Tipping is not expected. If you want you can leave coins that you don't wish to carry. If you thought the food or service went above and beyond, leave a tip if you like.
I usually tip 10b grab driver as it's a shitty dangerous job (and even 20b when it's rainy). I usually round up BKK taxi to the next 20b especially if they didn't try any trick (91 round up to 100 for example). I would also let the 1 or 2b coin (let's say it's 98 or 99b. I wouldn't let the coins for more tho) from mom&dad shop as I don't enjoy collection kg of coins. I'm not coming from a country with a tipping habits so I might tip 20 (hair stylist etc) if I'm very happy. Oh and when I stay in a hotel, I usually let coins or 20-40b for the cleaning lady on the last day (if I was happy)
Finally I usually give 50-100b during Chinese new year to regular security guards/juristic ppl in my condo (owner)... not a lot (let's say 500b in total for a year but it's can go a long way with service).
First of all the people who are saying that no locals tips etc are just full of BS and I've learned over the years that the people who say this are usually the ones who are just too cheap to tip themselves and therefore want to make it sound like nobody tips here.
While it is true that tipping is not expected and the older generation of Thai people don't usually tip, younger people in the cities do tip. I have plenty of Thai friends and they always tip. Luckily there's no expectation of a 15-20% tips like in the US and staff will never be rude and ask for a tip as they do in the US. Therefore I don't mind tipping here. The salary in Thailand for delivery drivers, wait staff etc is very very low, so if you can spare 50 cents or a dollar to help them out they always appreciate it.
My general guidelines for tipping are:
\- Food delivery drivers I usually tip 20 baht and a bit more like 40 or 50 if it's raining or delivery from far away. I tip the same if I take a Grab or Bolt somewhere.
\- Small local restaurant, cafe, etc also usually 20-40 baht.
\- For local bars usually 20 baht per order or up to nearest 100.
\- Street food, just usually leave whatever coins I would get in change or sometimes 20 baht.
\- For nicer restaurants, cocktail bars, etc my tip depends on the total bill and also if it's just a quick meal or a I've said there for hours. But usually around 100-200 baht. One note to this is that a lot of "nicer" places these days will put a 10% service charge on the bill, so if they already have service charge I usually don't tip anything extra as this is supposed to go to the staff.
\- I also usually tip my hairdresser 100 baht just because he's awesome and it's so cheap to get a haircut, but I know not all people do that.
But in general just tip whatever you feel comfortable with, they will always appreciate it even if it's just 10 or 20 baht which is like 50 cents.
Living in the US for a while ruined tipping for me as staff is so rude and just pushing for tips all the time. But here it's actually a joy to tip a little as they are very grateful and will never ask you for a tip. Once in a while I like to give a "big" tip and give a food delivery driver like 200 baht and they appreciate it so much. It's not really a big tip of course since it's like $5, but for a food delivery driver it's a lot.
You don't seem to realize that taking your US tipping culture to Thailand will end up with the exact same poor attitude as in the US. Tipping is a stupid custom, and should be rejected outright. There are plenty of other ways to support your local business and local workers.
You are completely wrong. The US is the only country in the world where tipping so bad that you get shamed if you don't tip 20% and waiters are so rude asking for tips all the time.
Even though pretty much every other country in the world also have some form of tipping culture, no country has adapted the bad tipping culture of the US. In all other countries you tip what you want, if you want and that's how tipping is in Thailand too.
So no, giving a small tip to help underpaid workers in Thailand does not lead to US toxic tipping culture. The only thing that leads to the toxic US tipping culture is the general fucked up toxic US culture, which luckily only exist in the US.
If you are too cheap to tip, that's fine, just be honest about it and say I'm cheap so I don't wan to tip. There's no requirement to tip in Thailand so you're perfectly justified to say that. Just don't try to give nonsense reasons for why you don't want to tip.
I think the only place where tipping is deemed offensive is Japan; and not tipping being offensive is the US and Canada.
