Best Posts in Thread: Tipping

It *sounds* nice but the sad truth many of us have seen is no appreciation or positive return on our tipping. Instead its treated as its expected because we are foreigners and of course as a foreigner can afford it. After all everyone knows we wipe our arses with 1,000 peso bills. If we don't tip big in some cases where they expect it due to other foreigners or a tourist establishment we are a cheap arse even when service its horrible. After all it can't be their fault.

 

I try to tip the chambermaid every 2nd day or so during my stay at a hotel (provided the level of cleaning is at least reasonable). It tends to promote better room maintenance while I am still staying there and keeps them guessing whether there will be a tip today or not. Tipping on checkout is OK but does nothing to improve performance :-)

 

I almost always tipped 40php in restaurants, unless service was horrendous. Usually gave pizza guy 40php, trike drivers would get 300-500 php to take me (and only me) from downtown to home (Candau-Ay). I paid car park attendants 5 php. Occasionally would give the more helpful guards money on the sly (the ones that would go out of their way to assist me with putting wheelchair in the car and assisting my husband in and out of the car, etc...) I always gave our subdivision gate attendant 300php a week. I think I may have over-tipped in most instances, but I was always very happy to do it. It was a good feeling to share what I had with others.

 

I have heard that many times, and it may be true for students and low income filipinas. On the other hand I don't know any middle class filipinos who don't tip. Most filipinos with a reasonable income tip much better than I do. I watch them and I see it. They are not secretive about it. Keep eyes open and you will see it yourself.

 

I give the fellow at the smoke test around 100 pesos for doing the whole thing.
He gets a kickback from the insurance company as well. I think around 200 pesos.

 

We give the same 5 peso as I do not think that the designated fee is that well defined, just the Fee for the Attendant If the Guy is good (And there are quite a few Good Ones) and really keeps his attention to the Job, we give 10 peso

 

That's the first bellhop I have ever known who does not. But it reminds me, in Philippines when I leave a tip for the room cleaners I also leave a note to say how much I am leaving and who it is for. This is so the cleaner is not accused of stealing.