Tipping in India
May 29th, 2009, 07:47 AM
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Tipping in India
We now have our hotels booked for our November trip to northern India. Any advice about tipping? How much to give drivers, porters, waiters, room attendants and others? We'll have a car and driver for portions of the trip, but will use other transport as well. I assume we'll get some rupees in the airport in Delhi when we arrive, then get cash from ATMs as the trip progresses.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 29th, 2009, 04:43 PM
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Biggest thing about tipping in India is not to OVER tip! Don't base it on US amounts and not everyone needs to be tipped and don't let them think you are willing to pull your wallet out easily.
Hopefully someone who has recently been in India will give you some accurate guidelines for amounts.
Hopefully someone who has recently been in India will give you some accurate guidelines for amounts.
May 30th, 2009, 01:36 AM
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In India drivers, waiters and porters in the tourist area are in well paid jobs with access to hard currency so they do very well.
As Jaya says, forget about US levels of tipping. Rounding up the bill, leaving a few small coins if the service has been satisfactory.
I have always used Company drivers who are on contract but the one thing that I do make sure of is that if I have a driver waiting for me whilst I have a meal I give hi, enough to get himself something to eat. Twenty of thirty Rp is more than enough. Also, if he drops me off at the airport around midnight, when a lot of flights leave, I always give a final 100Rp.
Hotel prices are outrageous enough without tipping over the top.
As Jaya says, forget about US levels of tipping. Rounding up the bill, leaving a few small coins if the service has been satisfactory.
I have always used Company drivers who are on contract but the one thing that I do make sure of is that if I have a driver waiting for me whilst I have a meal I give hi, enough to get himself something to eat. Twenty of thirty Rp is more than enough. Also, if he drops me off at the airport around midnight, when a lot of flights leave, I always give a final 100Rp.
Hotel prices are outrageous enough without tipping over the top.
May 30th, 2009, 11:11 AM
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My understanding is that drivers and porters and also guides are not so well paid and that they rely on tips. Nothing wrong with being generous in instances where you received great service, especially when the driver or guide have been with you for many days.
May 30th, 2009, 06:48 PM
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Why is it that when people visit a poorer country that they don't feel the need to tip?
A large tip in rupees when converted into USD is a pittance...it's easy to be generous in India. Let your conscience be your guide...good service anywhere deserves a good tip...isn't that how it's supposed to be?
People working in the tourist trade depend on good tips...good service, good tip. That encourages more good people to work in the tourist trade...perhaps we will then get good trained guides in India as well.
Just a thought.
A large tip in rupees when converted into USD is a pittance...it's easy to be generous in India. Let your conscience be your guide...good service anywhere deserves a good tip...isn't that how it's supposed to be?
People working in the tourist trade depend on good tips...good service, good tip. That encourages more good people to work in the tourist trade...perhaps we will then get good trained guides in India as well.
Just a thought.
May 31st, 2009, 12:00 AM
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Hi magical: this is a fascinating topic. The only problem with your totally kind and understandable reaction is that, in India at least, you are far more likely to be taken as a fool than a guardian angel. I can assure you that people in the tourist trade are vastly better off than the rest. Tipping well is not going to attract a soul to the industry; they are clamouring at the gates trying to get IN!
There's an old show-biz saying 'There's a sucker born every minute'. So it is in the tourist trade in India. You must follow your conscience - so do I, but I choose to channel those rupees to someoneone who REALLY needs them.
The interesting part, for me, is to determine just who those people actually are.
Do I sound hard-hearted? Probably. India can do that to you. This whole topic is an industry over there... an industry entirely dependent on your kindness. Everything is Business - the Compassion Business.
That said, I tip. I'm not ashamed to say that self-interest comes into the transaction some of the time. If I'm staying a while I'll tip the guy who carries the bags up to my room. Ten rupees, twenty max. That send the word out that I'm not a complete arse, guaranteeing me good service from the rest of the staff. Then, when I leave, if I intend coming back, I distribute.
I know this sounds mean, but I've discovered that about ten rupees a day for the housekeepers seems to make them very happy indeed. Tangata and Jaya's tips are right on the money.
The clue is to have a LOT of ten/twenty rupee notes in a separate pocket. I always find it vulgar to unfurl a wad of cash and select the smallest bill.
I agree we all have to examine our conscience on this - but sometimes I've discovered in myself that I'm actually tipping to make ME feel good, because I'm confused or think it's expected, not because anything overly special has been provided.
Such a complicated issue. I hope nothing I say offends you.
There's an old show-biz saying 'There's a sucker born every minute'. So it is in the tourist trade in India. You must follow your conscience - so do I, but I choose to channel those rupees to someoneone who REALLY needs them.
The interesting part, for me, is to determine just who those people actually are.
