appropriate tips for drivers, local guides, hotel staff, etc.
Nov 19th, 2010 | 08:06 AM
#21
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
NO CANDY, NO PENS, NO NUTTIN' AS HANDOUTS--
YES--local charity for street kids, POSSIBLY school supplies (the 72 ball point pens my husband bought for a couple of cents apiece--to schools--or not)
TIPS--Ajay suggested between $10--$15 per day for driver--many (most??) of the posters think $5 to $15 the range--Dogster at the low end and live42day at the high. I've got my guidelines.
(I love the "Beggars of Bihar" tale/parable. It says it all.)
Everyone's input has been SOO helpful.
Many thanks.
Now if the meds would just start being as helpful--my bronchitis is still with me!
YES--local charity for street kids, POSSIBLY school supplies (the 72 ball point pens my husband bought for a couple of cents apiece--to schools--or not)
TIPS--Ajay suggested between $10--$15 per day for driver--many (most??) of the posters think $5 to $15 the range--Dogster at the low end and live42day at the high. I've got my guidelines.
(I love the "Beggars of Bihar" tale/parable. It says it all.)
Everyone's input has been SOO helpful.
Many thanks.
Now if the meds would just start being as helpful--my bronchitis is still with me!
Dec 8th, 2010 | 08:04 PM
#22
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
I'm with dogster and CaliNurse. Giving out candy and money only encourges begging. While there are genuine beggars, there are many who have been purposely maimed and enslaved for the Babus who run the begging rings. We always carry some food with us, bananas, roti, toast and give these to the disabled, the very old and mothers with babies who are not bothering you but you can clearly see their poverty. Once we have given away our cache for the day there is no more.
If you want to thank you driver by all means give him a couple of hundred Rs at the end of your trip, but dont give in accordance of what you are forced to do in USA which spoils it for all other travellers who are then seen as cash cows. DVDs won't play in India (they have a different system) and your driver is highly unlikely to want to view them anyway. They like their own type of Hindi films and music so even CDs are wasted. Caps or a T-shirt would be welcome. In the north where it is colder, thick socks, warm gloves or mufflers would be welcome. If you know the driver has children, then a small bag of some lollies in different shapes for his children (eg snakes, farm animals etc) would be appreciated.
If you want to thank you driver by all means give him a couple of hundred Rs at the end of your trip, but dont give in accordance of what you are forced to do in USA which spoils it for all other travellers who are then seen as cash cows. DVDs won't play in India (they have a different system) and your driver is highly unlikely to want to view them anyway. They like their own type of Hindi films and music so even CDs are wasted. Caps or a T-shirt would be welcome. In the north where it is colder, thick socks, warm gloves or mufflers would be welcome. If you know the driver has children, then a small bag of some lollies in different shapes for his children (eg snakes, farm animals etc) would be appreciated.
