India tips

oxtiger · Mar 9th, 2009, 23:02

I have been in india for two weeks. One thing really annoyed me is the tips. No matter how much you pay, they never looks happy. When I first arrived here, I pay 300 Rs tips for three hours guide( the guide fee has been pay by the agency). He looks very unhappy. Actually I was quite happy with his service and feel I may pay too less. Then next day I pay 1000 RS tips for my driver (three days work), he still looks unhappy. After this, I decide that I will only pay 30RS. Then my next guide ( 1 hour work) was very rude for me. Does anybody know how much should I pay them?

paisleycamel · Mar 9th, 2009, 23:16

Dont tip them at all!! the price you are paying will more than include there services (they will not under sell themselves). If you dont feel happy giving them nothing then buy them a chai, or samosa or something! you may even make more of a friend that way. Its weird but i dont think they view money in the same way us western folk do!

Nick-H · Mar 9th, 2009, 23:54

The unhappy look is just trying it on for more please.

Both the tips you mention are pretty big, really. Three hours with a guide? I might give Rs50. If he is brilliant I might make it Rs100. Driver? Hmmm... drivers really can make or break a trip for tourists, especially if you are travelling alone, but that 1,000 was two to three times too much. Maybe even four.

Aishah · Mar 10th, 2009, 00:05

Yes, you are giving too much, I think too. As for that look - you will find it is very rare to get a 'thank you' or happy look from anyone when you give a 'gift' here. Just ignore it.
For a 3 days driver, I would give around 200 rupees. If a guide for one hour is rude, give nothing. A 3 hours guide, 50 - 100 rs. is enough.
I wouldn't adopt a 'no tips' policy however - that is just plain mean in my book. Most of these guides and drivers do not earn a lot of money, and tips help with their living expenses.

oxtiger · Mar 10th, 2009, 22:50

I also realized that I gave too much. When I arrived there, the people from travel agency keep told me that 200 Rs tips is for 3 hours guide. Then I gave it follow this rule. Good lesson to learn.

Colonel Blimp · Aug 5th, 2009, 20:39

Our driver drove us from Delhi to Agra, where we stayed overnight one night. Then he drove us to Jaipur where we shall stay for four nights. He will be available to drive us around Jaipur for the next three days then will take us to Jaipur airport. We have paid for this service as part of the package we booked. What is an appropriate tip for the driver?

rajered · Aug 5th, 2009, 20:52

Maybe close to Rs 500/- if he is an exceptional driver and does not take you to the places that he wants you to go to.

PeakXV · Aug 5th, 2009, 21:29

That evil look is an old ploy that is hard to stop once started -even if you gave him a 1 lakh tip, you would still get the stinkeye. Pay him a minimal gratuity, say thank you & on your way!

Aishah · Aug 6th, 2009, 09:46

I think 500 rupees is about right for the length of your tour. If you think he is very good, you might give him a little more.

Mar 9th, 2009, 23:02	#1
oxtiger Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: HORSHAM Posts: 20	India tips I have been in india for two weeks. One thing really annoyed me is the tips. No matter how much you pay, they never looks happy. When I first arrived here, I pay 300 Rs tips for three hours guide( the guide fee has been pay by the agency). He looks very unhappy. Actually I was quite happy with his service and feel I may pay too less. Then next day I pay 1000 RS tips for my driver (three days work), he still looks unhappy. After this, I decide that I will only pay 30RS. Then my next guide ( 1 hour work) was very rude for me. Does anybody know how much should I pay them?

Mar 10th, 2009, 00:05	#4
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,618	Yes, you are giving too much, I think too. As for that look - you will find it is very rare to get a 'thank you' or happy look from anyone when you give a 'gift' here. Just ignore it. For a 3 days driver, I would give around 200 rupees. If a guide for one hour is rude, give nothing. A 3 hours guide, 50 - 100 rs. is enough. I wouldn't adopt a 'no tips' policy however - that is just plain mean in my book. Most of these guides and drivers do not earn a lot of money, and tips help with their living expenses. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Aug 5th, 2009, 21:29	#8
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,879	That evil look is an old ploy that is hard to stop once started -even if you gave him a 1 lakh tip, you would still get the stinkeye. Pay him a minimal gratuity, say thank you & on your way! __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Mar 9th, 2009, 23:16	#2
paisleycamel Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 5	Dont tip them at all!! the price you are paying will more than include there services (they will not under sell themselves). If you dont feel happy giving them nothing then buy them a chai, or samosa or something! you may even make more of a friend that way. Its weird but i dont think they view money in the same way us western folk do!

Mar 9th, 2009, 23:54	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	The unhappy look is just trying it on for more please. Both the tips you mention are pretty big, really. Three hours with a guide? I might give Rs50. If he is brilliant I might make it Rs100. Driver? Hmmm... drivers really can make or break a trip for tourists, especially if you are travelling alone, but that 1,000 was two to three times too much. Maybe even four.

Mar 10th, 2009, 22:50	#5
oxtiger Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: HORSHAM Posts: 20	I also realized that I gave too much. When I arrived there, the people from travel agency keep told me that 200 Rs tips is for 3 hours guide. Then I gave it follow this rule. Good lesson to learn.

Aug 5th, 2009, 20:39	#6
Colonel Blimp Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA Posts: 3	Our driver drove us from Delhi to Agra, where we stayed overnight one night. Then he drove us to Jaipur where we shall stay for four nights. He will be available to drive us around Jaipur for the next three days then will take us to Jaipur airport. We have paid for this service as part of the package we booked. What is an appropriate tip for the driver?

Aug 5th, 2009, 20:52	#7
rajered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,184	Maybe close to Rs 500/- if he is an exceptional driver and does not take you to the places that he wants you to go to.

Aug 6th, 2009, 09:46	#9
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,618	I think 500 rupees is about right for the length of your tour. If you think he is very good, you might give him a little more.