Siem Reap Guide Gift
 

We have Ponheary as our guide in Siem Reap. I was thinking I would like to take her some small gifts to her. Does anyone have any ideas. Especially helpful would be anyone you has met her who may have some good ideas!
I am assuming that we will tip her is that the standard? But thought a small gift over and above also.

Thanks in advance and a Happy, safe, and healthy New Year to you all. J

first i should think she might be interested in more money...

second maybe some little gift which is typical of your country...for instance if you come from vermont, maple syrup is a nice gift...

keychains & other knick knacks that have your state name on them are neat.

But cash is KING

Innocent question:

As a longtime traveler to Siem Reap, I am a little bemused by the "cult of Ponheary" that has developed on this board. I am sure she is a more-than-competant guide and a nice person to boot, but isn't she still just "working for the money" like everyone in the hospitality business? Why does someone who has never met her feel compelled to shower her with gifts that go "over and above"?

Please do not batter me in response. I am sincerely curious about this. Its just that there are plenty of great people in the tourist business in Cambodia, so why all the adulation focused on her?

Kim-
It's a fair question.

We used Ponheary in 2002 after reading glowing reports of her here then. For me, it was an issue of first-hand recommendations that sold me. I've had the experience of a bad guide in the past and didn't want to take the chance of just hiring anyone upon arrival. She has continued to get glowing reviews. Plus, I must say I was intrigued by the chance to hear a woman's perspecive on life in Cambodia.

That said, we did not give her any gifts at the end of our stay (save dozens of recommendations that led her future business) or for that matter, I don't think we even tipped her (maybe a very small amount over her fee). I'm not sure I understand the concept of tipping guides in general. We agreed to her fee (which seems to be reasonable and standard), used her car and driver, and stayed in her guesthouse. I think we contributed a fair amount to the economy there.

I think the "cult" you speak of is just typical of what you find whan people go places they've never been before. Most people are more comfortable using personal recommendations, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants that other have before them. Unfortunately, this creates a tourist circuit in places like Thailand and Cambodia where everyone goes to the same places and rarely strays off the beatn path. You see it in the backpacker crowd (Khao san Road or full moon party anyone?) to the luxury hotel set who won't stay anywhere but the Oriental in Bangkok.

Anyway, I think Ponheary is well worth the praise she receives here, but I don't think tips and gifts are expected or required.

Jules-
You also asked a fair question.

On the day we left Ponheary's guesthouse, she gave me a gift of a rough silk Khmer scarf that had been hanging on the wall of our room. You could bring her a scarf, perhaps with a pattern or theme related to where you live. Many Khmers (both men and women) wear scarves to keep off the sun and dust, especially when they ride motorbikes.

BTW, if you'd like to read about our experiences with her and in Siem Reap, you can see it all on my travelogue:
http://www.wired2theworld.com
Just select the Cambodia 2002 trip.

kristina....she gave you a gift as you left and you are suggesting that people do not bring her a gift??

Ponheary does help with the support of a school in Siem Reap and I would think that she would appreciate anything that would be of use to the school, such as pencils and so forth.

Kristina & Tangata thankyou for your suggestions. The reason behind me asking this is that there have been times when I have felt I would have liked to have gived someone I have spent some time with on my travels a small gift and have not had anything so I thought this time I would like to have a little something in my bag in case we felt the need! Tipping is in fact a very foriegn concept to me also I totally struggle with it. (I was not raised in a tipping culture) I do try to keep a feel on what is the local norm where I am going. I got the impression from this board that a tip would be appropriate but I also totally understand your point of view Kristina and I have walked away from situations where others have tipped and I have not because I did not think it was called for. I would be interested in any other comments.
Thanks J

Kimadrew

I understand what you are saying. I contacted Ponheary because of recommendations here if she had not been available we would have contacted someone else. As Kristina said first hand recommendations are worth a lot. This was after my hubby and I had tossed around whether we did want a guide or not but we kept coming back to deciding we did so that is why we took that path. I am hoping she does a good job!

Thanks
J

rhk-
I'm saying it's not expected. I'm not saying I don't recommend it. In fact, I did give jules an idea of what she could bring, didn't I?

Jules:

Thank you. If I am understanding the other comments correctly, I think it would be a great idea for you to ask Ponheary how to contribute directly to the school she works with. I would suggest pens rather than pencils, in "fashion colors" that would appeal to schoolchildren. I'm sure they are poor, but kids all around the world still like to have fun!

Also, be sure to keep you eyes, ears, and heart open to the stories of other Cambodians besides Ponheary. There are certainly no shortages of tales and unique life experiences all around the Siem Reap area.

Kimdrew

I agree with you that the school idea is the best one. I have been to Cambodia before and as you say listening to the accounts of what has happened there is a must.

Happy New Year
J