Spa tipping?
Apr 5th, 2007, 11:36 AM
#5
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Hi Lesm
We went to Healthlands in BKK. Its a great spa place that a local took us to that was pretty much geared for the upper middle class Thai's with farrangs thrown in for good measure! =)
We had a great 3 hour traditional massage and when we finished as we got changed and left, we were greeted/farewelled at the door by our masseurs.
We just smiled and said thanks for a great massage and boy were they not happy! It wasnt until later that we clicked that they were hoping for a tip and we felt really bad.
We also found that Spa's in Chaing Mai did not have this practice. When you finish your massage the masseur dissappears!
Our take on this is that, given the exchange rate and how much the same service would have cost us at home we tend to tip whilst in SE Asia.
Hope this helps
Eek =)
We went to Healthlands in BKK. Its a great spa place that a local took us to that was pretty much geared for the upper middle class Thai's with farrangs thrown in for good measure! =)
We had a great 3 hour traditional massage and when we finished as we got changed and left, we were greeted/farewelled at the door by our masseurs.
We just smiled and said thanks for a great massage and boy were they not happy! It wasnt until later that we clicked that they were hoping for a tip and we felt really bad.
We also found that Spa's in Chaing Mai did not have this practice. When you finish your massage the masseur dissappears!
Our take on this is that, given the exchange rate and how much the same service would have cost us at home we tend to tip whilst in SE Asia.
Hope this helps
Eek =)
Apr 5th, 2007, 07:04 PM
#7
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I am not a Spa user, but my wife tells me that she tips 50Baht if she is having a full treatment.
As Kathie has said, tipping is not normally expected in Thailand, but some visitors have, unfortunately, raised expectations.
The only people I tip consistently are the parking attendants as tips are normally the only payment they receive. Other staff are properly paid.
As Kathie has said, tipping is not normally expected in Thailand, but some visitors have, unfortunately, raised expectations.
The only people I tip consistently are the parking attendants as tips are normally the only payment they receive. Other staff are properly paid.
Apr 6th, 2007, 12:03 PM
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But we are not in the States, we are in Thailand where tipping is not in the same proportion. A small tip is always welcome but only for good service and certainly never more than 10% and even less.
Apr 6th, 2007, 01:00 PM
#12
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Yes, you're right, I shouldn't have put the "almost" . I live in Europe and strongly condemn any obligation to tip a determined amount of money. In Europe we give what we think it's deserved. No obligation, I think it's silly and I have been insulted the first time I went to NY, also the first time in the USA ,by a taxi driver because I didn't tip him enough.
Apr 6th, 2007, 01:36 PM
#13
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Tipping in Thailand, like the most of Asia, is entirely optional, regardless of service.
But it is a question of how YOU would feel if you didn't give a tip. It's better to part with a few extra baht than have that nagging sensation of guilt.
But it is a question of how YOU would feel if you didn't give a tip. It's better to part with a few extra baht than have that nagging sensation of guilt.
Apr 6th, 2007, 02:16 PM
#14
I follow the local custom. Just like I respect other customs of the countries where I travel ... whether or not I like them and whether or not I think their customs are silly. I simply abide by them and therefore feel no guilt.
I actually went to a spa for the first time recently, at Caesars Palace. It was a comp and included a 10% tip for the masseuse and 5% for the attendants in the men's area. So I will consider that to be a standard for the USA.
I actually went to a spa for the first time recently, at Caesars Palace. It was a comp and included a 10% tip for the masseuse and 5% for the attendants in the men's area. So I will consider that to be a standard for the USA.
Apr 6th, 2007, 06:51 PM
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Am curious, Tangata, is the 50 THB a percentage of the spa charges? Or is it a flat rate tip, like a valet tip?
It would be a flat tip, not a percentage. For a meal in an inexpensive restaurant she will tip about 20 Baht, in a more upmarket place 40 Baht. For a buffet nothing.
It would be a flat tip, not a percentage. For a meal in an inexpensive restaurant she will tip about 20 Baht, in a more upmarket place 40 Baht. For a buffet nothing.
Apr 6th, 2007, 08:46 PM
#16
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"Tipping in Thailand, like the most of Asia, is entirely optional, regardless of service."
Sorry but that statement is the equivalent of saying that tipping your dentist in the US is optional.
It's not a matter of what is optional, it's a matter of following the local norms and customs.
If the locals do not tip for a particular service in an area, the tourists/visitors shouldn't either.