Do I sound hard-hearted? Probably. India can do that to you. This whole topic is an industry over there... an industry entirely dependent on your kindness. Everything is Business - the Compassion Business.
That said, I tip. I'm not ashamed to say that self-interest comes into the transaction some of the time. If I'm staying a while I'll tip the guy who carries the bags up to my room. Ten rupees, twenty max. That send the word out that I'm not a complete arse, guaranteeing me good service from the rest of the staff. Then, when I leave, if I intend coming back, I distribute.
I know this sounds mean, but I've discovered that about ten rupees a day for the housekeepers seems to make them very happy indeed. Tangata and Jaya's tips are right on the money.
The clue is to have a LOT of ten/twenty rupee notes in a separate pocket. I always find it vulgar to unfurl a wad of cash and select the smallest bill.
I agree we all have to examine our conscience on this - but sometimes I've discovered in myself that I'm actually tipping to make ME feel good, because I'm confused or think it's expected, not because anything overly special has been provided.
Such a complicated issue. I hope nothing I say offends you.
May 31st, 2009, 06:54 AM
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It is a complicated issue, isn't it dogster. No offense taken.
But the main thing is that you TIP. Unlike someone who gets confused, or upset to the point that they leave without a tip.
Let's face it...we all do things for our own good. So tipping to get better service is what it's all about. And tipping makes you feel good. Obviously, more tips when the service is better. So you are right on...dogster.
"The clue is to have a LOT of ten/twenty rupee notes in a separate pocket"....I find that itself is a challenge...how do you get enough of the tens & twenties available constantly.
Yeah, they are clamoring to get into the tourist trade...but it's like that in every phase of life when the population is as large as it is in India (and poor). My feeling is that if there is good money, then it will attract better "trained" guides etc to the tourist trade. It usually works that way...most of the time.
I think we are not talking about tipping over the top. I am talking about tipping the same percentage rate as elsewhere in the world...and not short changing because poor people can do with less. I am incensed when a 15-20% tip is added to the bill in Paris BEFORE service. Or when a small curbside cafe adds 25% tip to purchase of a coke in Monaco.
I would much rather tip generously when the service is good than be told that if you are in Paris, you automatically are forced to tip. 'nough said.
But the main thing is that you TIP. Unlike someone who gets confused, or upset to the point that they leave without a tip.
Let's face it...we all do things for our own good. So tipping to get better service is what it's all about. And tipping makes you feel good. Obviously, more tips when the service is better. So you are right on...dogster.
"The clue is to have a LOT of ten/twenty rupee notes in a separate pocket"....I find that itself is a challenge...how do you get enough of the tens & twenties available constantly.
Yeah, they are clamoring to get into the tourist trade...but it's like that in every phase of life when the population is as large as it is in India (and poor). My feeling is that if there is good money, then it will attract better "trained" guides etc to the tourist trade. It usually works that way...most of the time.
I think we are not talking about tipping over the top. I am talking about tipping the same percentage rate as elsewhere in the world...and not short changing because poor people can do with less. I am incensed when a 15-20% tip is added to the bill in Paris BEFORE service. Or when a small curbside cafe adds 25% tip to purchase of a coke in Monaco.
I would much rather tip generously when the service is good than be told that if you are in Paris, you automatically are forced to tip. 'nough said.
May 31st, 2009, 08:35 AM
#9
"I am talking about tipping the same percentage rate as elsewhere in the world" - there is no one standard percentage. It varies from zero in Japan and China to 20% in New York. I would prefer a system where people are paid a proper wage, and no one tips, but I tip according to local custom. The OP is trying to find out what the local custom is in India.
May 31st, 2009, 10:31 AM
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I do wonder if there is a local custom in India. Actually locals don't tip well and those who earn from tips rely on foreign tourists (Except Russinas. 
One cabbie told me he hated them because they don't tip at all). My rule which has worked well for about 5 trips there is 15-20% IN RUPEES for restaurant bills and like the others have said have alot of smaller notes for misc. tips to porters, etc. Yes, its easy to tip more if you have a stronger foreign currency but as dogster said don't be taken for a fool while you think you are acting like a benefactor. And don't be afraid to say no if the tip is protested. Once I recall going to Nirulas restaurant in Delhi in the heart of CP. Well the sx. was lousy and our waiter acted like he couldn't be bothered. Until he saw the tip. He looked at me in shock and I told him in no uncertain tone that the sx. was very poor. Lets say I had no regrets about what I said and how I said it. 
Well we happened to go there the next day for lunch, had the same guy and this time he hustled. And got tipped very well. My best advice is to give a tip according to what you think is fair per these guidelines, then walk away.
