Tipping

[john luke]

Pros of Tipping:

• Motivation and Service Quality: Tipping can incentivise workers to provide better service since it directly impacts their income.
• Flexibility: Customers can reward outstanding service or withhold tips for poor service, offering a flexible form of appreciation.
• Income Supplement: For workers in industries with low base pay, tips can significantly boost their overall earnings.

 

Cons of Tipping:

• Income Uncertainty: Relying on tips can lead to financial instability for workers, as income may fluctuate based on customer generosity and business volume.
• Inequality: Tipping can perpetuate income disparities among service workers, as not all receive the same tipping level.
• Cultural and Ethical Concerns: In some cultures, tipping is not standard and may create discomfort or confusion; it can also lead to unfair labour practices if employers use tips to justify low wages.

 

Chat GPT quotes the above when asked to summarise the pros and cons of tipping.  What do members think?

[forcebwithu]

Oh no, another tipping thread.  To be fair, I checked and found only two others, the most recent was over a year ago.

 

[fygjam]

Cow tipping is the purported activity of sneaking up on any unsuspecting or sleeping upright cow and pushing it over for entertainment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cow_tipping

 

[forcebwithu]

[Glasseye]

7 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Oh no, another tipping thread.  To be fair, I checked and found only two others, the most recent was over a year ago.

 

 

 

Bawwwaaaaaaahahah

 

That was exactly my same thoughts. Another tipping thread.  Very funny.

[john luke]

For the defence, as I posted this thread:  times and values in both U.K. and USA have changed a lot since Covid, Brexit, 2024 elections in both countries, so I thought there may be some changed opinions.

[Glasseye]

5 minutes ago, john luke said:

For the defence, as I posted this thread:  times and values in both U.K. and USA have changed a lot since Covid, Brexit, 2024 elections in both countries, so I thought there may be some changed opinions.

 

I actually totally understand that angle. 

I can say that for me I have always been a stupid Yank over tipper. For me covid did not change my habits.

But, I can certainly see how it may have influenced some folks who in the past may have not been as gratuitous as they previously had been. Covid and the recognition of loss, hardship, and difficult living conditions became more evident in most people's eyes. 

99% of the tips I give are well appreciated. I never have any qualms about it, and I don't expect any favors (but if I get em later I'm not complaining). Helping people a little bit when I can does me as much benefit as it does them (and probably more).

[john luke]

This is an old thread.  The reason I have made a post today is that over the last couple of weeks or so, my Facebook page has been inundated with posts where restaurants, mainly in USA, have been making entries on their bills to the effect of 'expected tip should be $----.'

Has anyone, particularly members from USA any idea what has stirred this up?

[Glasseye]

2 hours ago, john luke said:

This is an old thread.  The reason I have made a post today is that over the last couple of weeks or so, my Facebook page has been inundated with posts where restaurants, mainly in USA, have been making entries on their bills to the effect of 'expected tip should be $----.'

Has anyone, particularly members from USA any idea what has stirred this up?

 

Probably something to do with the new tax bill (The Big Beautiful Bill) that will be implemented soon. 

I don't know the details on it but there is some language that gives some workers who earn a certain percentage of their wages from tips a break. Probably some kind of provision to enable documentation. Which means...... they are putting it out as a tax break, but not sure how it will all work out. 

[forcebwithu]

11 hours ago, john luke said:

This is an old thread.  The reason I have made a post today is that over the last couple of weeks or so, my Facebook page has been inundated with posts where restaurants, mainly in USA, have been making entries on their bills to the effect of 'expected tip should be $----.'

Has anyone, particularly members from USA any idea what has stirred this up?

That's been on some bills for as long as I can remember. It's not common, but IIRC chain restaurants are in the main guilty of adding that text to the bill.

Since tipping in the US isn't going away in my lifetime, I'd rather see that then the mandatory ++ surcharge BS.

[Golfingboy]

On 3/9/2025 at 11:13 PM, fygjam said:

Cow tipping is the purported activity of sneaking up on any unsuspecting or sleeping upright cow and pushing it over for entertainment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cow_tipping

 

Tommy Boy ! 

