The Change Tray & Tipping?

[ASIA_SEXPAT]

I have just come to live in Pattaya after many years in The Philippines. I'm still getting used to the cultural differences.

 

In most cases when I eat here in a restaurant the waitress will bring my change on a change tray and then stand there waiting for me to do something. I'm finding this to be annoying, because I might be having a conversation or texting or writing an email and they are disturbing me.

 

I like to count the money when I'm ready. Check it against the receipt, then decide how much tip to give. I find it hard to do this while the waitress is standing next to me.

 

It occurred to me that maybe they're waiting for me to count the change and verify it's correct, so today I pulled the notes off the tray to count them and in the process I dropped three 1 baht coins onto it. The waitress assumed this was her tip, so she took the tray and walked away.

 

Remembering that I'm an expat, not a tourist.. how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

 

 

 

 

[rhodie]

...

Remembering that I'm an expat, not a tourist.. how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

20 baht seems about right to me.

[GorGuy RIP]

20 baht

[Taeng Mo]

I have just come to live in Pattaya after many years in The Philippines. I'm still getting used to the cultural differences.

 

In most cases when I eat here in a restaurant the waitress will bring my change on a change tray and then stand there waiting for me to do something. I'm finding this to be annoying, because I might be having a conversation or texting or writing an email and they are disturbing me.

 

I like to count the money when I'm ready. Check it against the receipt, then decide how much tip to give. I find it hard to do this while the waitress is standing next to me.

 

It occurred to me that maybe they're waiting for me to count the change and verify it's correct, so today I pulled the notes off the tray to count them and in the process I dropped three 1 baht coins onto it. The waitress assumed this was her tip, so she took the tray and walked away.

 

Remembering that I'm an expat, not a tourist.. how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

Sounds all normal.

Ordinary Thai Folks like to check the bill while the waitress stands there. This can take a while if they are a big party.

When they are satisfied that the correct charge has been made, they usually tip the coin change.

[LeyteJim]

Getting the tip right is always a dilemma when traveling.   Years ago on my first trip to the Philippines I took an old Filipina friend out to dinner.    When leaving I tossed a 20% tip on the table.  She told me that I was overtipping and dragged me back to the restaurants window and pointed inside.   The four waitresses were holding hands and dancing around the table.   She said see, you are ruining the economy.

 

Since then I realize that overtipping can be as discourteous as under tipping plus it helps to ruin the economy for the rest of the tourists.

[Thai18]

I am a cheap Charlie......in Philippines or in Thailand I never tip...I keep all the change , including the small coins.

 

I never buy lady drinks either...to each his own...hahahaha

[eanto]

For a farang, anything less than 10 baht is an insult.  However, tipping is a nasty habit inherited from the USA!

[Ru4Real]

For a farang, anything less than 10 baht is an insult.  However, tipping is a nasty habit inherited from the USA!

 

Depends where you are really, I've had girls in Sg, KL and Bkk tell me off for tipping/over tipping in some places and in all three places have actually had them take the tip out of the wallet and give me it back as "You have already tipped as it's built into the bill". The service charge kinda pisses me off as I always forget it's in there already .... apart from one time when I went to Sydney and noticed that the wankers had a 10% surcharge at weekends! They got the exact money on the bill. 

 

I can see why it's an American standard, given the wages of people in hospitality (here's a novel concept, pay decent wages!) but tipping really should be for service over and above expected.

[eanto]

I'm content to leave 10 baht when I'm on my own but I'm normally with my girl so it's 20 baht.  If I'm in my mates sports bar for many hours playing free pool games, matches or comps I'll leave a much bigger tip.  You only have to make eye contact with the girls serving and they'll rush a cold one straight over to you.  Does that happen in the UK? 55

[statue]

I have just come to live in Pattaya after many years in The Philippines. I'm still getting used to the cultural differences.

 

In most cases when I eat here in a restaurant the waitress will bring my change on a change tray and then stand there waiting for me to do something. I'm finding this to be annoying, because I might be having a conversation or texting or writing an email and they are disturbing me.

 

I like to count the money when I'm ready. Check it against the receipt, then decide how much tip to give. I find it hard to do this while the waitress is standing next to me.

 

It occurred to me that maybe they're waiting for me to count the change and verify it's correct, so today I pulled the notes off the tray to count them and in the process I dropped three 1 baht coins onto it. The waitress assumed this was her tip, so she took the tray and walked away.

 

Remembering that I'm an expat, not a tourist.. how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

just returned from pattaya 2 service girls tried to short change us by 500b we quizzed one in Lady Love gogo she disappeared round the corner gave us the 500b back it had been in her pocket so beware i tried to spot the manager who ive met before but he wasnt there

[Taeng Mo]

Depends where you are really, I've had girls in Sg, KL and Bkk tell me off for tipping/over tipping in some places and in all three places have actually had them take the tip out of the wallet and give me it back as "You have already tipped as it's built into the bill". The service charge kinda pisses me off as I always forget it's in there already .... apart from one time when I went to Sydney and noticed that the wankers had a 10% surcharge at weekends! They got the exact money on the bill. 

