Pattaya Reports

I am not a Bit, but your general statement regarding tipping is "spot on." Always reward extra service.

[QUOTE=Hotman 666; 1450833]Skogis,

I don't think that you will EVER get people to agree on the 'Tip or not to tip' question.

As you say it depends on the culture you are from.

I am a Brit and our take on tips could probably be distilled into a few words.

I tip has to be EARNED by giving service over and above the normal service level. It is NOT an absolute RIGHT!

I have NO problem in tipping a few Baht when someone has gone out of their way to be helpful but, in MY opinion Tips have to be earned!

I posted in Cambodia forum a few years ago '. Plenty of nearby places to eat from breakfast time through to late evening. Many with young, sweet Cambodian or Vietnamese waitresses who like to practice English. These girls are paid around 2 US$/day so your tips are appreciated. '

This was based on the fact that these young girls went out of their way to make my meals enjoyable by chatting to me and generally keeping me company. A US$1. 00/2. 00 tip was a BIG percentage of my food bill (and of their daily wage) but, to me, was well worth while for the enjoyment I had and for the attention I got on my next visit.

Hotman.[/QUOTE]

Funniest thing. For years I use to stay at the Rajai Hotel on Osmena Circle. Every time I came the same lady was out there with a baby. I start noticing that, over the years, the baby never grew.

Will sometimes buy kids food.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht; 1450552]Didn't you notice:

* You find these "poor beggars" only in areas frequented by tourists.

* Only tourists give them money.

* Most of these beggars are not even Thai (according to my Thai GF) [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Streetwalker7;1450644]The guys that do overpay are such a minority, that it's a statistical non-event. LOL.[/QUOTE]No, a very huge percentage of tourists overpay. That is how the price was increased from 500 to whatever it is now (many people say it is 1000 baht!)

It hard to believe all this talk about demands and economy when it comes to P4P, since there are many guys always saying I'm on a holiday and I will pay what I want it won't hurt the market? This goes to tipping too? I once read some guy saying he was tipping at a 7/11?

When it comes to p4p what is normal usually doesn't fit since people would never pay more for a car, a bike, you guys know what I mean but when it comes to p4p any general rule gets thrown out the window. No matter how much we want to believe it just doesn't happen 100% of the time. We all have broken rule to satisfy the little head he and only he is in control when it comes to p4p or any pussy?

If you found out one guys was getting the same girls doing all the same things for 500 baht, and you found out you earlier paid her 2, 000 baht for most likely the same service one would actually still feel they would again pay 2, 000 if your answer is yes! Knock yourself out use whatever excuse you what as long as you feel good about it. Just don't apply the same thinking when it comes to the real world like renting a car!

LBM

[QUOTE=Opebo;1451220]No, a very huge percentage of tourists overpay. That is how the price was increased from 500 to whatever it is now (many people say it is 1000 baht!)[/QUOTE]Don't go there Opebo! It has been proved already by verbose overpayers that "the small ISG minority does not influence the market", that is "in itself self-correcting". And remember always the very first principle of a looser monger: "It's my money" (and "I got no balls" too).

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1451251]It hard to believe all this talk about demands and economy when it comes to P4P, since there are many guys always saying I'm on a holiday and I will pay what I want it won't hurt the market? This goes to tipping too? I once read some guy saying he was tipping at a 7/11?

When it comes to p4p what is normal usually doesn't fit since people would never pay more for a car, a bike, you guys know what I mean but when it comes to p4p any general rule gets thrown out the window. No matter how much we want to believe it just doesn't happen 100% of the time. We all have broken rule to satisfy the little head he and only he is in control when it comes to p4p or any pussy?

If you found out one guys was getting the same girls doing all the same things for 500 baht, and you found out you earlier paid her 2, 000 baht for most likely the same service one would actually still feel they would yagain pay 2, 000 if your answer is yes! Knock yourself out use whatever excuse you what as long as you feel good about it. Just don't apply the same thinking when it comes to the real world like renting a car!

LBM[/QUOTE]Well I have written about this subject a few times but I will say to extend this thinking me never beeing on vacation in south East Asia (SEA) but actually I am in some form from workingleasure combination, hehe. Inhave stated I was an overpayer and probably to some extent still is but I am better in lowering my compensation to my P4P'ies (in BKK normaly 3 K LT and in Patts between 2-3k and LT is sometimes to long but I can not pay less the longeR they stay or? It is my weak / modest personality allowing girls to stay).

Well, we can pretty much agree all members will not come to agreements regarding the matter discussed in tips, overpaying etc etc. Then it is a good comfort for the blessed educated ISG member he can make his own deal or change venue or tactics. There will allways be girls available and yeaterday I had one ruskie Elena in Soi 7/1 BKK starting at 1000 ST lowering herself down to 700 without me beeing able to pop in my rejection. For fun I just asked if I could get some pussy action for 500 and yes I could. But I was on my way and did not want to go with her for free (well seen her 30 times or so I have had some thoughts maby it would be good fun to give her some norwegian wood. But conclusion NO).

[QUOTE=Marcos;1451254]"looser monger"[/QUOTE]WTF! Based upon what I've read from you lately you seem to be the pot that calls the kettle black.

