[Denver]

Originally Posted by TanMan

I used to think the same way, but have had a huge change of heart. The people you can shake hands with down the street are not the people you are in a position to tip though (construction workers, cooks, mechanics). In addition, the tips are generally going to people that do have enough money to live comfortably, the ones in the entertainment zones that give hedonistic pleasure to the farang....

These days, I find my self giving a good tip wherever I go, but usually a better and sometimes unnecessary tip (if deserved) to cooks, mechanics, etc. But, unfortunately, I won't be throwing 500 and 1,000 baht notes around like toilet paper the way I used to. Tired of looking silly, I guess.

Agree Tanman, those are the people down there are on 200B a day.....if they are working! They are the poor of Thailand, well, this part of Thailand. Perhaps it was the wording of the post that I picked up on. Likewise, I have no doubt there are Thais out there infinately more wealthy than me. Girls working the bars get the odd drink now and again.....but that's my call.

I like to think I have been on this planet enough to know who I am tipping, the amount I am tipping, who has deserved it. As you say, if I need some work done on a bike and the guy does the work there and then, I'll tip. If the service in a restaurant has been particularly good, I'll tip.

Gone are the days were I need to feel 'Big' or trying to impress by throwing wads of cash around. Like you, it achieves nothing and certainly doesn't give anyone the impression I imagine people who do that, thinks it transmits.

I just felt (still do!) there is a constant negativity from a certain BM. Which I am not sure is a wind up or not!