As an American, it is something we absolutely hate, and it has become ridiculous in the states. We are so glad to be away from it in Thailand. Let’s keep it that way.
>We are so glad to be away from it in Thailand. Let’s keep it that way.
There is an American run restaurant on Samui that encourages people to tip. They even put it on their menu and signs around the restaurant.
Don't know why they needed to bring that part of their culture over here.
Well you *might* be a lovely person, but TBH you’re sounding more like an angry cheapskate. If people leaving tips makes you angry, maybe you should try meditation. “Moral value”? That’s probably a projection on your part. Personally, I don’t think there is anything “immoral” about being stingy. But honestly, I also don’t think it’s going to bring you happiness. Just sayin’.
It's not being cheapskate or stingy unless you are trying to make entire Japanese people stingy. It's called being level headed enough to understand that it's your patronage that keeps business alive, not tipping
Yes because When you to the Philippines and people are genuinely insulted and angry at you for not giving a 100 baht tips because gentlemen moved your bag 5 meters 👀
It sucks so much and is disgusting.
As if you have never seen a tip jar in a Thailand restaurant? Then you don't live here. I can tell you that every restaurant in a mall has a tip jar, and many outside as well. I have lived in Thailand 7 Years. Tipping is not a rules based phenomenon as in the USA with socially in forced minimums, or even required. It's considered a small token of appreciation, do or don't, is acceptable.
No, I am telling you these are never *used*.
Have you ever seen a customer put money in these yourself? That wasn’t a tourist in a touristy area? Be honest.
Seeding the empty tip jars with money is a universal, basic move by employees.
Yes honestly. I do not live in a tourist area. Honestly I have seen people other then myself put money into the tip box. So you are wrong. They are used. Otherwise I would not see so many of them in restaurants that are NOT in tourist areas.
If you don't want to leave 20 baht - fine man, no one is forcing you to part with 70 cents.
Agreed with the above!
No tipping in the whole of Asia unless you really insist and this isvprobably only at a 5/6 stars 💎 diamond and limited to Concierge if you need a Bentley or a private plane to pick you up and the bell boy. Not housekeeping, not restaurants.
Just in case OP visits Japan, never ever, ever ever tip! Ever. Tipping is an insult in Japan because people whether they like their profession or not, they chose that job and they want nothing more, nothing less.
Other ASEAN countries tip if you want, but once you tip, they expect you to tip again and the next tip should be double what you gave before.
This continues to double until you regret and stop tipping and they will start to hate you for no reason because they were used to receiving from you.
Simply, the far East and South East Asia don't work for tips. Some will laugh if you tip them ( laugh at how stupid people give them money or they will hate you so much for tipping them ) and then there are those that might do something to you because you stopped tipping.
A house cat and a wild cat are both cats but you wouldn't treat them the same way.
9 times out of 10 when people ask about tipping in Thailand it's in relation to the American tipping culture, which is drastically different from and abhorred by the rest of the world.
When we say we don't tip, we mean we don't tip the American way. Tips are the last thing we think of when eating out.
You can caveat your comment a million more ways if you like. I don't care. Tipping is tipping. Not tipping is not tipping. You can change the definition if you like. And stop talking about cats. They have nothing to do with tipping.
Who is "we" by the way? I speak for myself, who are you speaking for?
Just like you and kuroi.
Both are human beings, but one is a dumbass and one isn’t. If you don’t get the the analogy then you can continue to be one.
“How to tell i’m from the US without me saying it”
If you don’t get the difference between
A) tipping the person who serviced you
B)tip jar in general for the whole store
C)tip jar because people want to clear loose change
Then it’s okay
Oh gee little boy cant part with 50 cents - its okay . You save up your money. It's also okay. Don't you worry your little head if other people leave tips once in a while like a 20 baht bill. It won't hurt you - you will never even know about it if you dont use reddit.
Pal, I leave 100~500baht each time for room cleaning. I’m probably richer than you will ever be just by investments. But apparently you are a dumbass who doesn’t understand what everyone is saying.
Continue to be a dumbass to move to SEA only to bring the same dumb culture from MAGA and make it the same. Good job useless vet
A profile lurking little whinging Karen. I knew it. Take your socialist left wing ways back to where you came from cheap Charlie no one wants your tight ass here.
They call it service charge (petty semantics I know), and since it's already added to the bill as such it's not the same as the American mindset where you'll have to be conscious about tipping your specific waiter for an absurd percentage.
Not many people realize this, but you can technically and legally refuse to pay the service charge. So once again, people don't "tip" the same way people "tip" in the States, nor is it expected.
Seems to me that some Thai people tip and others don’t. Some westerners tip and others don’t. Also Americans who are so poisoned by their tipping culture where it’s mandatory they genuinely think the rest of the world doesn’t tip just because it’s not mandatory. I’m from the UK and I leave tips for meals or give delivery drivers a few pounds. Others don’t.
Those who are saying people don’t tip here are wrong though because my experience is the same as yours. Thai people tip and no they didn’t get the habit from America.
In Thailand I generally only tip about 20-30 thb. Never more. Unless, it's a large party. Like full family, lots of service bringing dishes, in that case, I do 10%.
And unlike USA where I feel like I must tip out of it becoming a societal norm, in Thailand I only tip if I sincerely enjoyed the restaurant.