Guilt should have nothing to do with it. If you don't want to feel guilty don't behave in a manner that is contrary to local customs and norms as this has a negative impact.
Tipping in countries and/or for services where tipping is not a part of the local compensation should not be done.
Although you may feel that you want to do it and can afford it, the impact is a negative that literally changes the local economy.
No, tipping where tipping is not done will not stop the earth from spinning or cause gravity to lose its hold, but in country after country the impact of foreigners and visitors tipping has hastened changes that really are not in anyones best interest.
Sooooo.....if the locals don't tip for a service neither should you.
Afterall, you wouldn't tip the clerk at your local convenience store...tipping a cab driver/tour guide/bellman/masseuse/etc. in a country where tipping is not the local custom is the same thing as tipping the clerk at the local 7-11 in the US. (It's just not done as the wages for the job are base on it being a non-tipped position).
Now I realize that some of you generous souls are sitting their shaking your heads at this post. I am not a cheap person, I just don't believe that as tourist and travellers that we should "buck" the local system and standards.
Sorry but that statement is the equivalent of saying that tipping your dentist in the US is optional.
It's not a matter of what is optional, it's a matter of following the local norms and customs.
If the locals do not tip for a particular service in an area, the tourists/visitors shouldn't either.
Guilt should have nothing to do with it. If you don't want to feel guilty don't behave in a manner that is contrary to local customs and norms as this has a negative impact.
Tipping in countries and/or for services where tipping is not a part of the local compensation should not be done.
Although you may feel that you want to do it and can afford it, the impact is a negative that literally changes the local economy.
No, tipping where tipping is not done will not stop the earth from spinning or cause gravity to lose its hold, but in country after country the impact of foreigners and visitors tipping has hastened changes that really are not in anyones best interest.
Sooooo.....if the locals don't tip for a service neither should you.
Afterall, you wouldn't tip the clerk at your local convenience store...tipping a cab driver/tour guide/bellman/masseuse/etc. in a country where tipping is not the local custom is the same thing as tipping the clerk at the local 7-11 in the US. (It's just not done as the wages for the job are base on it being a non-tipped position).
Now I realize that some of you generous souls are sitting their shaking your heads at this post. I am not a cheap person, I just don't believe that as tourist and travellers that we should "buck" the local system and standards.
Apr 7th, 2007, 06:26 AM
#17
I'm with you, cj! I live in the US, and it's never occurred to me to tip my massage therapist here, any more than I would tip my chiropractor or my tax accountant. But I don't go to spas. In Bangkok, if I want a massage, I go to the Wat Pho massage school, where I also wouldn't think of tipping.
In general, I think tipping is an unfortunate practice best left at home, and not exported to countries not yet infected. But we already fought that battle at http://www.fodorsguides.com/forums/t...p;tid=34949840
In general, I think tipping is an unfortunate practice best left at home, and not exported to countries not yet infected. But we already fought that battle at http://www.fodorsguides.com/forums/t...p;tid=34949840
Apr 7th, 2007, 08:15 AM
#18
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Interesting thread. I get facials regularly here in NY and always tip 15-20 percent. That is considered standard. Just like at the hair salon. I'm going to Thailand in Sept. and plan on getting many massages LOl. I won't tip like I do here but I would feel weird not tipping at all. Especially if I go to an actually spa as opposed to a street massage. Seems some people here do tip and others don't. Like some one said a few extra baht isn't going to hurt me and if it takes away my guilt of not tipping that's what I'll do.
Apr 7th, 2007, 11:18 AM
#19
When rich foreigners come into a market they drive up prices for the locals. If a tip becomes expected then some locals will be priced out.
I suspect that the act of tipping by foreigners in a non-tipping society would tend to drive up the base price too, as the service providers see that the foreigners find the existing price plus 20% is still a bargain. But then again, for many things that locals and tourists buy, there is two-tiered pricing.
I suspect that the act of tipping by foreigners in a non-tipping society would tend to drive up the base price too, as the service providers see that the foreigners find the existing price plus 20% is still a bargain. But then again, for many things that locals and tourists buy, there is two-tiered pricing.
Apr 7th, 2007, 12:24 PM
#20
Maybe someone can explain why not tipping is so difficult? Why is this not something where "when in Rome do as the Romans" should apply? If an American goes to the UK, she doesn't insist on driving on the right side of the road. Why insist on tipping in a non-tipping country???