 

I can see why it's an American standard, given the wages of people in hospitality (here's a novel concept, pay decent wages!) but tipping really should be for service over and above expected.

+1

So easy in Oz.

But we've had this out so many times on the Forum.

[Faro]

Many restaurants even in Central Festival do not expect tips, they have a glass there and it is mentioned tips, so up to u to give or not. The real tipping in Thailand as I learned is to leave the coins behind, but some restaurant misuse it, the way they do it instead of returning a twenty note for example they put a 10 Baht and two five baht, so you just leave the coins. In this case you may just had a bill for 30 baht and not knowing you tips 20 to 40 Baht. Usually I give 5 to 10 percent depend on where I am.

[Little Evil]

Being a typical over-tipping American, I know that I'm more likely to leave stupid-large tip where not required to. Yes, it's a broken system in America, but that's what we are used to having back home. That being said, I tend to try to take myself out of the equation when in LoS by having the girl I'm with handle the tip. I push the tray over to her and ask her to sort the tip and give me the change. Girls will typically be fair to stingy with the tip, as they most likely want you to save money for them. That way, I don't look like a cheap asshole if what is left is considered low for a farrang. If the girl is a bit too caviler with my money, then I consider it like a tax for using her services as a intermediary and don't ask her to do it again. Just make sure the waitress sees you do this in front of her. Otherwise, it is pointless. Also, for obvious reasons, this doesn't work in scenarios where you're at the bar/restaurant where your girl works. 

[cpgio]

Tipping here in the U.S. can be quite complicated based on what kind of place you are at, if it is a meal or just drinks...Some people certainly abuse it both the tipper & the receiver. General rule here is 15-20% but I base it more on the service. Just because the bill is high doesn't mean you should tip them high if the service wasn't very good & conversely if the bill is small but exceptional service then they deserve a great tip. What kills me here in the U.S. is when you go into a shop where there is a counter & basically there is not a lot of work done-just you ordering a coffee etc & they hand it over & are expecting a tip-I mean what did they do to deserve a tip?? I usually never tip in that scenario-of course unless the girl is very hot then you are tipping for her cuteness!!!

[kash buc]

I usually scoop the coins up for myself and then put a 20B note or more depending on the size of the bill. I like to have the 10B & 5B coins for the baht bus and restrooms.

[misteregg]

I have just come to live in Pattaya after many years in The Philippines. I'm still getting used to the cultural differences.

 

In most cases when I eat here in a restaurant the waitress will bring my change on a change tray and then stand there waiting for me to do something. I'm finding this to be annoying, because I might be having a conversation or texting or writing an email and they are disturbing me.

 

I like to count the money when I'm ready. Check it against the receipt, then decide how much tip to give. I find it hard to do this while the waitress is standing next to me.

 

It occurred to me that maybe they're waiting for me to count the change and verify it's correct, so today I pulled the notes off the tray to count them and in the process I dropped three 1 baht coins onto it. The waitress assumed this was her tip, so she took the tray and walked away.

 

Remembering that I'm an expat, not a tourist.. how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

This is what happens when you have a smartphone and try to multitask. Try leaving home without your phone one day and see how much you miss in those quiet periods. Look around at life as it passes you by.

May I ask why you decided to leave the Phillapines? Not as good at Pattaya ?

 

 

 

( notice how I manage to get in two of my pet hates into one answer here, smartphones and Philly, I'm good at this)

 

Phil 

[yobbo]

I usually scoop the coins up for myself and then put a 20B note or more depending on the size of the bill. I like to have the 10B & 5B coins for the baht bus and restrooms.

 

+1

 

Exactly what I do.

[Micky2]

20 baht seems about right to me.

 

 

 how much do most of you expats tip for a meal for two people totaling 3-400 baht? In Philippines the standard is 20 pesos everywhere, unless its a high end place and the service was exceptional. If you only had one beer then 10 pesos is enough. 

 

 

20 baht

 

 

Yesterday afternoon I met up up with a woman who had a brief career in a Aussie type bar and restaurant. Now she works at a place where up market locals eat and drink. Many of them have cushy local government job, and are apparently not short of ready cash. She said that whereas foreigners leave the coins and maybe a green note or two, the locals leave a few red ones.

 

The previous evening she had picked up 800 baht in tips, and the one before it was 900 baht. Now her boss (a katoey, I gather) is encouraging her to find her singing mojo to warble along with the customers. He reckons she will make even more in tips…. and of course he will sell another bottle or two of whiskey.

[FROST MEDIC999]

Yesterday afternoon I met up up with a woman who had a brief career in a Aussie type bar and restaurant. Now she works at a place where up market locals eat and drink. Many of them have cushy local government job, and are apparently not short of ready cash. She said that whereas foreigners leave the coins and maybe a green note or two, the locals leave a few red ones.

