Tipping traditions are always a fine line between respect for local culture and the desire not to offend the service. When it comes to Thailand, this line becomes particularly fine. But should you tip in this famous tourist country?
Tipping traditions vary in different parts of the world. In Japan and China, for example, it is not acceptable to leave money beyond the check. In Thailand, the situation is ambiguous. As a traveler who lives in the northern province of this Asian country told in his blog: “Thai staff usually do not wait for tips, although there are exceptions.” In other words, the tourist will not feel pressured by the staff about the need to leave a tip in a restaurant or cafe, as it happens in other popular resorts.
We will remind you that recently a scandal broke out at one of them when it became clear that the tip of 500 euros was no longer enough and the waiters began to demand 1000 euros each – read the details at this link.
However, for the sake of fairness, it is worth noting that in popular tourist locations in Thailand, where serving tourists is a daily activity, waiters often count on additional remuneration. But even there, as the blogger noted, it happens “not everywhere”. In some establishments, such as bars, where there are women of “not the most difficult behavior”, tips may even be asked for.
As for more respectable establishments, where the service is at the highest level, tips are not expected but will be gratefully accepted. In this regard, the traveler told a story about his retired American friends who left a tip at a Mexican restaurant in the northern province of Chiang Mai. After visiting the establishment, they went to the Thai waiter “for tea” at 500 baht (approximately UAH 525). But the waiter did not understand their gesture and ran to return the money they had left, thinking that the guests simply left it on the table. And this is not the only case of this kind, the author of the material noted.
The Thais themselves, as a rule, do not leave a tip. No one expects additional money for service in local cafes and restaurants, where they are constantly. In other words, whether or not to leave a tip in Thailand is at the discretion of the tourist himself: if he goes – well if he doesn’t – he won’t be able to “pull” money in popular restaurants, cafes, and hotels.