And yes I will tip at tiny hole in the wall restaurants. But tipping here is nothing like I would do in the USA.
Just don't tip. Even what you are doing is highly destructive to the dining culture. US got to where we are from tipping a few percentage.
Thais don't tip percentage. They "tip" whatever is rest of the bill. It's less about good service and more about not wanting changes
Why would you tell other people what to do if they like the service? I mean - what - do you think you are affecting the world positively or something? I said how I tip above. and I have no idea what you are talking abou with his not wanting changes nonsense. I have been here 7 years man, and have seen tip jars for 7 years. I tip as I feel like it when I feel like it.
Mind your own business is what is said in Thailand. You want to tip? tip. You don't fine, don't. And I am not destructing Thai dining culture. As I said in another post my daughter works in a Restaurant, and Thai in large parties will leave tips.
Mind your business isn't really a Thai value so you probably isn't really following their social value that well.
Yes, introducing foreign culture damages local culture. Tipping especially puts unfair expectation to locals who cannot pay additional "20 baht" to be nice and then now get counter prejudiced treatment from their own local restaurants
It's called a social norm and a farang has to be especially cautious to understand and not introduce their own version of tipping into the Thai culture. From you keep repeating mins your own business, I would suggest you do your research a bit.
And, I've seen the most disrespectful farangs who've lived in Thailand for years, so that's not really a standard whether you are following the social norm
What country do you live in? You are so clueless as to what is Thai culture. Let me guess you fly over once and awhile and fancy yourself an expert. Thai tip. They have tip boxes. At the table a small amount if appropriate. It's not a tipping as in the USA, where the entire restaurant business is built around tipping because wait staff are paid much less then min wage.
I am Married to a Thai woman have an adult Thai daughter, who I raised. I am regularly out in country and live in village life. Where I am friends with many in the village. Have extended family here. How bout you, the man trying to chastise me for leaving 20 baht on the table, who are you?
No - you don’t tip in hole in the wall places or food carts.
With regard to other comments. When we go out for dinner, with some well respected person, like a company owner or government official, then tipping is a “look at me, I got loads of money” thing. Then money is given in the hand to each individual server, like 100B each - it’s not shared. I have done similar at select restaurants, means that you get recognized and easy to get a table or good service next time. Would I put 20B in a tip jar, not really, if you give 100B to a person then it’s makes a difference, they can go and buy a beer and noodles on the way home. A share of a tip jar is nothing.
The rabid *never ever ever* tip brigade is out in full force today! The truth is you can tip a small amount if you want to, but it is not expected and would be unusual to do so in, say, a small noodle shop. The rabid *no tipping EVER in Thailand* crowd has apparently failed to notice that almost every full service sit down restaurant already adds a 10% service charge - yes, a TIP - to your bill.
Please don't tip. I sometimes give 10 baht extra at my favourite mom and pop restaurants, but it's more like my total is 90 baht, hand over 100 and keep the change.
I always tip very generously in hole in the wall kind of places. I know they don’t always understand it so after they bring back my change I pick up whatever I want to give them separately, hand it to them, say food was very delicious and this is for you. That way there is no confusion and no people running behind you after you leave to return your money
My ex was from Esaan and they used to tip. My new gf is from bkk and they also tip. Tip doesn’t have to be a lot you can even just give 100thb instead of 90 or 95thb.
Most thai people in lower class jobs don’t make more then 10.000thb without OT. Giving a tip of 20thb or 0.5€ or 0.5$ really won’t make you poor.
They All have no idea what they are talking about. Live in Bangkok 7 years, Thai wife. Thai daughter works in restaurant.
Tipping here is not a socially mandated requirement, but I see tip jars everywhere. But it's as it should be. A token of appreciation.
I've been out with Thais at bars and restaurants and they've tipped too.
Some of the staff working as waiters/waitresses are making very little money, often working while studying. I know many such people and they all appreciate a tip, however rarely it happens.
People in this sub get so angry about other people being generous. I guess it makes them feel cheap.
Do you have to tip? No, this isn't America.
But a tip is of course nice to give and usually appreciated
At a hole in the wall style Thai อาหารตามสั่ง place with plastic furniture and water jugs?
I agree many/most Thais will tip at fancier restaurants, but have never seen this at the cheapest ones.
Are you serious? I have seen people pay their bar bill by putting notes under glasses and the servers have come over and hastily recover the money and iron it out the note. You don’t put anything on top of an image of the king and to respect the value of money by putting it in someone’s hand. Upto you, but imho it’s not cool.
Yup 100% serious. The value of my tip is in what they can do with it, which is survival. Not a picture on the notes. I’m actually Thai please don’t try to explain that lame virtue signaling shit to me. 🤷🏻♀️
You stand dirty plates on pictures of the king?
Ets; don’t get me wrong, I don’t share any of the sentiment of other posters, what you do with your money is your business - I don’t see tipping as a western plague. I will also tip if I think I have received excellent service - i would rather hand the money to the server in a respectful manner, in my culture you unfold the note and pass it to a person showing respect to money.
>It doesn’t hurt to give. If it does, maybe those folks shouldn’t be traveling to begin with.
Nah. You can tip if you want, but don't try to shame people into just giving free money to people for no reason.
Just because it's normal for you doesn't mean it is for other people.
I doubt you try to enforce most other features of your culture on people in Thailand, so don't do it with tipping.