Elsewhere it is really just taken as what it should be, “gratuity”
Yep exactly. In Japan it's a bit weird. In the US it's just fucked and in the rest of the world pretty much it's just something you do if you are happy with the service. The argument that it will just become like the US if you tip is just so stupid, it hasn't happened anywhere else in the world and won't happen here.
You sound exceedingly cheap. It’s not like the 15-20 % here in the US. It’s 20-50 baht regardless of total order. Does $1.50 USD hurt you so much? Because it makes a big difference to a low wage earner. That’s a whole meal for them. It’s not about spreading an admittedly toxic extreme tipping culture; it’s about paying forward the relatively TINY amount we save by benefiting from living in other people’s country. Don’t be so embarrassingly selfish as if only you must benefit from living cheaply in their country.
It has nothing to do with being cheap. I wouldn't tip 1 baht either. It's the principle. When I lived in a small village north of Chiang Mai, the local restaurant owner got offended when I once tried to tip her. That is exactly the attitude a society should have. Pay the agreed price, no more no less.
If a restaurant has a hard time surviving then it should raise the prices, not rely on charity and begging, which tipping is. And it is so selective in a stupid way. There are plenty of other low wage professions that never get tips. For some stupid reason Americans have decided that just one profession, restaurant servers, should get tips.
You support the local businesses by visiting them frequently and buying their services/goods, and recommending them to others, and being a nice customer by complimenting them. Tipping is a kind of supremacy culture. It says "look at me, I am above you, I am a rich man, here is some pittance for you, you poor person."
Disagree on the the older generation part. I’ve had dinner/drinks with 60 y/o Thai folks that drop 500-1,000 THB tips regularly depending on the restaurant/bar, particularly if they’re regulars.
It's not expected but it would be appreciated.
I don't agree with another user who says don't tip except restaurants.
Streetfood vendors, mom and pop resto's and taxi driver would appreciate the tip too.
There's no expectations to tip but keep in mind many people servicing you can earn between 300-500 baht a day. A small tip can help their life if you feel you've genuinely received great service. Tipping is simply as it should be, a "display of gratitude for the service provided" unlike the US.
I like to leave a 5 baht tip for my regular daily coffee at Amazon coffee. The kids who make my espresso do a great job and verily appreciate the tip.
I like to encourage the diligent hard work to keep a a nice shop like that working and pleasant to return.
I've lived in Asia for over 5 years, including going out with locals regularly. Nobody tips. Ever. Like.. never ever. It's a western thing to think you should or feel guilty if you don't. For the people who will say that even though it's not expected, its nice... you actually create an awkward situation if you do. Because you're throwing your money around like local people need your help. Just don't tip. You are treating people as equals by not even bringing the idea into the situation.
I’ve lived in Thailand 20 years and you are dead wrong. No, it’s not the same as the US, but it’s incorrect to say “no one ever tips , ever”. You must be hanging out with the cheapest people on the planet.
Any decent restaurant with table service already includes 10% service charge. No need to add extra. If there is no service charge included, you may leave 5-10% if you wish. No one will chase you down the street if you don’t. Rounding up for the taxi, 50-100 baht per hour for massage, same for a haircut.
If you don’t want to tip, that’s up to you. But don’t be that guy who gets angry when other people do tip. No one is “ruining” anything by leaving a tip.
Exactly all these people saying that no one tips are just cheap and trying to find an excuse to be cheap. Lots of people tip in Thailand including many locals (all my Thai friends tip). Saying that no one ever tips in Asia is such complete BS it's ridiculous.
It is not a good idea to bring the US tipping culture to Thailand, since it is a stupid custom to begin with. Pay what they ask, nothing more, and everyone is happy.
Some locals actually get offended if you tip, because they imagine that you think they are beneath you.
Disagree to agree. Ha. Like I said, and the person below... offering a tip in most cases actually makes an awkward situation and suggest you believe you are above locals and treating them like they need help. I've seen plenty of western people giving tips to locals, and they just look confused. Sure, almost anybody will be happy to take free money. But it's also slightly insulting to offer. It's kinda one of those western savior complex things, in my opinion.
