Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=BayBoy;1580802]A few years ago I was passing thru the Terminal de Transportes in Cali and saw a middle aged woman had a barbershop nook. So I stopped in and got a $3 haircut. It wasn't anything special just a regular haircut. But as I was paying her, she had that look on her face like she wanted a tip. Being the cheapskate that I am, I didn't tip her. But was a plagued with guilt pangs afterwards as I walked off. Should I have tipped her?[/QUOTE]Sorry to say, but yes.

Although tipping varies from country to country, even here in the USA, where tipping is most deeply ingrained, there are some industries where you classically tip. Barbers / hair stylists are one of them. Normally, you can just read a Lonely Planet book or something to get an idea of when to tip.

In general, you tip lower level service jobs where the person is paid by an employer. In these settings, the salaries are kept low because the expected tipping income is figured into the employer's mind as part of his salary. He wants it that way, to encourage workers to give good service. In return, the worker gets unrecorded, tax free income.

Any job where you negotiate directly with the provider is NOT a tipping job. For example, it is appropriate to tip a cab driver. But if you negotiate and agree on a price with a personal driver, you generally should not tip him. There are other ways that you can "tip" him, like buying him a beer at the strip club, but not direct cash. It jimmys the deal.

Other people may do differently, but this is general tipping etiquitte. Guys who tip ladies, then get amazed when they demand a tip, need to realize why that is the case. It is psychology 101. Just watch those old high school videos about rewarding monkeys for doing this or that.

[QUOTE=Socker;1580738]The funny thing is most times when you give a really big tip to a hooker she's not going to gush her appreciation for your generosity, no she's going to take it quickly and gesture w / a nod of appreciation. I always thought this odd. I gave this big tip and she barely acknowledges it. As a result I started to force myself to tip much less and I would get the same or better response.

And then it occurred to me, maybe these ladies thought I made a mistake w / their currency, hence over tip and took the money quickly w / out a fuss. That's what happens sometimes when over tipping, you get zero in return in the form of appreciation. I have learned over time to not over tip.[/QUOTE]I only tip chicks that have already showed me their appreciation.

Chicks that come over for an hour and end up staying 4 or 5.

Chicks that are very popular and break dates to be with me and answer their phone 24/7.

Doesn't really make much sense to tip chicks that you don't plan on seeing on a regular basis.

Sure lots of various tipping stories, so I will get into the waters with of few of my experiences. Today I visited my favorite centro casa, I always buy the mamasan there a beer. Today in the midst of bliss we ran 10 + minutes over the 60 minutes. I stopped at the desk to see mamasan on the way out, she gave me a big smile and a wave. That sure beats having your time cut short that I have seen many times at other casas. When I get average or better service I always tip the chica, if I was going to tip the chica and she asks for a tip before I give her one, I give her half of what I was going to give her, and she is put on my possibly no return list. In my fav panaderia in centro, cafe con leche is 1000 cop, I always give the chica 500 cop when I get even only one smile, no smiles no tip One sweetheart, she is younger than my grandaughter, there runs her hand over my shoulders when she walks by me so she gets 1000 cop tip, that is 100% and that is from a canuck and we are known for not tipping In restaurants I tip 10%, if no smiles and lousy service, no tip. Maybe some of you have not heard the joke in Florida about snowbirds from canada. What is the difference between a canadian and a canoe, a canoe tips.

[QUOTE=CaliHentai;1580839]I only tip chicks that have already showed me their appreciation.

Chicks that come over for an hour and end up staying 4 or 5.

Chicks that are very popular and break dates to be with me and answer their phone 24/7.

Doesn't really make much sense to tip chicks that you don't plan on seeing on a regular basis.[/QUOTE]I just made an observation and a guess at why it happens. I am trying to help other guys not make the same mistakes I've made.

I only tip for good service and after more than a few cocktails I can get pretty happy and over tip. I am also enamored w / some of these gals and so I want to give.

More to show my appreciation for the magic they provide. My observation is that tipping appropriately or over tipping are usually accepted w / a polite thank you or nod.

I would love it to hear a big laugh of joy and the little babe jumps up into my arms and says THANK YOU SOCKER!! Planting a big kiss on my cheek. Jaja.

Over tipping just isn't worth it, appropriate tipping is, IMO.

Cheers!