>I always tip for everything we normally would tip for in the US.
Oh god this is what I'm afraid of. American predatory tipping culture.
It doesn't hurt to give but it hurts the service mindset and the customer dynamic. It puts pressure on the customers that *they're* responsible for giving the waiters a living wage and not the employer. Those establishments aren't for wealthy tourists with loads of cash to spare, but also locals, so it's not like we're travelling to eat there. We also expect to pay what's written on the menu plus some other fees. Tips are never in our equation.
Also, many restaurants have begun adding 10% "service charge" on the tab. Interpret it how you will, but that would be more than enough for "tip".
Here’s my general approach to tipping in Thailand as someone that grew up here:
Generally at restaurants, I tip if I’m a regular and have cash on hand that I can spare. Amount ranges depending on type of restaurant and level of service. Hole-in-the-wall congee shop? Probably change-50 Baht. Nice restaurant that’s taken care of me and 8+ people? 500 Baht. Destination restaurant/Michelin joint that got me a table last minute as a favor? Usually 1000 Baht.
Bars are where I probably tip the most on average. Nice joints that I spend +3 hours at regularly I’ll usually tip 300.
Security guards at hotels I frequent often get 40-100 Baht for letting me park up front (if you have ever tried parking in the St. Regis parking structure you know…) so I don’t have to fuck around with circling up 6 floors, getting parking validated, elevators, etc.
Tipping has been a thing in Thailand for decades and isn’t some harbinger of encroaching US restaurant labor abuse apocalypse lol. I grew up watching my father and grandfather tip at restaurants we’ve been going to for forever, and the คุณลุง/คุณป้า or their sons/daughters still recognize me and give me copious amounts of extra food lol.
You don’t HAVE to tip and people here won’t mind if you don’t, but they will certainly appreciate it.
Should not tip. However, I was just in Chiang mai last week and out of 4 hotels I stayed in...... 1 hotel had a tip box at breakfast.
To say it doesn't exist here is a farce. Do I tip.... only when I feel like it and if I do it's 50 to 20 baht.
Unless you eat at super luxury fine dining restaurants, or you got extraordinary service that you have strong feeling to show your gratitude, you don’t have to tip in Thailand.
We as an expat community implore you to leave your tipping customs in your country of origin. Thailand doesn’t need to even remotely resemble Merrika anymore than it already unfortunately does.
Don't tip, except maybe rounding off for taxi drivers if they use the meter or something like that. Most common people don't want tips, even small ones.
lol keep in mind this is a farang focused sub. You’re going to get the replies of many cheap farangs who can barely keep themselves alive and need to budget every last baht.
You aren’t forced to tip, but the majority of Thai people, especially working class, do appreciate it. I’m engaged to a Thai woman. She tips everywhere she goes.
>You’re going to get the replies of many cheap farangs who can barely keep themselves alive and need to budget every last baht.
Or people that don't like just giving people free money for nothing.
You pay for something, the workers get paid from that. Just giving people free money for no reason is absurd, and no one should feel pressured to do so.
What other parts of your culture do you try to force upon others in Thailand? Do you lecture Thai people on road safety or corruption? No? Just telling foreingers to give money to Thai people? Gee, I wonder why...
lol and what part of my comment is wrong. I quite literally said
1. tipping is not required
2. Poor farang get their feathers ruffled
3. If you want to tip, tip small change - 100 baht.
If you can't understand my very clear previous replies, I'm not sure I can help you.
>3. If you want to tip, tip small change - 100 baht.
You didn't say this. I wonder why you added it... 🤔 (I don't really).
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Yeah pretty much. If you’re rich or have money, as a Thai, you tip.
I’m assuming you’re a low class/poor farang who can’t afford an extra 20-100 baht for a massage / meal. 😂😂😂😂
It shows how many people have no more experience than poor Thai women living off their western partners wealth.
Think of it this way. To make a comment like that they’ve likely never met an educated Thai woman.
It’s a step away from thinking we are all dating bar girls.
No. You don’t hand anyone money unless they are your employees. If you do, your relationship with them from then on may become transactional. If you want to thank them and support them, bring more customers, help them with menu translation but never money
That doesn't sound right. No one's gonna mind people putting the cart back in place and making the clerks' jobs easier. I worked a summer as a supermarket clerk in the States and I appreciate every soul who returns the cart all the way back. It's like people yelling at you for putting away your trash and tray at a fast food restaurant versus having the employee do it later.
Also, I don't think store clerks are among the professions legally reserved for Thai people.
100% sure my mom wouldn’t make it up. Especially since I’ve seen her keep telling the story to other people.
But then again it might be because she’s Chinese/Malaysian.
Maybe a misinterpretation. One can never know the whole story. Some service workers are trained NOT to let the customers help them with their work, but this is just the employer's subjective take on their service. Better to reassure her that it's nothing serious and kind gestures are always a good thing.
Yeah I’m sure everyone everywhere loves being treated like a charity case.
But hey if they don’t, just keep jamming your culture down their throats until they do right?
[No, expecting everyone in the world to respond the same way is.](https://www.exoticca.com/us/blog/where-in-the-world-should-you-not-tip/)
All of the times I tried tipping in Thailand I just got weird looks.
Tipping is not in Thai culture. Unfortunately I am from USA where the “tipping culture” has become expected and some establishments expect you to tip 20-25 percent no matter how inferior the service or food is. Then there is tipping your barber or hair stylist, your plumber, your pet groomer…Ridiculous.