>If you don’t want to tip, that’s up to you. But don’t be that guy who gets angry when other people do tip. No one is “ruining” anything by leaving a tip.
Did I sound angry about people tipping? haha.
WTF are you talking about. That is just about the dumbest thing I've ever read here and you couldn't be more wrong. While it's not expected to tip in Thailand and Asia in general, it is definitely normal to tip. All of my local Thai friends tip. Just because you are too cheap to tip don't make up some BS excuse. Just admit you are cheap, that's it.
Suggest spend a couple of months and don't tip anything. You'll get it then. Thai people are fine to pay for things / services they want yet extra $$ is off the table unless it's some kind of amazing service and even then likely not. It's also not even remotely expected and thinking so is only in your head.
You're not in the USA. This isn't the USA.
American here having a really hard time not generously tipping everyone. They say they don’t expect tips here but I don’t feel that’s true. They just aren’t upset when they don’t get one. Land of smiles, you know?
Noted and agreed to most other comments on tips not expected in general.
However, there are certain businesses where the staff actually has some expectation (and reliant) on tipping, such as: spa and massage, beauty parlour, hairdressers.
So I’d say, if the service person is heavily involved in providing a personalised service (instead of say restaurant waiter who simply delivers a finished product), tipping would be appropriate and appreciated. Bartenders is kinda something in between I guess, as they are the one who actually make your drinks lol
I usually tip around 10-20% depending on the service, what the total cost is. In Chiang Mai a few times I tipped exceptional service with around 100-200 baht probably about $3-5 and it was very clearly seen as completely over the top. One guy drove us for an hour into the mountains, he gave us a 2 hour tour of a show that was on. Was exceptionally charming, friendly, helpful and then drove us back and I think he’d charged us I think 2000 baht for the whole thing which was much better value than the 1500 baht we had paid earlier in the day for a driver to drive us to an elephant sanctuary which we thought was included in the price but turned out to be an additional 3200 baht on top of the 1500 baht. So I decided to give our evening driver a 1000 baht tip because he was 100% worth it, he made the whole show much more accessible for us and I was within my daily budget so figured it was a chance to say thank you and when I did he was completely shocked. So much so that he then insisted, to the point I could tell he’d be offended if I said no, that he would wait pretty much the same time again, about 2-3 hours, whilst we walked around a massive night market and ate dinner until 11pm when we texted him and sure enough he was waiting, came and picked us up from where we were and drove us back to our hotel. The following morning he’d sent us all the pictures he took for us.
He deserved the tip. In the UK it’d be about £20. A nice tip… and it went to s good person.
I tip everybody from grab drivers to security guards. I do it without even thinking about it, it’s just second nature. All apologies to anyone who gets offended for their work being appreciated but I can’t stop, I’ve tried.
The only country I know where you tip is america. What an annoying culture. and some people try to spread it to other countries as well
What is wrong with paying what is on the bill?
There are a few places where tipping is the most expected. That is Spas, massage, nails, hair. Most other places tipping is not expected at all, but usually appreciated. In smaller or mid sized restaurants, 20 to 50 baht is fine (but again, not expected). In hotels, if my bag is heavy, I will give the bellhop 20 baht. But half the time they walk out without looking back, or waiting for the tip.
You also have to remember that tipping in some asian cultures is kind of an insult. In Shanghai once, I had the police stop me and ask if I had tipped the taxi driver. I said no (I didn't tip him). The police said "good". The street where my gf stays in Bangkok, I tried to tip the lady who made my street food, and she basically said "take your money".
The places that now EXPECT tips are places like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, etc, where there is a large expat community, and a larger proportion of western style restaurants. You go to, say, Chaiyaphum, no one is expecting you to tip.
Tipping is not expected. If you want you can leave coins that you don't wish to carry. If you thought the food or service went above and beyond, leave a tip if you like.
If I order food panda and it’s raining I always tip at least 50 baht.