 

The previous evening she had picked up 800 baht in tips, and the one before it was 900 baht. Now her boss (a katoey, I gather) is encouraging her to find her singing mojo to warble along with the customers. He reckons she will make even more in tips…. and of course he will sell another bottle or two of whiskey.

Sounds like her Boss is a kamoy also 5555

[ASIA_SEXPAT]

This is what happens when you have a smartphone and try to multitask. Try leaving home without your phone one day and see how much you miss in those quiet periods. Look around at life as it passes you by.

May I ask why you decided to leave the Phillapines? Not as good at Pattaya ?

 

 

 

( notice how I manage to get in two of my pet hates into one answer here, smartphones and Philly, I'm good at this)

 

Phil 

 

Leave home without the smart phone? Are you insane? LOL.. what if I have an urgent facebook status update I need to post? No just joking I actually use it for business..

 

Philippines is a shit hole compared to Pattaya. I lived in Angeles City and if you hadn't heard the authorities with the assistance of IJM and others are raiding and closing all the bars. It was tolerable when they were just focusing on the big tourist places, but when they turned on the small sleazy Soi6 type bars it was time to leave.

 

On top of all the bar raids the corruption there is out of control. You really have to be careful and keep a low profile because the corrupt police and other government employees in positions of authority really are out to get you. I lived there for 4 years and visited as a tourist for ten years before that, so I was no newbie. Most of my friends have had some dealing with the police where money was extorted from them. And no, I'm not friends with criminal types..

[bar stool]

Yesterday afternoon I met up up with a woman who had a brief career in a Aussie type bar and restaurant. Now she works at a place where up market locals eat and drink. Many of them have cushy local government job, and are apparently not short of ready cash. She said that whereas foreigners leave the coins and maybe a green note or two, the locals leave a few red ones.

 

The previous evening she had picked up 800 baht in tips, and the one before it was 900 baht. Now her boss (a katoey, I gather) is encouraging her to find her singing mojo to warble along with the customers. He reckons she will make even more in tips…. and of course he will sell another bottle or two of whiskey.

At my barber’s I pay 80 baht for a haircut and tip them 20 baht, which most farangs seem to do.

Last time I went there, all other customers were Thais.

I secretly looked when those Thais paid and none of them tipped.

[max1970]

Not sure if that applies to restaurants as well. What I've figured is that if you leave your tip in the change tray then that goes into a pot which is shared among all employees. If you want to tip the waitress personally you have to hand it over to her, i.e. put it into her hand.

 

I usually tip 10% or round it up, like from 80 to 100 when getting a hair cut. If I don't like the service I don't tip at all.

[Micky2]

At my barber’s I pay 80 baht for a haircut and tip them 20 baht, which most farangs seem to do.

Last time I went there, all other customers were Thais.

I secretly looked when those Thais paid and none of them tipped.

 

Likewise, 80 to 100 baht at places where I get a haircut. I usually leave a 20 baht tip, sometimes 40 or 50 if i feel generous…. sometimes none at all if I have no green or blue notes.

 

Thai customers…… some do tip quite well, and some don't at all.

 

A couple of weeks ago about a dozen of us went out for a meal on a voucher a mate's boss had given him. The bill came to a bit over 6,000 baht. We farang fella's each tossed in a 100 baht tip, to the glares of the Issan and Southern women in the party. One pointed out that there was already a 10% service charge on the bill. We were happy with the service, and no doubt the staff were happy with the 1,100 baht or more that came their way in tips and service charge.

 

At another place I go to a couple of times a month, the waitress decides what she needs for some expense or another, tells me and takes it from the change. I also leave a tip on the tray, usually the coins and a green note or two. It may seem she is taking liberties, but as long as the service is OK and she doesn't take the piss, I am OK with it.

 

On the other hand, there are places where I seldom or never tip, and there have been places where I have told them they are not getting a tip because the service was poor, sometimes to the mirth of the boss.

 

There really is no hard and fast rule. Tip as much as you feel comfortable with, or don't tip at all; it's up to you.

 

 

Not sure if that applies to restaurants as well. What I've figured is that if you leave your tip in the change tray then that goes into a pot which is shared among all employees. If you want to tip the waitress personally you have to hand it over to her, i.e. put it into her hand.

 

I usually tip 10% or round it up, like from 80 to 100 when getting a hair cut. If I don't like the service I don't tip at all.

 

Yes, the "tip meur" (tip to the hand) is a local Thai custom. Anything left on the tray, in the folder, or on the bar is pooled. Anything given directly to the staff is for the one it is given to. At a place I used to stop by sometimes used to always proffer her pert cleavage for the "tip to the hand." 

 

"Do you want me to fondle your tiits?" I asked.

 

"No", aha said, "I just want everybody to see that the money doesn't touch the bar". 

[Tuna58]

20 baht, per person at the table. Does not really matter the size of the bill. I have been given grief from Thais for leaving a tip at all.

Tough when a service charge is added to the bill because I have been told the staff do not get any of this. Just a way for the owners

to increase profits.

[tweedle-dee]

i never tip and why should i ??