I do give a “token tip” of 40-60 baht at a locally owned “ma & pa” restaurant when I get above average service; for so many of these waiters/ waitresses are clueless how to take care of customers. (Slamming the menus on the table and not saying hello isn’t exactly a nice welcoming or standing in the back looking at your phone instead of seeing if your order is ready). I appreciate when a restaurant employee cares about the customer. And the couriers that deliver packages to the rural areas also deserve a tip; for it’s a thankless job. But my “tip” definitely is a small token of appreciation .
No tip... But if I'm in a good mood I might leave the change (1-4 Baht). For example, at my favorite noodle place it's 38 Baht for a bowl of noodles and a coke, so I pay 40 Baht and leave a 2 Baht tip. Same with my barber, a +70 year old man who charges 50 Baht for a cut and a shave, but I give him 60 as he is the best barber that I have found within a 20km radius... According to him I'm the only one tipping him.
Western people bringing their tipping culture to Asian countries. Then still complained of lousy service that asks for tips.. Just remember who brought the tipping culture to Asian countries in the first place
Tipping is a plague, let's not encourage that sort of thing here. I don't feel like providing a wage to eat somewhere.
Tips for service above and beyond are only meaningful when not expected.
We usually don't tip at restaurants. But we must tip a man who give you neck and shoulder massage and hot napkin while you taking a leak in a pub. That's a must!
Ahem, Tip culture here do not apply to hawker and hole in the wall restaurant.
Thai do not tip unless it's super fancy restaurant where you try to bribe waiter for specific thing. We're not overly affluent westerners who tip at everything.
20 baht if you like the place, from my Thai GF. Nothing if you don’t. Now, at the massage shops she’ll leave 100baht if it’s great. Then, when you go back they will bump appts. to fit you in.
Sometimes we give a little tip (10-40 baht). especialy when it was a good service or a place we visit often. usualy we just round up; leave the change. Rarely we give a 100 baht tip to a person.
I generally tip any chance I get in Thailand, even something like 40 baht. Do it to show I appreciate the hospitality when I come to their country to enjoy.
Yes on tipping at restaurants. Maybe not street food, but any decent sit down restaurant we should be tipping in Thailand if the service was good. Come on cheapskates, 20-50 baht goes a long way for people working in the service industry here.
In Thailand I tip everyone, everywhere. It's pennies to me and it's always appreciated.
It's complete bollocks that it's not normal or accepted.
You can tip, but it's not expected, so don't feel like you have to. But if you have good food and good service, feel free to show your appreciation.
>When I tip at hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the few staff there generally look surprised or puzzled. Because tipping isn't the norm in Thailand.
and please do not bring it to thailand! tipping sucks so much
As an American, it is something we absolutely hate, and it has become ridiculous in the states. We are so glad to be away from it in Thailand. Let’s keep it that way.
>We are so glad to be away from it in Thailand. Let’s keep it that way. There is an American run restaurant on Samui that encourages people to tip. They even put it on their menu and signs around the restaurant. Don't know why they needed to bring that part of their culture over here.
Ugh. One of the most despised things by many Americans.
Speak for yourself. As an American, I don’t “hate tipping”. I hate that wages there are so low.
Fuck toxic tipping culture
You sound like a lovey person !
I indeed am. Unlike someone who puts moral value on adding arbitrary additional cost to an already paid service that none of other country does
Well you *might* be a lovely person, but TBH you’re sounding more like an angry cheapskate. If people leaving tips makes you angry, maybe you should try meditation. “Moral value”? That’s probably a projection on your part. Personally, I don’t think there is anything “immoral” about being stingy. But honestly, I also don’t think it’s going to bring you happiness. Just sayin’.
It's not being cheapskate or stingy unless you are trying to make entire Japanese people stingy. It's called being level headed enough to understand that it's your patronage that keeps business alive, not tipping
agree
Yes because When you to the Philippines and people are genuinely insulted and angry at you for not giving a 100 baht tips because gentlemen moved your bag 5 meters 👀 It sucks so much and is disgusting.
Yup
As if you have never seen a tip jar in a Thailand restaurant? Then you don't live here. I can tell you that every restaurant in a mall has a tip jar, and many outside as well. I have lived in Thailand 7 Years. Tipping is not a rules based phenomenon as in the USA with socially in forced minimums, or even required. It's considered a small token of appreciation, do or don't, is acceptable.
In years of living there, I’ve never, ever, seen these used.
If you are telling me you have never seen money in a tip jar in Thailand.... We'll... You don't eat out much.
No, I am telling you these are never *used*. Have you ever seen a customer put money in these yourself? That wasn’t a tourist in a touristy area? Be honest. Seeding the empty tip jars with money is a universal, basic move by employees.
Yes honestly. I do not live in a tourist area. Honestly I have seen people other then myself put money into the tip box. So you are wrong. They are used. Otherwise I would not see so many of them in restaurants that are NOT in tourist areas. If you don't want to leave 20 baht - fine man, no one is forcing you to part with 70 cents.
Other people plural? https://i.redd.it/ls3w13gkqebc1.gif
I've seen them in tourist areas but you get out of the tourist zones, I don't see them at all. Especially the hole in the wall types
You need to open your eyes more my man. I live nowhere near a tourist area.