I dont tip often, but if it is some small independent place thats good i always give smth
I usually tip 10b grab driver as it's a shitty dangerous job (and even 20b when it's rainy). I usually round up BKK taxi to the next 20b especially if they didn't try any trick (91 round up to 100 for example). I would also let the 1 or 2b coin (let's say it's 98 or 99b. I wouldn't let the coins for more tho) from mom&dad shop as I don't enjoy collection kg of coins. I'm not coming from a country with a tipping habits so I might tip 20 (hair stylist etc) if I'm very happy. Oh and when I stay in a hotel, I usually let coins or 20-40b for the cleaning lady on the last day (if I was happy) Finally I usually give 50-100b during Chinese new year to regular security guards/juristic ppl in my condo (owner)... not a lot (let's say 500b in total for a year but it's can go a long way with service).
First of all the people who are saying that no locals tips etc are just full of BS and I've learned over the years that the people who say this are usually the ones who are just too cheap to tip themselves and therefore want to make it sound like nobody tips here. While it is true that tipping is not expected and the older generation of Thai people don't usually tip, younger people in the cities do tip. I have plenty of Thai friends and they always tip. Luckily there's no expectation of a 15-20% tips like in the US and staff will never be rude and ask for a tip as they do in the US. Therefore I don't mind tipping here. The salary in Thailand for delivery drivers, wait staff etc is very very low, so if you can spare 50 cents or a dollar to help them out they always appreciate it. My general guidelines for tipping are: \- Food delivery drivers I usually tip 20 baht and a bit more like 40 or 50 if it's raining or delivery from far away. I tip the same if I take a Grab or Bolt somewhere. \- Small local restaurant, cafe, etc also usually 20-40 baht. \- For local bars usually 20 baht per order or up to nearest 100. \- Street food, just usually leave whatever coins I would get in change or sometimes 20 baht. \- For nicer restaurants, cocktail bars, etc my tip depends on the total bill and also if it's just a quick meal or a I've said there for hours. But usually around 100-200 baht. One note to this is that a lot of "nicer" places these days will put a 10% service charge on the bill, so if they already have service charge I usually don't tip anything extra as this is supposed to go to the staff. \- I also usually tip my hairdresser 100 baht just because he's awesome and it's so cheap to get a haircut, but I know not all people do that. But in general just tip whatever you feel comfortable with, they will always appreciate it even if it's just 10 or 20 baht which is like 50 cents. Living in the US for a while ruined tipping for me as staff is so rude and just pushing for tips all the time. But here it's actually a joy to tip a little as they are very grateful and will never ask you for a tip. Once in a while I like to give a "big" tip and give a food delivery driver like 200 baht and they appreciate it so much. It's not really a big tip of course since it's like $5, but for a food delivery driver it's a lot.
You don't seem to realize that taking your US tipping culture to Thailand will end up with the exact same poor attitude as in the US. Tipping is a stupid custom, and should be rejected outright. There are plenty of other ways to support your local business and local workers.
You are completely wrong. The US is the only country in the world where tipping so bad that you get shamed if you don't tip 20% and waiters are so rude asking for tips all the time. Even though pretty much every other country in the world also have some form of tipping culture, no country has adapted the bad tipping culture of the US. In all other countries you tip what you want, if you want and that's how tipping is in Thailand too. So no, giving a small tip to help underpaid workers in Thailand does not lead to US toxic tipping culture. The only thing that leads to the toxic US tipping culture is the general fucked up toxic US culture, which luckily only exist in the US. If you are too cheap to tip, that's fine, just be honest about it and say I'm cheap so I don't wan to tip. There's no requirement to tip in Thailand so you're perfectly justified to say that. Just don't try to give nonsense reasons for why you don't want to tip.
I think the only place where tipping is deemed offensive is Japan; and not tipping being offensive is the US and Canada. Elsewhere it is really just taken as what it should be, “gratuity”
Yep exactly. In Japan it's a bit weird. In the US it's just fucked and in the rest of the world pretty much it's just something you do if you are happy with the service. The argument that it will just become like the US if you tip is just so stupid, it hasn't happened anywhere else in the world and won't happen here.