[QUOTE=Phordphan; 1450252]Most countries have some sort of tipping etiquette, but Americans take it far to the extreme.

[i]snip[/i]

Local masseuse? (Not the P4P kind) About 20 baht is appropriate. Local mom and pop restaurant? Zero tip. All money goes to the family. If you tip it looks like you don't think they're charging enough for the food. Mid-range restaurant? 15 to 20 baht per diner would be OK. Cabs? The locals usually round up to the nearest 10 baht, maybe an extra 10 baht thrown in.

When in doubt, don't tip at all. If you must, choose an amount that would get you screamed at by an American waitress and that should be about right.[/QUOTE]Right now, I'm fairly close to a massage girl and have had discussions over tipping with her on multiple occasions.

I agree that Americans tip too much, but I disagree that 20 baht tip is very much appreciated for an hour long massage. It's not terribly looked down upon, like a five baht tip would be, but it is certainly not considered appropriate. For a 250 THB foot massage, I'll give 300 THB total, and if really good (and the girl is hot) 350 THB.

Percentages are meaningless. The 15-20% rule is for restaurants in the States only. All other tips have different rules.

By the way, because different cultures tip differently, they do get different levels of service. Indians and Japanese are poor tippers according to my girl, so she avoids them if at all possible.

[QUOTE=RBDave; 1451391]Right now, I'm fairly close to a massage girl and have had discussions over tipping with her on multiple occasions.

I agree that Americans tip too much, but I disagree that 20 baht tip is very much appreciated for an hour long massage. It's not terribly looked down upon, like a five baht tip would be, but it is certainly not considered appropriate. For a 250 THB foot massage, I'll give 300 THB total[/QUOTE]Now the question remains as to where you are getting a foot massage for 250 baht. In all the places I go to a foot massage as well as a Thai massage is 99 or 100 baht. In your case you gave 20% but I know that you said it wasn't about percentages. So how much would you suggest I tip for the 100 baht massages that I always get?

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1451397]Now the question remains as to where you are getting a foot massage for 250 baht. In all the places I go to a foot massage as well as a Thai massage is 99 or 100 baht. In your case you gave 20% but I know that you said it wasn't about percentages. So how much would you suggest I tip for the 100 baht massages that I always get?[/QUOTE]To be honest, I forgot this was the Pattaya thread and the 250 baht foot massages are in Bangkok. In Pattaya, the places I go to charge 200 baht, I've only seen 100 baht along Soi Buakhao, but I don't stay in that area.

You can tip what you like. As they say,"Up to you". If you get good repeat service, then it is enough. I'd still tip a minimum of 50 baht if it were a good massage. In my opinion, tipping for a massage is more important than for a meal. With a massage, you are getting personal service for one hour. For a waitress though, she is only periodically dealing with you as a customer, and taking care of multiple customers at once.

Also, when tipping, be sure to give it to the girl directly. My girl has told me that the house will sometimes keep the tip and tell the girl the customer gave no tip.

On the wider subject of tipping, I tend not to tip any P4P girl where I pay the girl directly. And not tipping on any meal that includes a bogus "service charge". It's sad, as I'm sure the wait staff get none of that charge. But more importantly, I avoid that restaurant in the future.

I personally don't have a set standard as to tipping. As noted it is a American things and I'm American. The difference here is I'm not actually force to tip with a standard percentage.

There are times I don't tip or just leave the small change returned. Especially when I'm at a Thai place like for food, I'm not going to if I just ordering a bowl of noodles for 30 Baht.

I've been to massages place charging a variety of prices in Pattaya and Bangkok through the years and currently. This is one of my favorite things I do here foot and Thai massage and it has to be done right not just any place so when I find a place and a provider to the style I like I have no problem tipping! I've know many workers personal and it is hard work harder than cooking? So I have a standard no matter the price unless it is really bad, for every hour I tip them 50 baht, two hours 100 baht, I never think about the % here.

When I eat at Farang food like at the Beergarden, I usually no matter how large the bill not a big eater I leave a standard 20 baht. Sometimes I don't have a 20 baht and I a regular eater at the place I just leave whatever change is given back if under 20 baht.

At the Go Go's a little different especially if I'm a regular at the place. Again I set it from 10/20 depending on how long I stay. If I'm there for hours like 3 plus I leave 20 plus all the coins so it could be 30 bahts or more at times. There was a time when I was a Go Go I had this Farang sit next to me. We both got there during Happy hour, the price for drink was 70 baht, 3 hours later I already had 5 plus drinks and he was still on his first by now it was just water. When he finally was leaving he gave the guy 100 baht, that was 30 tip, for 3 hours taking up one of the best seat in the house. It doesn't make since sometimes but whatever drives a person is hard to gauge at times. If one is a regular / not a regular at a place I have no problem if they leave nothing or very little as long as you don't sit there for hours with the same drink and smoke!

The worse tipper is one who is on holiday, who has saved months for his trip and tip anyone who touches them? I seen first hand and personal that the guy is so happy to be in heaven, pent up for months and tips anyone and everyone at a go go 100 baht each, waiters etc. Even the bathroom attendant? I rather you just get up and toss them in the air like the Japanaese? And then complaint about the BF or the drinks are too expensive etc.

