Tipping

capt_mahajan · Oct 23rd, 2007, 10:54

Quote:

I would say a "scam" involves intent. This incident is more of an opportunistic nature.

You are right. My definition is incorrect.

New-South-Welshman · Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:22

I can't say I've ever been scammed in India, or ever, really. When it comes to money, I am very cautious. Not saying I'm cheap, but I have the money prepared hours before, including tip, so it just makes it more convenient for me and the person running the service. I hope I just didn't jinx myself.

Aishah · Oct 23rd, 2007, 18:07

And nice you include your tip, NSWman! As i mentioned before many don't even think about it.

Mehndi Masala · Nov 4th, 2007, 10:33

OK, I begin by appologising for the can of worms I am about to open, cause I know that this is more opinion than basic fact, but please don't holler at me...

How much do I tip a driver from the airport to the hotel if I am already obligated to pay him $30.00 USD? yes I realize this is expensive and hurts the pocketbook, but it's worth the hassle free factor on my first arrival! Do I tip him anything? A percentage?

WHO do you tip and what percentage? I realize I don't tip a merchant, but how about at a restaurant? How many $$ do I tip a rickshaw or cabbie?? If someone is helping to bring our bags up to a room, what is his tip? 1, 5, 10, 100 rupees??

I'm having a bit of a time figureing out exactly how much a rupee is worth in terms of the standard of living.

Kim

PeakXV · Nov 4th, 2007, 10:47

Well if you have an equally kind and frugal nature about you - then it might be strategic to begin your tipping ritual by dropping rupee coins into their hand - only up until that "I'm going to make you feel guilty scowl" lightens up a bit!

capt_mahajan · Nov 4th, 2007, 10:56

Quote:

yes I realize this is expensive

Oh yes. Many times the normal prepaid fare, I would think.
Tip-If you have hired an individual car/driver (not a company), zero. He is overcharging you anyway.
If hired through a company, nothing, or 50 rupees. considering he knows you are rich

.

General tipping in resteraunts, I would say 5/10 percent is a decent amount, but many tip less, specially if the resteraunt includes 'service charges' (only at higher end resteraunts).

For a small resteraunt- say an idli/dosa place, ten rupees may be too much, but I usually tip decently, they are poorly paid.
Many disagree with me, and tip say 10/20 rupees for a 400 rupee bill.

Rickshaw or metered cabbie, no tip

Car hired full day, I tip 50/100 rupees, depending on service.

Not hard and fast, but this is what I would tip

Carrying bags in 3 star hotel 10 per bag
5 star 20

Mehndi Masala · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:06

Oh thank you my Captain!! That is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you so much!

Peak: I like to think I am kind, and I do like to give, but being frugal is a necessity! We are far from rich and really strived to make this trip happen. THAT being said, the fact we could even dream of making such a trek EVER means that by most standards we are wealthy beyond measure. BUT our reality of western lifestyle, mortgages and loans, means that we only want to be as kind as we can afford to be and not reside in a cardboard box when we arrive home! LOL

Thanks so much! If anyone else has more suggestions/possible scenereos that could happen, please chime in!!!! I need all the help I can get!!

(is Canadian chocolate a nice added tip when combined with $$? Or is that just wierd??)

Kim

machadinha · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mehndi Masala

(is Canadian chocolate a nice added tip when combined with $$? Or is that just wierd??)

As a tip, I'd think that weird, yes. It'd also likely be molten

PeakXV · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mehndi Masala

is Canadian chocolate a nice added tip when combined with $$?

Canadians make chocolate?

Since when?

You're not confusing that Laura Secord chocolate covered soy with the real McCoy are you?

The only itsy-bitsy, tiny bit of caution I would issue to you for offering a chocolate "gift" to the taxi driver is what you might receive out of his tiffin box in the (quite possible) return gift gesture.

capt_mahajan · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:25

Hmm chocolate? He may get other ideas.

Joking. It will be a little weird, though on long outstation trips if you offered him something you were eating it would be less weird.

And if we does get other ideas, it may solve your transport problem

Mehndi Masala · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:30

LOL Actually I guess it's USA recipe and/or imported that is packaged in Canada! For some reason many of my Indian friends love it (not a huge candy-o-holic here) and I've had some requests to bring some. I have to wonder if it's just cause it's 'different'. BUT I understand that there are TONS of stuff like Lays' chips which are done 'indian style' that I've seen here in the stores (Lay's Masala chips with Saif Ali Khan on the bag) that are in India. I would imagine that chocolate would be a huge one. So...why would they want it? It must already be there!

NO clue! And yeah...I'm wondering if there may be a bit of a melty issue!!! LOL My purse would be only so cool. But I could see where someone may want to return the favor and that could have it's own hazzards! Thanks for the heads up!!

So how did ANYONE ever travel without IM???

Kim

machadinha · Nov 4th, 2007, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mehndi Masala

So how did ANYONE ever travel without IM???

Believe me: There was a lot less thinking to do.

I'm not at all sure if it helps.

Talking to friends who'd been there did.

rhill1 · Jul 27th, 2008, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Oh yes. Many times the normal prepaid fare, I would think.
Tip-If you have hired an individual car/driver (not a company), zero. He is overcharging you anyway.
If hired through a company, nothing, or 50 rupees. considering he knows you are rich

.