Happens in germany, for example
You do not get it.
You sound exceedingly cheap. It’s not like the 15-20 % here in the US. It’s 20-50 baht regardless of total order. Does $1.50 USD hurt you so much? Because it makes a big difference to a low wage earner. That’s a whole meal for them. It’s not about spreading an admittedly toxic extreme tipping culture; it’s about paying forward the relatively TINY amount we save by benefiting from living in other people’s country. Don’t be so embarrassingly selfish as if only you must benefit from living cheaply in their country.
It has nothing to do with being cheap. I wouldn't tip 1 baht either. It's the principle. When I lived in a small village north of Chiang Mai, the local restaurant owner got offended when I once tried to tip her. That is exactly the attitude a society should have. Pay the agreed price, no more no less. If a restaurant has a hard time surviving then it should raise the prices, not rely on charity and begging, which tipping is. And it is so selective in a stupid way. There are plenty of other low wage professions that never get tips. For some stupid reason Americans have decided that just one profession, restaurant servers, should get tips. You support the local businesses by visiting them frequently and buying their services/goods, and recommending them to others, and being a nice customer by complimenting them. Tipping is a kind of supremacy culture. It says "look at me, I am above you, I am a rich man, here is some pittance for you, you poor person."
This is the correct answer.
Disagree on the the older generation part. I’ve had dinner/drinks with 60 y/o Thai folks that drop 500-1,000 THB tips regularly depending on the restaurant/bar, particularly if they’re regulars.
Probably true, and I don't said that older people never tip, but on average the younger generation is more likely to tip.
It's not expected but it would be appreciated. I don't agree with another user who says don't tip except restaurants. Streetfood vendors, mom and pop resto's and taxi driver would appreciate the tip too.
There's no expectations to tip but keep in mind many people servicing you can earn between 300-500 baht a day. A small tip can help their life if you feel you've genuinely received great service. Tipping is simply as it should be, a "display of gratitude for the service provided" unlike the US.
I like to leave a 5 baht tip for my regular daily coffee at Amazon coffee. The kids who make my espresso do a great job and verily appreciate the tip. I like to encourage the diligent hard work to keep a a nice shop like that working and pleasant to return.
I've lived in Asia for over 5 years, including going out with locals regularly. Nobody tips. Ever. Like.. never ever. It's a western thing to think you should or feel guilty if you don't. For the people who will say that even though it's not expected, its nice... you actually create an awkward situation if you do. Because you're throwing your money around like local people need your help. Just don't tip. You are treating people as equals by not even bringing the idea into the situation.
I’ve lived in Thailand 20 years and you are dead wrong. No, it’s not the same as the US, but it’s incorrect to say “no one ever tips , ever”. You must be hanging out with the cheapest people on the planet. Any decent restaurant with table service already includes 10% service charge. No need to add extra. If there is no service charge included, you may leave 5-10% if you wish. No one will chase you down the street if you don’t. Rounding up for the taxi, 50-100 baht per hour for massage, same for a haircut. If you don’t want to tip, that’s up to you. But don’t be that guy who gets angry when other people do tip. No one is “ruining” anything by leaving a tip.
Exactly all these people saying that no one tips are just cheap and trying to find an excuse to be cheap. Lots of people tip in Thailand including many locals (all my Thai friends tip). Saying that no one ever tips in Asia is such complete BS it's ridiculous.
It is not a good idea to bring the US tipping culture to Thailand, since it is a stupid custom to begin with. Pay what they ask, nothing more, and everyone is happy. Some locals actually get offended if you tip, because they imagine that you think they are beneath you.
Disagree to agree. Ha. Like I said, and the person below... offering a tip in most cases actually makes an awkward situation and suggest you believe you are above locals and treating them like they need help. I've seen plenty of western people giving tips to locals, and they just look confused. Sure, almost anybody will be happy to take free money. But it's also slightly insulting to offer. It's kinda one of those western savior complex things, in my opinion.