[Golfingboy]

Always been a huge tipper when I can afford to go out, as an ex-cabbie.My opinion:

It should never be forced, you get a takeout pizza, pick it up yourself, yeah I’ve tipped for this or left coins in the jar, but we have places that the debit machine almost locks you in to 18%++ f—k off! 

If you’re in North America or any tipping country, yes you’re an arsehole if you leave something under 10%, unless the service was awfully rude.  At the same time, people that just say well it’s supposed to be 20% now, actually 25% is easier to calculate, they work hard for it….next thing you know every waitress thinks less than 30% is a disappointment….That’s also very wrong, a gig like that is not supposed to pay for your new Lexus, but many feel it should

The new gig economy of Uber and the food ones like Eats and DoorDash, pay so little to the driver, it’s 3rd world poverty wages ! So these people should be tipped, $5+, we are not in 1995 anymore, $2 is nothing. But you have some evil, entitled people out there, who TIP BAIT….The driver accepts an order nobody else will take, because of mileage/pay, after it’s completed the customer removes the tip, so the poor guy who though he was getting $15 or so might end up with $3.75….HOW THIS IS REPEATEDLY ALLOWED , I don’t know

Look, if people especially new immigrants, didn’t accept these shitty jobs , the gig companies would be forced to pay more, but unfortunately a sucker is born every day who needs that $4 for an hour of work AND wear/tear….revenue is not the same as income

Same as the restaurants, prices and wages should be clear, not where an employee who is not tipped can’t make a living

Sysrem is f—ked, it’s only getting worse, the rich get richer….Bring me back to the 80’s

[Stillearly]

If service charge is included I don't tip any extra , I usually pay my card or QR to make it easier 

if no service charge I usually tip around 10% depending on the small notes I have , but last night a bill for two was 1,750 Baht , we just threw in 1k each and left the tip , so that was about 14% , but waitresses were good so no problem 

 

Edited December 1, 2025 by Stillearly

[Lemondropkid]

Just ate in Kub Kao Kub Pla.

The food was fabulous but they added 10% service and 7% VAT to the menu prices. Never leave a tip now in Thailand when the prices are ++

I definitley tip less day in day out than when I moved here a couple of years back. Living in a suburb as opposed to a tourist  ghetto you are away from places where it's expected to tip I feel.

On the contrary at Xmas I will give a good  cash tip to my two condo security guys, the technician and the house keeper who are great people + several other Thais I'll give cash/presents (teachers, some gym staff)

Edited December 1, 2025 by Lemondropkid

[coxyhog]

I usually tip when in Thailand,especially in the places I visit often,like the Monkey Bar & Chequers.I'll occasionally buy the staff a round of drinks in those places as well,they actually have a drink not an LD.

[Yesitisdakid]

I've always tipped an excess when the service has been good comes from being in hospitality I guess. Many years ago we were staying at the imperial Palace hotel in Las Vegas. We checked in I took a quick shower I couldn't believe the towels they were amazing huge really nice towels. The next day when the housekeeper came up to do the room Spanish girl very nice I told her is there any place around I can buy towels like these that you provide for the guests. She said she will see well the next day she shows up at the door with five of these big heavy brand new towels. Well she got a nice $50 tip. I guess you could say I bought the towels I didn't tip her either way good for me good for her. 

The very same trip we went into Coca-Cola world as you go in you get a a paper diner's cap like the people that worked in the diners used to wear and it said on it Coca-Cola world Las Vegas. At the time back then I was heavy into selling on eBay. I told my Filipino wife that these things these paper hats would sell like crazy because Coca-Cola collectors buy anything and everything connected with the product. She mentioned to the lady given the hats out who was also from the Philippines if there was a way that we could buy some as they give everybody one but I was hoping to get 10 or 15 of them to resell. She said she'd see what she could do a few minutes later she found us on the tour and handed us a box of 50 she got a nice $10 tip. That was a good investment as I was able to sell those hats in less than 2 weeks on eBay for between $3 and $12 so in some cases it's looked at as a tip in other cases such as mine it was an investment

[Golfingboy]

On 12/1/2025 at 4:49 AM, Lemondropkid said:

Just ate in Kub Kao Kub Pla.