I once took a Songthaw ride from WS road to Soi 6, usually 10 baht to meet someone and didn't want to move my bike since I wanted to come back. I was somewhat in a hurry the ride was fast and he never stopped for anyone not sure why? But 5 minutes later Soi 6, I got off only had a 20 baht note. It was fast and I was happy I just gave him the 20 baht.

Does this all mean tipping is going to drive the market off the charts or cause inflation? All I do each day is do what I think is consistent and not stupid and I'm not sure if it is right or wrong and I'm not sure if someone who doesn't tip at all is right or wrong! I try not to judge anyone and I expect that in return.

And last then there is the tipping for service from the girls, that is the hardest of all, who is to judge what a individual get from the experience? It is hard to put a price on feelings and what one feels isn't what I might feel. But when the service is bad and you are getting ripped off it is easy to know what to tip? But when you enjoy and feel good and especially happy it is very hard to put a price on that sometimes?

Be consistent and try to meet a balance but in the end be happy?

LittleBigTipper,

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1451447]I personally don't have a set standard as to tipping. As noted it is a American things and I'm American.

This is one of my favorite things I do here foot and Thai massage and it has to be done right not just any place so when I find a place and a provider to the style I like I have no problem tipping! I've know many workers personal and it is hard work harder than cooking? So I have a standard no matter the price unless it is really bad, for every hour I tip them 50 baht, two hours 100 baht, I never think about the % here.

Does this all mean tipping is going to drive the market off the charts or cause inflation? All I do each day is do what I think is consistent and not stupid and I'm not sure if it is right or wrong and I'm not sure if someone who doesn't tip at all is right or wrong! I try not to judge anyone and I expect that in return.

And last then there is the tipping for service from the girls, that is the hardest of all, who is to judge what a individual get from the experience? It is hard to put a price on feelings and what one feels isn't what I might feel. But when the service is bad and you are getting ripped off it is easy to know what to tip? But when you enjoy and feel good and especially happy it is very hard to put a price on that sometimes?[/QUOTE]I'm pretty much the same. I mostly do FL girls so I stick with the agreed upon price and don't give any extra. But in the rare chance that I go to a place like Bliss where there is an established price I will usually give the girl an extra 100. When I get my manicure and pedicure done it would come out to 500 and I would give 100 tip. (I have found a new place where it only costs me 200 now and I also give her 100 tip.) At my barber, the haircut is 70, shave 70, and shampoo 70 and I always give her 300. I'm dating her now though, so I should be able to stop tipping no? Then from the airport I always negotiate 900 + 60 tolls and I just give him 1000. Going to the airport is 860, and I leave them with the full 1000 then as well. When I'm eating a meal under the tent at the market I don't leave a tip.

[QUOTE=RBDave;1451404]To be honest, I forgot this was the Pattaya thread and the 250 baht foot massages are in Bangkok. In Pattaya, the places I go to charge 200 baht, I've only seen 100 baht along Soi Buakhao, but I don't stay in that area.[/QUOTE]So many places about town offering 100B Foot and Thai massages besides just about every shop on Buakhao. Soi 13-1/BR has a couple of shops (New hope Massage is one but they just raised their price to 150B but will give you a free massage on the 11th visit). Edens Massage and the place next to it (Pattaya Klang/off 2d Road is also 100B). There's a little open air massage shop in a small tent on BR little pass Soi 6 and before you reach Soi 7 offering 100B foot massages and the ladies who patrol the beach with 200B foot massages will gladly drop their prices to secure customers. After cheap girls Pattaya is a buyers market for cheap massages, like the girls you have to know where to go to get the good massages.

[QUOTE=Run Mann;1451467]So many places about town offering 100B Foot and Thai massages besides just about every shop on Buakhao. Soi 13-1/BR has a couple of shops (New hope Massage is one but they just raised their price to 150B but will give you a free massage on the 11th visit). Edens Massage and the place next to it (Pattaya Klang/off 2d Road is also 100B). There's a little open air massage shop in a small tent on BR little pass Soi 6 and before you reach Soi 7 offering 100B foot massages and the ladies who patrol the beach with 200B foot massages will gladly drop their prices to secure customers. After cheap girls Pattaya is a buyers market for cheap massages, like the girls you have to know where to go to get the good massages.[/QUOTE]In my neighborhood, I get 150 baht Thai massages and tip 50 baht. Obviously, a much more demanding job then a waiter. To my understanding, the few 100 baht shops in Bangkok raised their price to 150 baht about 6 months ago. If anyone knows of a 100 baht shop in Bangkok along the BTS would be highly appreciated. I would not be surprised if their were 60 baht shops further out. If all else fails you can just find an Isaan girl. They were all brought up massaging their mom and dad and are about 40-80% as good as a professional.

[QUOTE=Opebo;1451220]No, a very huge percentage of tourists overpay. That is how the price was increased from 500 to whatever it is now (many people say it is 1000 baht!)[/QUOTE]Still is 500b for you and I