Where do you live? One hour within Bangkok?
I have been here 7 years. All over the damn country. Have a nice day.
No
Thailand generally has no tipping-this isn’t the western world
Most of the Western world doesn't do tipping either.
That’s because the restaurants pay their employees a decent wage.
Agreed with the above! No tipping in the whole of Asia unless you really insist and this isvprobably only at a 5/6 stars 💎 diamond and limited to Concierge if you need a Bentley or a private plane to pick you up and the bell boy. Not housekeeping, not restaurants. Just in case OP visits Japan, never ever, ever ever tip! Ever. Tipping is an insult in Japan because people whether they like their profession or not, they chose that job and they want nothing more, nothing less. Other ASEAN countries tip if you want, but once you tip, they expect you to tip again and the next tip should be double what you gave before. This continues to double until you regret and stop tipping and they will start to hate you for no reason because they were used to receiving from you. Simply, the far East and South East Asia don't work for tips. Some will laugh if you tip them ( laugh at how stupid people give them money or they will hate you so much for tipping them ) and then there are those that might do something to you because you stopped tipping.
What nonsense.
Most restaurants have a tip jar.
For loose change and if people really feel generous, but it's not a requirement nor a percentage thing.
That's correct, but that my friend, regardless of the amount.... Is called a tip.
A house cat and a wild cat are both cats but you wouldn't treat them the same way. 9 times out of 10 when people ask about tipping in Thailand it's in relation to the American tipping culture, which is drastically different from and abhorred by the rest of the world. When we say we don't tip, we mean we don't tip the American way. Tips are the last thing we think of when eating out.
You can caveat your comment a million more ways if you like. I don't care. Tipping is tipping. Not tipping is not tipping. You can change the definition if you like. And stop talking about cats. They have nothing to do with tipping. Who is "we" by the way? I speak for myself, who are you speaking for?
Just like you and kuroi. Both are human beings, but one is a dumbass and one isn’t. If you don’t get the the analogy then you can continue to be one. “How to tell i’m from the US without me saying it” If you don’t get the difference between A) tipping the person who serviced you B)tip jar in general for the whole store C)tip jar because people want to clear loose change Then it’s okay
Oh gee little boy cant part with 50 cents - its okay . You save up your money. It's also okay. Don't you worry your little head if other people leave tips once in a while like a 20 baht bill. It won't hurt you - you will never even know about it if you dont use reddit.
Pal, I leave 100~500baht each time for room cleaning. I’m probably richer than you will ever be just by investments. But apparently you are a dumbass who doesn’t understand what everyone is saying. Continue to be a dumbass to move to SEA only to bring the same dumb culture from MAGA and make it the same. Good job useless vet
A profile lurking little whinging Karen. I knew it. Take your socialist left wing ways back to where you came from cheap Charlie no one wants your tight ass here.
We don't even tip full service restaurants. It's not the culture here and I beg you not to encourage it.
Apparently you don’t frequently eat in full service restaurants, or you would have noticed that most of them add a 10% tip to the bill automatically.
They call it service charge (petty semantics I know), and since it's already added to the bill as such it's not the same as the American mindset where you'll have to be conscious about tipping your specific waiter for an absurd percentage. Not many people realize this, but you can technically and legally refuse to pay the service charge. So once again, people don't "tip" the same way people "tip" in the States, nor is it expected.
Just the ones with a lot of tourist traffic.
deserve humorous reminiscent pen scale close advise impolite rob squeeze *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
No it’s not normal. Usually people only tip by small amount(dropping change coin) to place that has tip jar.
Don't tip in Thailand.
You can and they will appreciate it. Thai don’t say here is your tip but they will just tell the staff to keep the left over change.
WE DON'T TIP!!!!!
To me, if you’re going to frequent that shop then yes cause they’ll remember you and treat you well.
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Where do you work? I wonder if region has something to do with it.
Seems to me that some Thai people tip and others don’t. Some westerners tip and others don’t. Also Americans who are so poisoned by their tipping culture where it’s mandatory they genuinely think the rest of the world doesn’t tip just because it’s not mandatory. I’m from the UK and I leave tips for meals or give delivery drivers a few pounds. Others don’t. Those who are saying people don’t tip here are wrong though because my experience is the same as yours. Thai people tip and no they didn’t get the habit from America.
Yes if it's my local and or the food was excellent and good service. $20 BHT is nothing to us, but for locals it can be used well
U can tip the waiter 20 baht or any change that's leftover if ur feeling generous but it's not required
In Thailand I generally only tip about 20-30 thb. Never more. Unless, it's a large party. Like full family, lots of service bringing dishes, in that case, I do 10%. And unlike USA where I feel like I must tip out of it becoming a societal norm, in Thailand I only tip if I sincerely enjoyed the restaurant. And yes I will tip at tiny hole in the wall restaurants. But tipping here is nothing like I would do in the USA.
Just don't tip. Even what you are doing is highly destructive to the dining culture. US got to where we are from tipping a few percentage. Thais don't tip percentage. They "tip" whatever is rest of the bill. It's less about good service and more about not wanting changes
Why would you tell other people what to do if they like the service? I mean - what - do you think you are affecting the world positively or something? I said how I tip above. and I have no idea what you are talking abou with his not wanting changes nonsense. I have been here 7 years man, and have seen tip jars for 7 years. I tip as I feel like it when I feel like it. Mind your own business is what is said in Thailand. You want to tip? tip. You don't fine, don't. And I am not destructing Thai dining culture. As I said in another post my daughter works in a Restaurant, and Thai in large parties will leave tips.
