Mr Lee Posted November 13, 2011 Posted November 13, 2011 This is a big issue with those who live within, verses those who visit, since over tipping makes it bad for those who live full time.PhilippinesRestaurants 10%50 cents - $1 per bagTaxi Round Up (so what does that man?) Link to info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted November 14, 2011 Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) The best advice given in that article is: The rules are also in a constant state of change, so what was appropriate the last time you visited your favorite foreign destination may be completely inappropriate the next time you go. The second best advice, that they do not give, is that countries are big and tipping changes from city to town to rural areas. For example, I would tip 10% at a good restaurant in Cebu IF they did not already add a 15% service charge as some do and yet I would tip only a few pesos in a small rural area. By 'round up' for the taxi I assume they mean do not give coins worth less than 10 pesos. If the meter is 87 pesos then round up to 100. If it is 52 pesos then round up to 60. Edit: BTW, tipping porters 50cents to $1 per bag would have them jumping for joy. I took 5 bags on the Super Cat and had the porter take them for us. My wife strongly suggested I tip him only 50 pesos but I think he was looking for about 100 pesos for that. Even so, 100 pesos for 5 bags would be a bit less than 50 cents per bag. Again, 'location'! If this had been in Manila then the tip per bag may have been higher. You can usually tell if you have tipped too high or too low by watching the expression on the porter's face. Then you will know for next time. Edited November 14, 2011 by Dave Hounddriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJReyes Posted November 14, 2011 Posted November 14, 2011 My rule is very simple. If I frequent the establishment, the tip is more generous. If it is a one time visit and the service was mediocre, 10% is more than generous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyAway Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Last time in Hong Kong many of the expat's said do not tip if they have a service charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Sibbick Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 The Philippines has a no tipping culture. However, it has been my experience that in the tourist areas, a tip may be expected because of the idiotic behaviour of Americans. The goose who wrote this article obviously didn't see the real Philippines. The part that I thought was most appropriate was do as the locals do. If my ex wife or any of my ex girl friends or current girlfriend pay the bill, no matter where we are. There is no thought of a tip. Regards: Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollygoodfellow Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 The Philippines has a no tipping culture. However, it has been my experience that in the tourist areas, a tip may be expected because of the idiotic behaviour of Americans. The goose who wrote this article obviously didn't see the real Philippines. The part that I thought was most appropriate was do as the locals do. If my ex wife or any of my ex girl friends or current girlfriend pay the bill, no matter where we are. There is no thought of a tip. Regards: Jim This was discussed once before and it is a problem in a way for us like Jim who is from Australia and myself as we don't tip here so why should we there. We dont have to follow what someone else introduced to the Philippines do we? The problem is now the Filipinos expect it but they dont expect it from their own people. The Americans will say its because they earn so little but in reality they are earning the going rate just like you or I would be in our own country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 My rule is very simple. If I frequent the establishment, the tip is more generous. If it is a one time visit and the service was mediocre, 10% is more than generous. In my book if the service was mediocre they do not deserve a tip at all. If it's a cheap local restaurant that obviously cannot afford well trained staff then I will tip. The Anerican standards of tipping are higher than most places I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lee Posted November 17, 2011 Author Posted November 17, 2011 There appears to be no right or wrong with tipping in the Philippines, so it is up to each person to do as they wish. I have found that in some restaurants that we frequent often, giving a tip has made the staff extra friendly and helpful, so our glass never stays empty for long and our food usually comes out fairly quickly. Another perk is that when my wife and I show up and even with another couple, if they recognize me then they will often say "hi sir I have your reserved table waiting for you," when there is a big line waiting to get in and the table is marked reserved, but I did not reserve it. Now is that right for them to do, I do not know but it is nice to not have to wait an hour when we are in a rush. Although I will usually send my wife up to put her name on the waiting list if we are alone, that way they do not recognize her as easily and we will wait our turn. The other thing I like about tipping is the big smile it usually gets. Making someones day is something we rarely can do while in the US and waiters in the US expect a tip, so hardly ever even say thank you, but in the Philippines seeing that smile and hearing thank you is nice, and knowing that I made their day is worth it to me. So for those who do not wish to tip, I understand you and support your wishes, just as I would expect you to support mine. Few things in life can make us happy so easily as a warm friendly smile, it just melts my heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call me bubba Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 when i have the "bagger" help take out the groceries, helps me get a taxi & load 10-20p.(some stores the "clerks/baggers" must report their tips) haircut usually 10-15p, massage 20-40p depending on how good the massage was (since they are paid a daily rate,not per customer)when eating out, roughly 10% if it already has a service charge, NO TIP unless the service is good.Meaning i didnt have to wait long for refills,or for food once it was ready, check&change promptly returned ,not having to wait more than a few minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garpo Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 My approach to this is that I have my wife always pay for just about everything. I let her decide when and how much to tip. I notice that she is very good at seeing the people that really seem to put forth a good effort and those that do not. While I am much older than her and have traveled many parts of the world, she is the one that has lived here in the Philippines all her life and knows what is best. There have been times that my wife has actually asked me to stay outside of a shop or store because as she has said, "she will get the Filipino price, if they see me then she will have to pay the foreigner price" I guess if I was a foreigner just visiting then I would feel different but since I am a foreigner that is married to a Filipina and I live here in the Philippines, I don't agree that because I look like a tourist that I should act like one. Meaning, tip like one. I find it much better to let my wife handle all of that kind of stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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