One cabbie told me he hated them because they don't tip at all). My rule which has worked well for about 5 trips there is 15-20% IN RUPEES for restaurant bills and like the others have said have alot of smaller notes for misc. tips to porters, etc. Yes, its easy to tip more if you have a stronger foreign currency but as dogster said don't be taken for a fool while you think you are acting like a benefactor. And don't be afraid to say no if the tip is protested. Once I recall going to Nirulas restaurant in Delhi in the heart of CP. Well the sx. was lousy and our waiter acted like he couldn't be bothered. Until he saw the tip. He looked at me in shock and I told him in no uncertain tone that the sx. was very poor. Lets say I had no regrets about what I said and how I said it. Well we happened to go there the next day for lunch, had the same guy and this time he hustled. And got tipped very well. My best advice is to give a tip according to what you think is fair per these guidelines, then walk away.
May 31st, 2009, 01:25 PM
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The fact that the "locals don't tip well" is the standard in India and should not be held up against how we tip in the US.
Further, it's naive to assume giving big tips will in anyway advance that person's lot in life. Too many times that extra money never makes it home to the wife and kids or get put towards household expenses.
If you feel giving a little extra is warranted, then do so but keep it within the realm of "reasonable extra". If a tip is 50 rupees, don't go crazy and give 500 rupees because to YOU it's only like $10.
Further, it's naive to assume giving big tips will in anyway advance that person's lot in life. Too many times that extra money never makes it home to the wife and kids or get put towards household expenses.
If you feel giving a little extra is warranted, then do so but keep it within the realm of "reasonable extra". If a tip is 50 rupees, don't go crazy and give 500 rupees because to YOU it's only like $10.
May 31st, 2009, 01:34 PM
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Jaya: I think you are being too sensitive. No one, esp. me made a reference to how Indians tip here. I'm the last person to be biased about them. I've been married to my Rajasthani ruby for over 30 yrs. 
May 31st, 2009, 09:21 PM
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Ok, to get back to the original question that indianapearl asked, and to which jacketwatch seemed to imply...what is the custom for tipping in India. Because India is such a diverse country...with diverse income levels, it is difficult to say what a standard custom is. But at the places a tourist will be going to... decent tip is the norm...for good service, of course.
Here is my rule of thumb...for places outside USA including Europe and including India. (Although most places in Europe tack on a tip to the bill...so check before tipping extra)
Waiters in restaurants... 10-15%.Rarely 20%.
Room attendants...follow the guideline given by the hotel...if none, then 10%.
Drivers....for good service,10-15%. A good driver can save you time and be safe too.
Guides...based on quality of service and knowledge.
Porters....small bills (tens/twenties depending on number of bags etc).
Roadside cafes...usually a small tip....be careful when you eat at roadside cafes, if at all.
Just an observation...Americans are by far the best tippers...and generally get the best service when they travel.
Hope this answers your question, indianapearl.
Here is my rule of thumb...for places outside USA including Europe and including India. (Although most places in Europe tack on a tip to the bill...so check before tipping extra)
Waiters in restaurants... 10-15%.Rarely 20%.
Room attendants...follow the guideline given by the hotel...if none, then 10%.
Drivers....for good service,10-15%. A good driver can save you time and be safe too.
Guides...based on quality of service and knowledge.
Porters....small bills (tens/twenties depending on number of bags etc).
Roadside cafes...usually a small tip....be careful when you eat at roadside cafes, if at all.
Just an observation...Americans are by far the best tippers...and generally get the best service when they travel.
Hope this answers your question, indianapearl.
May 31st, 2009, 11:31 PM
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"Room attendants...follow the guideline given by the hotel...if none, then 10%." Ten percent of what? The room rate?
Rp 20 per day and they will be delighted.
"Drivers....for good service,10-15%. A good driver can save you time and be safe too" Again 10 - 15 % of what? The cab fare or the daily hire rate?
"Americans are by far the best tippers...and generally get the best service when they travel." Agree with the first statement, totally disagree with the last as they will tip if the service is good or bad so why give them special service.
Please don't import your tipping habits to the rest of the world -- much of which, although I exclude India, has minimum wage laws that the US seems to lack.
Rp 20 per day and they will be delighted.
"Drivers....for good service,10-15%. A good driver can save you time and be safe too" Again 10 - 15 % of what? The cab fare or the daily hire rate?
"Americans are by far the best tippers...and generally get the best service when they travel." Agree with the first statement, totally disagree with the last as they will tip if the service is good or bad so why give them special service.
Please don't import your tipping habits to the rest of the world -- much of which, although I exclude India, has minimum wage laws that the US seems to lack.
May 31st, 2009, 11:42 PM
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I always eat at roadside cafes, drink chai at the wallahs,eat dosa in the street & rarely get sick. I rarely tip either & get fabulous service everywhere, usually! But maybe that's because I like most Indians & treat them as my equals unless they treat me as a walking ATM.. hey dogster... you the man!