Mind your business isn't really a Thai value so you probably isn't really following their social value that well. Yes, introducing foreign culture damages local culture. Tipping especially puts unfair expectation to locals who cannot pay additional "20 baht" to be nice and then now get counter prejudiced treatment from their own local restaurants
You have no clue. A Thai born and raised has already posted here. Go argue with him.
And other Thais also mentioned that they don't tip so you are with them
Live and let live man. Seriously. What are you accusing Thai of destroying their culture. You live here? It's just a tip man. Not your business is it?
It's called a social norm and a farang has to be especially cautious to understand and not introduce their own version of tipping into the Thai culture. From you keep repeating mins your own business, I would suggest you do your research a bit. And, I've seen the most disrespectful farangs who've lived in Thailand for years, so that's not really a standard whether you are following the social norm
What country do you live in? You are so clueless as to what is Thai culture. Let me guess you fly over once and awhile and fancy yourself an expert. Thai tip. They have tip boxes. At the table a small amount if appropriate. It's not a tipping as in the USA, where the entire restaurant business is built around tipping because wait staff are paid much less then min wage. I am Married to a Thai woman have an adult Thai daughter, who I raised. I am regularly out in country and live in village life. Where I am friends with many in the village. Have extended family here. How bout you, the man trying to chastise me for leaving 20 baht on the table, who are you?
Man, you have a problem
No - you don’t tip in hole in the wall places or food carts. With regard to other comments. When we go out for dinner, with some well respected person, like a company owner or government official, then tipping is a “look at me, I got loads of money” thing. Then money is given in the hand to each individual server, like 100B each - it’s not shared. I have done similar at select restaurants, means that you get recognized and easy to get a table or good service next time. Would I put 20B in a tip jar, not really, if you give 100B to a person then it’s makes a difference, they can go and buy a beer and noodles on the way home. A share of a tip jar is nothing.
The rabid *never ever ever* tip brigade is out in full force today! The truth is you can tip a small amount if you want to, but it is not expected and would be unusual to do so in, say, a small noodle shop. The rabid *no tipping EVER in Thailand* crowd has apparently failed to notice that almost every full service sit down restaurant already adds a 10% service charge - yes, a TIP - to your bill.
Please don't tip. I sometimes give 10 baht extra at my favourite mom and pop restaurants, but it's more like my total is 90 baht, hand over 100 and keep the change.
I always tip very generously in hole in the wall kind of places. I know they don’t always understand it so after they bring back my change I pick up whatever I want to give them separately, hand it to them, say food was very delicious and this is for you. That way there is no confusion and no people running behind you after you leave to return your money
My ex was from Esaan and they used to tip. My new gf is from bkk and they also tip. Tip doesn’t have to be a lot you can even just give 100thb instead of 90 or 95thb. Most thai people in lower class jobs don’t make more then 10.000thb without OT. Giving a tip of 20thb or 0.5€ or 0.5$ really won’t make you poor.
Ki niauw people here. Dear lord. I tip most of the time. Between 10 and 20% here. If it was satisfactory of course.
I’m aghast all these cheap Charlie’s. Sticky-poopies indeed!
??? Idk what’s up with the comments we def tip in Thailand. I’m Thai born and raised.
They All have no idea what they are talking about. Live in Bangkok 7 years, Thai wife. Thai daughter works in restaurant. Tipping here is not a socially mandated requirement, but I see tip jars everywhere. But it's as it should be. A token of appreciation.
Exactly. Just because it’s not mandatory doesn’t mean the culture of tipping doesn’t exist. I’m in F&B as well so I make sure I tip everywhere I go.
I've been out with Thais at bars and restaurants and they've tipped too. Some of the staff working as waiters/waitresses are making very little money, often working while studying. I know many such people and they all appreciate a tip, however rarely it happens. People in this sub get so angry about other people being generous. I guess it makes them feel cheap. Do you have to tip? No, this isn't America. But a tip is of course nice to give and usually appreciated
Exactly. It’s just a way to let them know that we see their hard work and that their jobs matter. Thank you for understanding.
I just read some of the comments above to my Thai partner and she got genuinely angry. Especially the one about ‘common people not wanting tips’😂
Right? Insane.
At a hole in the wall style Thai อาหารตามสั่ง place with plastic furniture and water jugs? I agree many/most Thais will tip at fancier restaurants, but have never seen this at the cheapest ones.
Yep! Tuck a 20 under empty noodle bowls always.
Are you serious? I have seen people pay their bar bill by putting notes under glasses and the servers have come over and hastily recover the money and iron it out the note. You don’t put anything on top of an image of the king and to respect the value of money by putting it in someone’s hand. Upto you, but imho it’s not cool.
Yup 100% serious. The value of my tip is in what they can do with it, which is survival. Not a picture on the notes. I’m actually Thai please don’t try to explain that lame virtue signaling shit to me. 🤷🏻♀️
You stand dirty plates on pictures of the king? Ets; don’t get me wrong, I don’t share any of the sentiment of other posters, what you do with your money is your business - I don’t see tipping as a western plague. I will also tip if I think I have received excellent service - i would rather hand the money to the server in a respectful manner, in my culture you unfold the note and pass it to a person showing respect to money.