The food was fabulous but they added 10% service and 7% VAT to the menu prices. Never leave a tip now in Thailand when the prices are ++

I definitley tip less day in day out than when I moved here a couple of years back. Living in a suburb as opposed to a tourist  ghetto you are away from places where it's expected to tip I feel.

On the contrary at Xmas I will give a good  cash tip to my two condo security guys, the technician and the house keeper who are great people + several other Thais I'll give cash/presents (teachers, some gym staff)

We have similar standards, agree with 100% of what you said. Way back in 2009 a fellow Canuck I met at Secrets, ran into me 2 weeks later in Chiang Mai & ended up subletting his condo to me. Sharp dude, younger than me but had already written the bar, was on extended break after some volunteer work in Singapore, might as well have some fun before starting his legal career. Funny part, he told me he was too tired/drunk after barfining Golf and another girl for a threesome….apparently they kept insisting they “earn their pay” and didn’t want Secrets customers to think they were “poor performers”..He just laughed & said “here’s your $$$, my fault, don’t worry”

Anyway, as a Canadian who loves to tip , he was the person who informed me about the 17%, and how there is no shame in leaving ZERO TIP at places that add it. Of course, I was also taught if you want to reward a waitress who was nice to you(places without the 17%) stick it right in their hand, don’t tip the business/bar…..Good advice

And I totally understand expats living there full time tipping less, it’s not holiday mode, you don’t want to throw $$$ around. But there are limits to being frugal . What pissed me off most, personally in all my time there , was an outdoor foot massage spot next to the bars on Loi Kroh. Flame me all you want, but 60 f— king BAHT for 30 minutes of a lady slaving over your feet, even using the bamboo pencil. If you cannot round up to 100 THB, for that service….I am sorry, that’s being a tight arse…Obviously not 60 THB 15 years later, but my point remains, these ladies work so hard

Edited December 3, 2025 by Golfingboy

[Lemondropkid]

42 minutes ago, Golfingboy said:

Flame me all you want, but 60 f— king BAHT for 30 minutes of a lady slaving over your feet, even using the bamboo pencil. If you cannot round up to 100 THB, for that service….I am sorry, that’s being a tight arse…Obviously not 60 THB 15 years later, but my point remains, these ladies work so hard

I don't disagree.

Hence at Xmas I will tip both security guards my condo, the maintanance guy and the housekeeper. These guys work incredibly hard day in day out, and remarkably remain cheerful 99% of the time. I'll also give them the odd treat during the year.

If I find a long distance cab driver who actually drives safely rather than playing his phone in 3 lane traffic he gets tip. 

But day in day out where I am I don't tip and it's not expected. I'm a local resident.  I'll be polite and in my neighbourhood restaurants/stalls order in Thai, and my that for me is enough.  

The only people I hand cash to locally, are a blind mor lam singer, and an eldery lady with a huge growth on the side of her head, who late at night sells the leftover floral offerings that people buy in the morning when alms giving( I'd be stunned if she wasn't given them for free)

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Lemondropkid

[Glasseye]

 

I tip my ass off..... And, I sure don't give a fcuk what anyone may think about it.

[Golfingboy]

3 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

I don't disagree.

If I find a long distance cab driver who actually drives safely rather than playing his phone in 3 lane traffic he gets tip. 