[QUOTE=Bart1;1580844]Sure lots of various tipping stories, so I will get into the waters with of few of my experiences. Today I visited my favorite centro casa, I always buy the mamasan there a beer. Today in the midst of bliss we ran 10 + minutes over the 60 minutes. I stopped at the desk to see mamasan on the way out, she gave me a big smile and a wave. That sure beats having your time cut short that I have seen many times at other casas. When I get average or better service I always tip the chica, if I was going to tip the chica and she asks for a tip before I give her one, I give her half of what I was going to give her, and she is put on my possibly no return list. In my fav panaderia in centro, cafe con leche is 1000 cop, I always give the chica 500 cop when I get even only one smile, no smiles no tip One sweetheart, she is younger than my grandaughter, there runs her hand over my shoulders when she walks by me so she gets 1000 cop tip, that is 100% and that is from a canuck and we are known for not tipping In restaurants I tip 10%, if no smiles and lousy service, no tip. Maybe some of you have not heard the joke in Florida about snowbirds from canada. What is the difference between a canadian and a canoe, a canoe tips.[/QUOTE]Yes, I do the same with the merchant girls. If they treat me with a smile and a little carress I also leave 1 k tip. Also on the other hand if I agree with a chica for 1 hour limit and we get into 2-3 hours then yes I give a little extra. Rhis happened to me a few times in CTG. Mostly with the LDV girls. A SW automatically asked for a tip I told her it was in the price. And good bye.

Maybe we should just clarify the semantics.

Tipping is when you give a percentage in addition to the total purchase price. It is not mandatory, but somewhat obligatory. Even if small, some tip is expected, and not to tip is considered impolite unless service was bad.

What most guys are doing is just deciding to give girls extra money for a job well done.

The problem is that when you call it a "tip," it means that giving it is obligatory. Then later down the line, the girls feel disrespected when you don't give it.

I never tip in Colombia, but the inverse things can happen sometimes. Last year, whenever I bought a piece of pastry at my fav panaderia in El Centro, a friendly girl at the shop always put an extra piece in the bag. That made me very happy. I may start tipping a few nice girls at panaderias this year.

[QUOTE=Bart1;1580844]In my fav panaderia in centro, cafe con leche is 1000 cop, I always give the chica 500 cop when I get even only one smile, no smiles no tip One sweetheart, she is younger than my grandaughter, there runs her hand over my shoulders when she walks by me so she gets 1000 cop tip, that is 100% and that is from a canuck and we are known for not tipping In restaurants I tip 10%, if no smiles and lousy service, no tip. Maybe some of you have not heard the joke in Florida about snowbirds from canada. What is the difference between a canadian and a canoe, a canoe tips.[/QUOTE].

[QUOTE=DonSterling;1580327]There is an important difference between respectfulness and generosity.

You are right about respectfulness. Colombians are tired of arrogant Gringos with anger management problems.

However, I disagree about tipping. Generosity is interpreted differently in Colombia. Do not tip in any situation where Colombian men do not tip, and do not tip greater amounts than Colombian men tip.

Generosity makes you a sucker in the eyes of Colombians. Colombians do not respect suckers. Colombians do not appreciate generous people...[/QUOTE]Wow, my simple suggestion regarding tipping the casa jefes grew some legs.

Back to my original example. Let's suppose I tip 4 casa jefes, 2 mil each, after going through 10 casas. This adds up to $4 total. If I am with someone else we are talking about $2 each. This was just a suggestion. Works for me.

As Ricker eluded to, it is about the vibe and friendliness. I don't feel comfortable passing through some of these places, some for as much as a year or more, without taking any girls. I do believe that these tips do not go unrewarded also. I find myself in many situations where things just seem to go my way. Maybe it is the karma? Probably just my attitude with the tips helping a little.

Don Sterling, I can see that you understand Colombian culture and have been around Colombians. IMO there are threads of truth in many of your assertions. I don't agree with not tipping and doing exactly as Colombians do though. I enjoy tipping 1-2 mil and receiving the warm responses. Also, I am never viewed as a sucker. It is all about finding the balance and repeating the habit. Same applies with the girls.

[QUOTE=Manny51;1580745]I was going to pass this by, but this topic is sticking around and it irks me.

Tipping is stupid. Tipping is for workers in service related industries, like waitresses, cleaning ladies, and cabbies, who are paid very low wages by their employer and you tip them to supplement them for good or friendly service,
[/QUOTE]The ultimate service work is prostitution and so I guess you can do w / out good or friendly service when seeking sexual services.

Hookers who have a fair amount of business can make really good money and that's how it should be. I can't think of a harder job than prostituton, where the lady drinks and parties w / you for YOUR pleasure and YOUR entertainment.

This job has extremely serious downsides yet the good hookers maintain a level of class and respect w / in their ranks and w / their clients.

So some might do very well, and tips are part of their success and some are paid very little and rely on tips to make ends meet.

I was just in Angeles City and I didn't see a lot a well off BGs. I saw hard working ladies dancing for hours w / various levels of desperation, a few popular ladies, all of which none were well off.

Ask them if tipping is stupid.

