the On Nut beer gardens where you pay for every round after you order it and the guy wasn't particularly attentive or helpful so I didn't feel like tipping after every round if at all and she asked me why I wasn't doing it, she did it on every round she paid for.
So you don't actually know any Thais then squid, that's clear. You just see what you want to see and use that to justify you being so tight.
24
So if you knew real Thais why were you counting on your Burmese pals to show you the cheap meals you could never find? Isn't it amazing that you were able to suddenly make real Thai friends. It's so convenient to support your point. You should contact that Thai that posted that article I linked to and tell him he's full of it.25
I wouldn't necessarily call leaving the 5 baht change a tip. Most of the Thais I know will take any 10 baht coin left and leave that.It used to be that if you tipped here, it meant that it wasn't good and you were giving them extra money so they could 'improve things'. It's not like that anymore.
I like the Reservoir Dogs way of doing it in Thailand. If I get good service, I'll tip them accordingly. But, being a spoiled :) American who is used to a very attentive and helpful server, I'm usually not too impressed by service in many places and won't leave more than 5 baht. When I get service, instead of the American 20%, I will give 30% since it's so cheap anyways.
26
When in Rome do as the Romans do. It's wrong and arrogant to try to change local customs.Hey, pretty soon there will be no point in travelling as the entire world will be much of a muchness.
28
It's easy for a tight-ass to spend a few days here seeking out the lowest price on everything and then tell us all how the Thais live when clearly he doesn't know a single Thai. Credibility is a big problem here - that, and just being plain wrong and then using twisted and faulty logic to deflect being put right. The bloke's incorrigible - and proud of it! I probably shouldn't say it, but I keep getting the word "redneck".Not long ago a Thai friend who works in a fairly smart restaurant was left 5 baht (in 1 baht coins!) by an American who had paid a 4,000+ baht bill by credit card. She picked up the coins as they left and told the guy he'd left his change. "Oh that's for you" came the reply. The Thai waitress simply said "Oh I have a car, I don't take buses - you need 5 baht more than I do", slipped the coins in the guy's shirt pocket and walked off. Nothing came of it - I guess loss of face does work both ways sometimes.
Either tip, or don't tip - but don't insult. Five baht at a noodle shop where you paid 100 for you and three friends is fine, and actually not necessary at all, but on a bill of 4,000??? Very, very off.
29
So if you knew real Thais why were you counting on your Burmese pals to show you the cheap meals you could never find? Isn't it amazing that you were able to suddenly make real Thai friends. It's so convenient to support your point. You should contact that Thai that posted that article I linked to and tell him he's full of it.I live right beside where the Burmese guys work. When they go for lunch, I go with them. We get a good laugh, some good food (usually hidden away down an alley way or something so I'd never notice it) and I get to find somewhere new to eat. I've had Thai friends since week one when I arrived in Thailand 3 months ago. I've continued to make Thai friends week on week. Maybe it's time to go back to comparing cinema ticket prices to stop you from being bored and making crap arguments?
On the subject of leaving small coins. I bought a couple of drinks in a bar once and there were a few 1B coins left, I don't want these. Whenever I get them I chuck them in a cup in my room and the cleaner takes them when I check out. I left them not as a 'tip' just because I didn't want them and the guy behind the bar rudely said "I don't want these, take them back". Thought it was a bit out of order. The cleaner got them in the end, seems like she needs them. When she saw me checking out yesterday she was like "Mister, checking out?" and before I could reply sprinting up the stairs in the direction of my room so she could be the first there to claim any money. I also left a waterpistol which she wanted.
Edited by: TheSpade
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