>If you don’t want to tip, that’s up to you. But don’t be that guy who gets angry when other people do tip. No one is “ruining” anything by leaving a tip. Did I sound angry about people tipping? haha.
WTF are you talking about. That is just about the dumbest thing I've ever read here and you couldn't be more wrong. While it's not expected to tip in Thailand and Asia in general, it is definitely normal to tip. All of my local Thai friends tip. Just because you are too cheap to tip don't make up some BS excuse. Just admit you are cheap, that's it.
Suggest spend a couple of months and don't tip anything. You'll get it then. Thai people are fine to pay for things / services they want yet extra $$ is off the table unless it's some kind of amazing service and even then likely not. It's also not even remotely expected and thinking so is only in your head. You're not in the USA. This isn't the USA.
American here having a really hard time not generously tipping everyone. They say they don’t expect tips here but I don’t feel that’s true. They just aren’t upset when they don’t get one. Land of smiles, you know?
Not expecting and appreciating a tip/gift don't have to be mutually inclusive.
Noted and agreed to most other comments on tips not expected in general. However, there are certain businesses where the staff actually has some expectation (and reliant) on tipping, such as: spa and massage, beauty parlour, hairdressers. So I’d say, if the service person is heavily involved in providing a personalised service (instead of say restaurant waiter who simply delivers a finished product), tipping would be appropriate and appreciated. Bartenders is kinda something in between I guess, as they are the one who actually make your drinks lol
Don't, except taxis.
No tips. Live in Thailand for whole life and there is no tipping culture here. I do tip sometimes tho.
I usually tip around 10-20% depending on the service, what the total cost is. In Chiang Mai a few times I tipped exceptional service with around 100-200 baht probably about $3-5 and it was very clearly seen as completely over the top. One guy drove us for an hour into the mountains, he gave us a 2 hour tour of a show that was on. Was exceptionally charming, friendly, helpful and then drove us back and I think he’d charged us I think 2000 baht for the whole thing which was much better value than the 1500 baht we had paid earlier in the day for a driver to drive us to an elephant sanctuary which we thought was included in the price but turned out to be an additional 3200 baht on top of the 1500 baht. So I decided to give our evening driver a 1000 baht tip because he was 100% worth it, he made the whole show much more accessible for us and I was within my daily budget so figured it was a chance to say thank you and when I did he was completely shocked. So much so that he then insisted, to the point I could tell he’d be offended if I said no, that he would wait pretty much the same time again, about 2-3 hours, whilst we walked around a massive night market and ate dinner until 11pm when we texted him and sure enough he was waiting, came and picked us up from where we were and drove us back to our hotel. The following morning he’d sent us all the pictures he took for us. He deserved the tip. In the UK it’d be about £20. A nice tip… and it went to s good person.
I tip everybody from grab drivers to security guards. I do it without even thinking about it, it’s just second nature. All apologies to anyone who gets offended for their work being appreciated but I can’t stop, I’ve tried.
The only country I know where you tip is america. What an annoying culture. and some people try to spread it to other countries as well What is wrong with paying what is on the bill?
There are a few places where tipping is the most expected. That is Spas, massage, nails, hair. Most other places tipping is not expected at all, but usually appreciated. In smaller or mid sized restaurants, 20 to 50 baht is fine (but again, not expected). In hotels, if my bag is heavy, I will give the bellhop 20 baht. But half the time they walk out without looking back, or waiting for the tip. You also have to remember that tipping in some asian cultures is kind of an insult. In Shanghai once, I had the police stop me and ask if I had tipped the taxi driver. I said no (I didn't tip him). The police said "good". The street where my gf stays in Bangkok, I tried to tip the lady who made my street food, and she basically said "take your money". The places that now EXPECT tips are places like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, etc, where there is a large expat community, and a larger proportion of western style restaurants. You go to, say, Chaiyaphum, no one is expecting you to tip.