Tipping

railman

I was recently in Udaipur and made the mistake of giving my guide 3000 rupees instead of 300 rupees. My own fault, yers - it was late and the heavens had just opened as we got out of the car and I didn't check properly.

The guide told our driver that I had made a mistake, but that he was still keeping the tip. So much for any integrity.

So, if you are in Udaipur and your guide is Neeraj B. N. Katta from Chief Travels - tell him at the end that the tip of 3000 rupees that the Englishman gave him included your tip and give him nothing.

atala

I was recently in a situation where I got out of a car and only a little later I noticed that the bundle of 100 Rupee-bills that I carried with me had slipped out of a pocket and must have been lying in the car. Just at that point the driver comes up to me handing me the money, I look at it and notice that some is missing. I realise the awkward situation I am in, outwardly having to show gratefulness for the driver's honesty for which he seemed to expect a tip, but inwardly knowing he took his share already . Difficult.

You know, railman, your Rs 3000 must have hurt at the moment. These things actually show our attachment to material things on one hand, but on the other hand also to an Ego in us that keeps us from being natural. You could have decided to address the situation and tell the guide: "Look, I gave you too much", if he spoke English well enough, and then see what happened, without getting attached to the outcome.

I would see it as a price to pay for the lesson of seeing what is involved in such a situation, of what happens in yourself, what after-effects are caused. In the end: Forgive yourself to have erred. Someone else had a benefit from it. How often do we err, and all involved are suffering from it? Now only you are suffering. You can put an end to that yourself.

SitaParityaga

I hate losing stuff as much as the next guy. I wouldn't see this so much as a total rip off as just a slip up on my own, poor me!

Sheesh, if Donald Trump mistakedly gave me US $700 tip instead of a $70, I must say my own integrity would have been challenged as well.

machadinha

I can't say I felt very sorry reading this, no. My general instict is people who can afford to accidentally add a zero to what they lose won't fare too badly.

Too bad, yes; what can you say, move on. I like Atala's general philosophy on the matter And as so often, if this should be in "scams" forum I'm not at all sure about, just I have no idea where else to park it (Packing Tips?)

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atala

I think "wrong" tipping happens a lot around Airports and luxury hotels where people arriving have not tuned in yet into the ratio of the local living-cost.

There is some unwelcome effect for everyone else if there is a disproportionate income possibility for someone lucky enough to hit the right person for a tip.

Personally I appreciate any effort shown by locals to offer some service in order to get a reward, rather than just expecting money for "nothing". In some places women-with-child beggars now sell small items rather than do their begging. I think it is a step forward, something to be honoured.

Nick-H

People all over the world take advantage of tourists' lack of familiarity with the local currency. It's not honest, or decent, but it happens.

The day I accidentally paid a driver in five-hundreds instead of one-hundreds he told me and put it right. He could have have made a very nice 'tip' that day.

I was lucky with that guy; the OP was unlucky with his. I guess both are happening every day.

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Aishah

It's not a scam but it is an annoyance to OP caused by himself, and it happened in India so leave it here, Machadinha! But as for the 'get back at the driver' I don't know about the don't give him a tip bit,railman. I'm a believer in 'fresh starts', maybe he is not really enjoying his ill-gotten gains either; best to leave it and not carry on with suggested 'vendetta'??

I just realised it was your guide, not driver- mmm, someone who showed you around for just a day?? And he told your driver he was aware of it but wouldn't give it back..well puts a different complexion on it, I guess. The only thing I can say is Guides are very poorly paid, are not usually into middle class bracket of Indian society, so this 'bonus' would surely come in handy for him! Think of it as losing your wallet but less inconvenience - you don't have to replace all those cards with huge hassle, which happened to me one time..

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capt_mahajan

Atala's post makes sense.

I must learn to follow that thinking, too


As for the forum, not that it matters that much, but it is dishonest, so it is a scam.

Brisso

I would say a "scam" involves intent. This incident is more of an opportunistic nature. My view - if you are careless, you have Buckley's (almost nil) chance of recovering your money.

I always have the fee/ fare ready prior to the conclusion of the fare/ transaction whatever. Try and keep a few hundred rups separate from your wallet for this - in a pocket perhaps.

I like to keep large bills and smaller separate.

Caveat emptor!

dhans

Yeah, this is not a scam, but just plain clumsiness (or stupid). I've been there also..

I keep my big bills in he moneybelt. Smaller ones in a billfold. and real smal stuff in my pockets for tips and beggars.

Hans

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Nick-H

As a practicality, that is good advice: If I have any 500s in my purse, they live in a zipped pocket, 100s and smaller live out in the open.

I remember, years back, on producing a wad of notes from my pocket to pay a small amount, being told by an Indian friend never to do that again! On a bad day, temptation can make a thief of a normally good man --- and not all are good men.

When we are tourists we tend to carry very substantial amounts in Indian terms, due to inconveniences of foreign exchange, and worries about changing money. Those worries can be real: I remember being completely screwed by three days of public holiday! The problem is less now with ATMs.

But Mrs N can't understand why I still feel insecure without at least Rs500 in my pocket!

Aishah

ATM's have made all the difference if you have an Indian bank account but not so great if overseas because of the fees per transaction. To try and keep fees lower, I tend to take out maximum at a time i.e. in Oz dollars per transaction there is a $5 withdrawal fee no matter how much you withdraw - it's a flat rate. O.K. living here but not so good when travelling - have to keep a close eye on all - and like other posters I separate small notes from larger ones, keeping bulk of large ones in very safe place.

atala

I see tipping, giving to beggars, and donations to Sadhus, temples and such, as an opportunity to share some of my energy in an uneven trial to repay for what I receive in such a great country, among such great people.

Aishah

Nice attitude, Atala! I wish more travellers would think your way - over the years here I have seen some very meanminded people. They come to India only for a cheap holiday, not interested in the people here or what India has to offer. It is a cheap way to escape the tensions back in their own countries, or the cold back home etc. Some genuinely have no idea how tipping is important to people's lives here - they do not tip in their own country and don't realize about it here.

julz

What a lovely way to view this! Very well said