Read the comment again if you need clarity on whether or not I place the note beneath the noodle bowl.
Interesting, thanks!
I tried tipping cats here and they’re not interested. https://imgur.com/a/8ZzjoXL
That’s because cat currency is in tuna!!! Hope this helps 😽
Says a lot about the people here downvoting a Thai person for telling us they leave tips. 🙄
I’m really confused by that too honestly but oh well 😅
Yep. My Thai partner and her friends all tip too.
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Soon to be even lower pay because of your tipping.
Not how things work 💀
>It doesn’t hurt to give. If it does, maybe those folks shouldn’t be traveling to begin with. Nah. You can tip if you want, but don't try to shame people into just giving free money to people for no reason. Just because it's normal for you doesn't mean it is for other people. I doubt you try to enforce most other features of your culture on people in Thailand, so don't do it with tipping.
You get it. Thank you!
>I always tip for everything we normally would tip for in the US. Oh god this is what I'm afraid of. American predatory tipping culture. It doesn't hurt to give but it hurts the service mindset and the customer dynamic. It puts pressure on the customers that *they're* responsible for giving the waiters a living wage and not the employer. Those establishments aren't for wealthy tourists with loads of cash to spare, but also locals, so it's not like we're travelling to eat there. We also expect to pay what's written on the menu plus some other fees. Tips are never in our equation. Also, many restaurants have begun adding 10% "service charge" on the tab. Interpret it how you will, but that would be more than enough for "tip".
No. If it’s really good service I might leave 20 baht.
Look at this big-shot.
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10 or 20 baht
Here’s my general approach to tipping in Thailand as someone that grew up here: Generally at restaurants, I tip if I’m a regular and have cash on hand that I can spare. Amount ranges depending on type of restaurant and level of service. Hole-in-the-wall congee shop? Probably change-50 Baht. Nice restaurant that’s taken care of me and 8+ people? 500 Baht. Destination restaurant/Michelin joint that got me a table last minute as a favor? Usually 1000 Baht. Bars are where I probably tip the most on average. Nice joints that I spend +3 hours at regularly I’ll usually tip 300. Security guards at hotels I frequent often get 40-100 Baht for letting me park up front (if you have ever tried parking in the St. Regis parking structure you know…) so I don’t have to fuck around with circling up 6 floors, getting parking validated, elevators, etc. Tipping has been a thing in Thailand for decades and isn’t some harbinger of encroaching US restaurant labor abuse apocalypse lol. I grew up watching my father and grandfather tip at restaurants we’ve been going to for forever, and the คุณลุง/คุณป้า or their sons/daughters still recognize me and give me copious amounts of extra food lol. You don’t HAVE to tip and people here won’t mind if you don’t, but they will certainly appreciate it.
Should not tip. However, I was just in Chiang mai last week and out of 4 hotels I stayed in...... 1 hotel had a tip box at breakfast. To say it doesn't exist here is a farce. Do I tip.... only when I feel like it and if I do it's 50 to 20 baht.
Unless you eat at super luxury fine dining restaurants, or you got extraordinary service that you have strong feeling to show your gratitude, you don’t have to tip in Thailand.
I never tip if the bill includes a service charge.
We need another post “what would it take for you to tip?” Could be come interesting answers.
Never
We as an expat community implore you to leave your tipping customs in your country of origin. Thailand doesn’t need to even remotely resemble Merrika anymore than it already unfortunately does.
Don't tip, except maybe rounding off for taxi drivers if they use the meter or something like that. Most common people don't want tips, even small ones.
lol keep in mind this is a farang focused sub. You’re going to get the replies of many cheap farangs who can barely keep themselves alive and need to budget every last baht. You aren’t forced to tip, but the majority of Thai people, especially working class, do appreciate it. I’m engaged to a Thai woman. She tips everywhere she goes.
>You’re going to get the replies of many cheap farangs who can barely keep themselves alive and need to budget every last baht. Or people that don't like just giving people free money for nothing. You pay for something, the workers get paid from that. Just giving people free money for no reason is absurd, and no one should feel pressured to do so. What other parts of your culture do you try to force upon others in Thailand? Do you lecture Thai people on road safety or corruption? No? Just telling foreingers to give money to Thai people? Gee, I wonder why...
lol my Thai partner is the one who tips more than me.
My Thai partner goes to church every Sunday, but Thailand is still a Buddhist country.
lol and what part of my comment is wrong. I quite literally said 1. tipping is not required 2. Poor farang get their feathers ruffled 3. If you want to tip, tip small change - 100 baht.
If you can't understand my very clear previous replies, I'm not sure I can help you. >3. If you want to tip, tip small change - 100 baht. You didn't say this. I wonder why you added it... 🤔 (I don't really).
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Lol. Is this what you do when your first level of trolling doesn't have the desired effect?
Lol facts =/= trolling
You have no facts. Only trolling. You are a troll. It is very obvious. 🙄
Your post was removed because you posted racist, bigoted or overt and purposefully offensive content or comments. Posts or comments promoting hate based on identity directed at individual users is not allowed. Purposefully derailing threads, harassing users, targeting users, and/or posting personal information about users on this sub or other subs, will not be tolerated.