General tipping in resteraunts, I would say 5/10 percent is a decent amount, but many tip less, specially if the resteraunt includes 'service charges' (only at higher end resteraunts).

For a small resteraunt- say an idli/dosa place, ten rupees may be too much, but I usually tip decently, they are poorly paid.
Many disagree with me, and tip say 10/20 rupees for a 400 rupee bill.

Rickshaw or metered cabbie, no tip

Car hired full day, I tip 50/100 rupees, depending on service.

Not hard and fast, but this is what I would tip

Carrying bags in 3 star hotel 10 per bag
5 star 20

I had a GREAT driver in Delhi...such a great guy...i will put his name & contact no. later ...ffor the first 2 days i gave him 1000 rupee tip and 500 rupee for the third day...how much would this be relative to his wage??

bruce3404 · Jul 27th, 2008, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree and it makes me crazy when I see obviously well-off people haggling over 5 or 10 rupees or refusing to tip in an obvious tipping situation; I'm further embarrassed when it's someone from my own country since who wants to be perceived as a citizen of a nation of cheapskates?

machadinha · Jul 27th, 2008, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhill1

for the first 2 days i gave him 1000 rupee tip and 500 rupee for the third day...how much would this be relative to his wage??

No idea, but for that money I bet anyone would make damn sure to be a great driver

Hey, at least you made someone's day.

(I believe it was recently estimated here Goan cab drivers make around 7000 Rs. a month on average. Don't complain next time you feel treated like a walking cash dispenser.)

Glad to know from other of your posts too you had a good time though.

Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:22	#17
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,397	I can't say I've ever been scammed in India, or ever, really. When it comes to money, I am very cautious. Not saying I'm cheap, but I have the money prepared hours before, including tip, so it just makes it more convenient for me and the person running the service. I hope I just didn't jinx myself. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Oct 23rd, 2007, 18:07	#18
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,491	And nice you include your tip, NSWman! As i mentioned before many don't even think about it. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Nov 4th, 2007, 10:33	#19
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 213	OK, I begin by appologising for the can of worms I am about to open, cause I know that this is more opinion than basic fact, but please don't holler at me... How much do I tip a driver from the airport to the hotel if I am already obligated to pay him $30.00 USD? yes I realize this is expensive and hurts the pocketbook, but it's worth the hassle free factor on my first arrival! Do I tip him anything? A percentage? WHO do you tip and what percentage? I realize I don't tip a merchant, but how about at a restaurant? How many $$ do I tip a rickshaw or cabbie?? If someone is helping to bring our bags up to a room, what is his tip? 1, 5, 10, 100 rupees?? I'm having a bit of a time figureing out exactly how much a rupee is worth in terms of the standard of living. Kim __________________ Time flies like an arrow.......... Fruit flies like a banana! http://www.winnipeghenna.com Mumbai/New Delhi/Agra pix on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...id =550376015 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...id =550376015 (there are 5 more just go back to the photo albums!) Old Blog from my India Adventure! http://winnipeghenna.blogspot.com/

Nov 4th, 2007, 10:47	#20
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,401	Well if you have an equally kind and frugal nature about you - then it might be strategic to begin your tipping ritual by dropping rupee coins into their hand - only up until that "I'm going to make you feel guilty scowl" lightens up a bit! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Nov 4th, 2007, 11:06	#22
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 213	Oh thank you my Captain!! That is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you so much! Peak: I like to think I am kind, and I do like to give, but being frugal is a necessity! We are far from rich and really strived to make this trip happen. THAT being said, the fact we could even dream of making such a trek EVER means that by most standards we are wealthy beyond measure. BUT our reality of western lifestyle, mortgages and loans, means that we only want to be as kind as we can afford to be and not reside in a cardboard box when we arrive home! LOL Thanks so much! If anyone else has more suggestions/possible scenereos that could happen, please chime in!!!! I need all the help I can get!! (is Canadian chocolate a nice added tip when combined with $$? Or is that just wierd??) Kim

Nov 4th, 2007, 11:25	#25
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,602	Hmm chocolate? He may get other ideas. Joking. It will be a little weird, though on long outstation trips if you offered him something you were eating it would be less weird. And if we does get other ideas, it may solve your transport problem

Nov 4th, 2007, 11:30	#26
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 213	LOL Actually I guess it's USA recipe and/or imported that is packaged in Canada! For some reason many of my Indian friends love it (not a huge candy-o-holic here) and I've had some requests to bring some. I have to wonder if it's just cause it's 'different'. BUT I understand that there are TONS of stuff like Lays' chips which are done 'indian style' that I've seen here in the stores (Lay's Masala chips with Saif Ali Khan on the bag) that are in India. I would imagine that chocolate would be a huge one. So...why would they want it? It must already be there! NO clue! And yeah...I'm wondering if there may be a bit of a melty issue!!! LOL My purse would be only so cool. But I could see where someone may want to return the favor and that could have it's own hazzards! Thanks for the heads up!! So how did ANYONE ever travel without IM??? Kim

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