 

 

 

I have often stated how horrible of a company UBER is, well unless you’re the CEO or a shareholder lately. Started off as a better option to get a ride and taking 15% from Black car drivers….Now it’s a race to the bottom, markets flooded with immigrants who don’t mind doing a $4 ride for 8 miles and 20 extra minutes waiting around

If I was getting 50 cents a mile, I wouldn’t be offering free snacks and water to customers who probably won’t tip me. Uber has gotten them used to getting too much for nothing

That being said, with all the articles I read about drivers being fired for made up reasons , losing their income source, it pisses me off. But OTOH, there is zero excuse for not driving safely, especially in the developed world. I hear many stories of drivers streaming football games or texting while driving , that is very unprofessional. And in Montreal, the few cabs I have taken are not only expensive as hell, they are just rude too, like they’re doing me a favour for taking $70 for less than 20Km.

Thinking of getting back at it now, I’d get a clientele for sure , not tough to have regulars when that’s your “competition “

 

[Golfingboy]

8 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

I tip my ass off..... And, I sure don't give a fcuk what anyone may think about it.

You still ever have a few on Loi Kroh these days , Brad ? How’s the scene ?

[Glasseye]

6 minutes ago, Golfingboy said:

You still ever have a few on Loi Kroh these days , Brad ? How’s the scene ?

 

Haven't been there in months.

 

I would reckon pretty much the same same.... Except maybe a few more weed shops.

[Golfingboy]

30 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

 

Haven't been there in months.

 

I would reckon pretty much the same same.... Except maybe a few more weed shops.

There goes the neighborhood! Never seen the appeal, I understand it helps with pain etc …And I knew some bad people in Vancouver, few puffs and I swear I was seeing clouds 3 hours later driving to the hotel….never again

What I didn’t like way back when I stayed there, the limited scene spoiled the girls’ expectations. I distinctly remember a new British pal paying for his beer at #1 Bar. The girl opens the booklet and says “140 baht, and you leave me 140 baht, thanks so much ! “ Those ladies, even the ones who weren’t even a 4/10 looks wise, thought that bar should pay like Wall Street ! I imagine the tipping expectations got much worse now

Anyway, it probably changed owners by now, but the smaller place one door down was where I met my sweetheart. When I returned in 2012, the lady who owned it was with a new Thai BF, after having a baby with a Dutch guy, nicest dude I’ve ever met, 6’8 so you see him a mile away. He spoiled her rotten, but it’s never enough 

But even with the limited options, it’s obvious I loved it there , great times . And not driving, you get in shape, I slowly went from 278-235 in 7 months, pissed most nights too. But my flight left February 20, with a couple weeks in Pattaya first , so I never saw the smoky season…that’s an issue

[john luke]

How much should diners tip? Head chef Brayden Davies from The Box Tree in West Yorkshire tells the Money team what he thinks is fair, his favourite budget recipe and whether Aussie or British food wins in our monthly Cheap Eats feature.
 

The percentage tip I think should be standard is 12.5%... It's fair for both the guest and the team. Service is hard work and a small tip goes a long way in showing respect for that effort.

 

 

Per Sky News Money.

[Yessongs]

On 12/1/2025 at 4:49 PM, Lemondropkid said:

Just ate in Kub Kao Kub Pla.

The food was fabulous but they added 10% service and 7% VAT to the menu prices. Never leave a tip now in Thailand when the prices are ++

I definitley tip less day in day out than when I moved here a couple of years back. Living in a suburb as opposed to a tourist  ghetto you are away from places where it's expected to tip I feel.

On the contrary at Xmas I will give a good  cash tip to my two condo security guys, the technician and the house keeper who are great people + several other Thais I'll give cash/presents (teachers, some gym staff)

Agree with your assessment here LD, wifey and I eat at Kub Kao quite often but...like yourself, it is hard to leave any amount of tip on top of a 17% surcharge. Always feel bad a bit, the servers are quite nice and personable. 

Same at Cheesecake Factory on our visit last week.....when wifey was in the restroom, our really cute server came over to me and was asking me about how I like living in Thailand, have I ever been to any concerts here, sporting events etc. She also told me she was going to Chulalongkorn College here and was graduating in 2027 with her Bachelor's in Finance...kind of tuggs at my heart strings....know full well when you are a struggling college student, any amount of money helps. 

I do not mind tipping when appropiate at all....