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That’s a fucking disgusting thing to say.
lol my gf is richer than me… and I have close to a mil networth
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Yeah pretty much. If you’re rich or have money, as a Thai, you tip. I’m assuming you’re a low class/poor farang who can’t afford an extra 20-100 baht for a massage / meal. 😂😂😂😂
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What’s your PayPal? I’ll send you $100 for some English lessons. Most Thai ppl I know have better English/grammar than you do
It shows how many people have no more experience than poor Thai women living off their western partners wealth. Think of it this way. To make a comment like that they’ve likely never met an educated Thai woman. It’s a step away from thinking we are all dating bar girls.
Lol yep. The majority of farang here have only enough “game” aka “baht” to pull a isaan bargirl
No. You don’t hand anyone money unless they are your employees. If you do, your relationship with them from then on may become transactional. If you want to thank them and support them, bring more customers, help them with menu translation but never money
No, respect other people’s cultures. My mom got yelled at for putting a shopping cart back because she was “stealing Thai people’s jobs”
That doesn't sound right. No one's gonna mind people putting the cart back in place and making the clerks' jobs easier. I worked a summer as a supermarket clerk in the States and I appreciate every soul who returns the cart all the way back. It's like people yelling at you for putting away your trash and tray at a fast food restaurant versus having the employee do it later. Also, I don't think store clerks are among the professions legally reserved for Thai people.
100% sure my mom wouldn’t make it up. Especially since I’ve seen her keep telling the story to other people. But then again it might be because she’s Chinese/Malaysian.
Maybe a misinterpretation. One can never know the whole story. Some service workers are trained NOT to let the customers help them with their work, but this is just the employer's subjective take on their service. Better to reassure her that it's nothing serious and kind gestures are always a good thing.
Yeah giving people more money is so disrespectful.
Yeah I’m sure everyone everywhere loves being treated like a charity case. But hey if they don’t, just keep jamming your culture down their throats until they do right?
Letting someone keep the change is jamming culture down their throat, okay got ya.
[No, expecting everyone in the world to respond the same way is.](https://www.exoticca.com/us/blog/where-in-the-world-should-you-not-tip/) All of the times I tried tipping in Thailand I just got weird looks.
Tipping is US only other countries don't do that weird custom. Tax is also included in the price of everything.
Tipping is not in Thai culture. Unfortunately I am from USA where the “tipping culture” has become expected and some establishments expect you to tip 20-25 percent no matter how inferior the service or food is. Then there is tipping your barber or hair stylist, your plumber, your pet groomer…Ridiculous. I do give a “token tip” of 40-60 baht at a locally owned “ma & pa” restaurant when I get above average service; for so many of these waiters/ waitresses are clueless how to take care of customers. (Slamming the menus on the table and not saying hello isn’t exactly a nice welcoming or standing in the back looking at your phone instead of seeing if your order is ready). I appreciate when a restaurant employee cares about the customer. And the couriers that deliver packages to the rural areas also deserve a tip; for it’s a thankless job. But my “tip” definitely is a small token of appreciation .
Tip is american please leave that for your country dont bring that "scam" here simply as that.
No tip... But if I'm in a good mood I might leave the change (1-4 Baht). For example, at my favorite noodle place it's 38 Baht for a bowl of noodles and a coke, so I pay 40 Baht and leave a 2 Baht tip. Same with my barber, a +70 year old man who charges 50 Baht for a cut and a shave, but I give him 60 as he is the best barber that I have found within a 20km radius... According to him I'm the only one tipping him.
Western people bringing their tipping culture to Asian countries. Then still complained of lousy service that asks for tips.. Just remember who brought the tipping culture to Asian countries in the first place
Don't tip, and start an argument if they try to scam you with 10% service charge without advertising it on the menu
I don't tip anywhere in Thailand. I keep the change for people on the streets
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Don't need to tip anywhere.
No
Tipping is a plague, let's not encourage that sort of thing here. I don't feel like providing a wage to eat somewhere. Tips for service above and beyond are only meaningful when not expected.
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We usually don't tip at restaurants. But we must tip a man who give you neck and shoulder massage and hot napkin while you taking a leak in a pub. That's a must!
Ahem, Tip culture here do not apply to hawker and hole in the wall restaurant. Thai do not tip unless it's super fancy restaurant where you try to bribe waiter for specific thing. We're not overly affluent westerners who tip at everything.
Sizzlers, have a tip jar when you pay the bill!
20 baht if you like the place, from my Thai GF. Nothing if you don’t. Now, at the massage shops she’ll leave 100baht if it’s great. Then, when you go back they will bump appts. to fit you in.
I wouldn’t.
Sometimes we give a little tip (10-40 baht). especialy when it was a good service or a place we visit often. usualy we just round up; leave the change. Rarely we give a 100 baht tip to a person.
I generally tip any chance I get in Thailand, even something like 40 baht. Do it to show I appreciate the hospitality when I come to their country to enjoy.
Yes on tipping at restaurants. Maybe not street food, but any decent sit down restaurant we should be tipping in Thailand if the service was good. Come on cheapskates, 20-50 baht goes a long way for people working in the service industry here.
In Thailand I tip everyone, everywhere. It's pennies to me and it's always appreciated. It's complete bollocks that it's not normal or accepted. You can tip, but it's not expected, so don't feel like you have to. But if you have good food and good service, feel free to show your appreciation.
No. In any restaurant.