Prostitution is 100% service oriented and it's the hardest profession to provide good service, yet they try almost every time.

Thanks for your opinion. The above is mine. We are all a little different as it should be. Wouldn't it be freaking boring if we were all the same.....everything is as it should be here and everywhere.

I want to thank my mom for having me 6 decades ago :)

[QUOTE=Manny51;1580745]

Tipping is stupid ...
...paradoxically, in the long run, lots of tipping in general makes the girls less happy.[/QUOTE]In the short run though it gives added incentive, especially if you know what you're doing.

I don't care about the long run. Five years from now when she's washed up in the business and a hardened pro demanding tips, and less happy because the tips just aren't there.

I've already moved on.

Tipping being stupid is your opinion.

To me tipping is a tool.

I don't condone over tipping like a fool. Like Socker said, it really doesn't get you any further than a small, appreciative tip will.

To each their own really.

[QUOTE=Manny51;1580852]
The problem is that when you call it a "tip," it means that giving it is obligatory. Then later down the line, the girls feel disrespected when you don't give it.[/QUOTE]That's funny, I never feel like giving a tip or gratuity is obligatory, and by definition it isn't either:

1. a gift or reward, usually of money, for services rendered; tip.

2. something given without claim or obligation.

Straight from the dictionary.

If a girl performs normally, nothing special, don't tip.

If she performs exceptionally and you'd like to reward her, show your appreciation and tip if you'd like. Of course you don't have to.

If she then, in another encounter, doesn't perform well again, don't tip.

If she feels disrespected or asks why no tip this time, tell her why.

Ain't rocket science.

[QUOTE=Manny51;1580852]Maybe we should just clarify the semantics.

Tipping is when you give a percentage in addition to the total purchase price. It is not mandatory, but somewhat obligatory. Even if small, some tip is expected, and not to tip is considered impolite unless service was bad.

What most guys are doing is just deciding to give girls extra money for a job well done.

The problem is that when you call it a "tip," it means that giving it is obligatory. Then later down the line, the girls feel disrespected when you don't give it.[/QUOTE]

In Colombia I pay the service provider and then I hand them the "tip" and say " y la propina voluntaria". The phrase is so common. Yet. Somewhat unexpected when tipping a prepago that it often elicits at least a smile.

[QUOTE=Socker;1580857]The ultimate service work is prostitution and so I guess you can do w / out good or friendly service when seeking sexual services.

Hookers who have a fair amount of business can make really good money and that's how it should be. I can't think of a harder job than prostituton, where the lady drinks and parties w / you for YOUR pleasure and YOUR entertainment.

This job has extremely serious downsides yet the good hookers maintain a level of class and respect w / in their ranks and w / their clients.

So some might do very well, and tips are part of their success and some are paid very little and rely on tips to make ends meet.

I was just in Angeles City and I didn't see a lot a well off BGs. I saw hard working ladies dancing for hours w / various levels of desperation, a few popular ladies, all of which none were well off.

Ask them if tipping is stupid.

Prostitution is 100% service oriented and it's the hardest profession to provide good service, yet they try almost every time.

Thanks for your opinion. The above is mine. We are all a little different as it should be. Wouldn't it be freaking boring if we were all the same.....everything is as it should be here and everywhere.

I want to thank my mom for having me 6 decades ago :)[/QUOTE]Of course I respect your opinion and everyone's right to have one.

But your position is that prostitution is hard work, and that you appreciate what they do.

So why don't you just pay them more? Nothing wrong with that.

The problem is that if you call it "tipping," then over time it becomes expected. Just read the forums. Everyone once in a while someone will complain about girls getting surly when you don't tip them.

[QUOTE=Ricker;1580864]That's funny, I never feel like giving a tip or gratuity is obligatory, and by definition it isn't either:

1. a gift or reward, usually of money, for services rendered; tip.

2. something given without claim or obligation.

Straight from the dictionary.

If a girl performs normally, nothing special, don't tip.

If she performs exceptionally and you'd like to reward her, show your appreciation and tip if you'd like. Of course you don't have to.

If she then, in another encounter, doesn't perform well again, don't tip.

If she feels disrespected or asks why no tip this time, tell her why.

Ain't rocket science.[/QUOTE]Where did you get that definition? Any definition in cultural context should include that, in an economic and cultural sense, at least some tip is obligatory. You know that full well that if you go to a a restaurant and don't tip the waitress, she will be mad, and you will feel bad. You know what I mean. Don't draw this out for the sake of arguing over semantics. I'm just trying to straighten out the semantics.

Speaking of restaurants, I've seen a lot of mongers who don't even look at a restaurant bill and see that the gratuity has already been put on the bill. Which is usually 10%. They just throw on a tip to whatever the amount is and don't realize they've already been charged.