Dennis143 Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I don't recall anyone ever refusing a tip, nor not having a huge smile after I gave them one. However, it has been stated here in CFL that if a person begs or just receives a gratuity it may be looked upon as demeaning. One night in Yangshou, my former SO and I were having dinner at the hotel restuarant. A young woman attended to our table. She never left us and just stood at the ready, if we should need anything. After dinner, I told my SO to be sure to give the girl a tip. She gave her 5 Yuan. I gave her and extra $5.00. As we left, the girl just stood, staring at the money that was in her hand. Now, I wander if it was considered an insult. Did she think that I was giving her a handout? Link to comment
Randy W Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 My finances are handled the same way David's are in China - hand the wallet over to the S.O, and get it back when leaving. I have no idea how much tipping she did, if any. I see a new trip there on your timeline - I hope it works out for you. Link to comment
david_dawei Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Not sure if this was started from my comment about 'giving money'... My SO NEVER tips... and said to never do it. I know that some areas are different or fancy hotels/resturants could have this gratuity even expected. My intented meaning [in another thread] was nothing to do with tipping... although I believe this is generally not done. If someone thinks it is an insult, they will refuse it... Link to comment
Phil & Ningning Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Where is Tipping? Is it in Guangdong? Link to comment
bubbafred10 Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 One time I tipped the taxi driver. He was surprised and initially refused ( gave it back to me) probably thinking I don't know how to count. So I put 20 yuan in his shirt pocket and I said "thank you". It was a tip for driving so efficiently and fast to the airport. I never tell my laopo, for she would spank my ears good. Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted October 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 In hindsight, we probably should stop our practice of tipping. Someday, it may come back to haunt us...I can already see those tip jars showing up everywhere in China...ugh! Link to comment
notrevorich Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Not sure if this was started from my comment about 'giving money'... My SO NEVER tips... and said to never do it. I know that some areas are different or fancy hotels/resturants could have this gratuity even expected. My intented meaning [in another thread] was nothing to do with tipping... although I believe this is generally not done. If someone thinks it is an insult, they will refuse it...164650[/snapback]the So runs things for me while I am in China , and tipping is torally out she also likes to negoiate cab fares Link to comment
Joanne Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Tipping is not necessary in China. In US, tipping is part of the pay for the waiter/waitress in restaurant and housekeepers in hotels. In China, the wage given by empoyers are figured out without considering tipping. In some fancy hotels/testaurant where services are mostly geared to international travellers, a 15% service fee has already been included in your bills no matter you want to tip or not. However, people who have frequently offer service to foreigners know tipping. Sometimes they are unhappy if you don't tip. They should not expect your tipping though. I usually don't tip, in China, when service provided to me are standard, in a sense that it is required by the employers. If they go out of their way to provide needed extra service, I will tip to show my gratitude. Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted October 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Yes, I understand Joanne. But, the young woman who attended our dinner seemed very surprised to receive this cash. As, she just stood looking at it, as if she wasn't sure what to do with it. I hope she figured it out. I know tipping isn't necessary. I remember jumping into a pedicab, one evening in Nanning. The woman driver held up two fingers, (I think she saw that I was a west man and wanted to make an extra Yuan off me). I held up four fingers and she pedaled me to my hotel. I realized that, for some reason, it was extra enjoyable to be pedaled around by a woman. When we reached the hotel, I gave her 10 Yuan and the look on her face was priceless. God, what joy I get for my dollar. I love China. I'll be there again, next week. Link to comment
Joanne Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 About this tipping, I have another story of my own. That was more than 15 years ago. I worked as a interpretor for a couply of university guests from Austria, accompanying them to a nearby town for sightseeing. There happened to be a downpour, and I got wet getting umbrella for us. They handed me 50 USD end of that day. (50USD is about two month salary for me at that time) I was at first embrassed, then tried to refuse and said something like whatever I did was my duty, etc. They said it was not by duty to get soaking wet. I was "forced" to take the money. I reported to my boss immediately (too inexperienced to handle such a tough situation alone ) and adviced to keep the dollor bills and buy some gifts for the guests. So I did. To "keep my heart at rest"(is this an odd expression?), I spent all 50 dollars plus some more out of my pocket. Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted October 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 About this tipping, I have another story of my own. That was more than 15 years ago. I worked as a interpretor for a couply of university guests from Austria, accompanying them to a nearby town for sightseeing. There happened to be a downpour, and I got wet getting umbrella for us. They handed me 50 USD end of that day. (50USD is about two month salary for me at that time) I was at first embrassed, then tried to refuse and said something like whatever I did was my duty, etc. They said it was not by duty to get soaking wet. I was "forced" to take the money. I reported to my boss immediately (too inexperienced to handle such a tough situation alone ) and adviced to keep the dollor bills and buy some gifts for the guests. So I did. To "keep my heart at rest"(is this an odd expression?), I spent all 50 dollars plus some more out of my pocket.164694[/snapback]Oh, Joanne, say it ain't so!!! You spent two month's salary on gifts for these people??? Why would you let them "loose face"? So, looking back, how do you feel about this today? And, were your feelings about their tip typical feelings of others in China today, if they were to receive such a large tip? 50 bucks? I can only guess Bob is from Austria. Link to comment
Joanne Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I don't regret. I haven't ever put that 50 dollars in my possession, so it was not a lost for me. Most of people in China will still feel the same, except some are so used to tipping. Link to comment
BillV 8-16-2004 Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 (edited) I don't recall anyone ever refusing a tip, nor not having a huge smile after I gave them one. However, it has been stated here in CFL that if a person begs or just receives a gratuity it may be looked upon as demeaning. One night in Yangshou, my former SO and I were having dinner at the hotel restuarant. A young woman attended to our table. She never left us and just stood at the ready, if we should need anything. After dinner, I told my SO to be sure to give the girl a tip. She gave her 5 Yuan. I gave her and extra $5.00. As we left, the girl just stood, staring at the money that was in her hand. Now, I wander if it was considered an insult. Did she think that I was giving her a handout?164639[/snapback]I have always been under the impression that it is considered an insult and shows disrespect by leaving a tip, my wife never leaves a tip and I let her handled the money. I have heard this is changing in some of the larger cities, which are becoming Americanize. I have also been told not to give beggars any money and to ignore them. But I do give my little money to handicapped children and people though, which my wife has no problem with. Edited November 1, 2005 by BillV 8-16-2004 (see edit history) Link to comment
Tony_onrock Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 The several places where you tip:1). four or five star hotels. They expect it.2). Foot Massage places. They need it. A one hour foot massage costs 30 RMB, the girls gets 10 to 15, with no salary and work 12 hour shifts. So I generally give them a 10 to 20 RMB tip.3). Body massage places. If you do not want to tip, tell them ahead of time and they will arrange for the real massage. Otherwise, they send in some one expecting to get a tip who will be very upset if none is coming.4). Girl friends... who are just one step short of SO. ( ooops, did I say something wrong again?) Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Well, I'm just going to continue tipping everyone who gives me good service. Period. I am sure that their moment of feeling insulted will quickly pass, when they look at the amount of my tip! Link to comment
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