Thailand Expats

landofsmiles · #1 10-03-2008, 22:41

They must have had a lot of complaints...or the owner reads the forum...all the pumps now have signs on them to the customer>>>

Please check the meter is set to 0 baht before filling or the attendant can overcharge you. Thank You.

So my bike was down to a few drops and I fill it and the meter reads 108baht. I give him 120 and the cheeky barsteward says "OK" and looks at the bike next in the queue. Like he made no sign that he was going to offer me any change. I might have said keep the change if he hadn't blatantly expected me to just ride off letting him keep it, so I said "10baht" to him and off he went to the booth to get it.

So their days of scamming through the meter has stopped but they'll find another way of creaming off a few extra baht.

Dodger · #2 11-03-2008, 00:10

I saw that yesterday and had to laugh, must of been a load of complaints for a thai to put up such a sign!!!!

cotambear · #3 11-03-2008, 01:56

Ive had that. Got to 100 baht and he struggled like mad to fit another two bahts in. I gave him 120 and stood their waiting with a smile until he stomped off to get the change.

pablo · #4 11-03-2008, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

I might have said keep the change if he hadn't blatantly expected me to just ride off letting him keep it, so I said "10baht" to him and off he went to the booth to get it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotambear

Ive had that. Got to 100 baht and he struggled like mad to fit another two bahts in. I gave him 120 and stood their waiting with a smile until he stomped off to get the change.

Geeeez you guys?????

All Thai people generally leave any change (tip) for the attendants, don't they?

Nicke · #5 11-03-2008, 03:51

I never heard of exchange problems, but I have heard of motorbikes getting fuel on the previous customers count and thus much bigger bill. The pump was never resetted in between.

It doesnt benefit the owner, its just the guy/staff who want to make some extra baht.

Masterwoodsman · #6 11-03-2008, 07:56

This happened to me also about 3 days ago at same gas station. Asked for 100B and usually they punch in 100 on the display and fill up. This guy didn't and ran the price to 100.8 Baht. He then asked me for one baht and i knew straight away what his intentions were. Its not being tight its the principle. Anyway as i dont carry coins here so i gave him a 20B and he just stood and looked at me...

The fact is if he'd have filled up the 100B like i asked him i would have give him 20B tip as i always do but take the p1ss you'll get F all...

sledge038 · #7 11-03-2008, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

but take the p1ss you'll get F all...

i do tip but, the above applies.
cheeky little ##########

landofsmiles · #8 11-03-2008, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablo

Geeeez you guys?????

All Thai people generally leave any change (tip) for the attendants, don't they?

I usually let them keep the small change but it was just the guys' attitude that was annoying...like he just expected to keep it without even offering change.

Had a similar thing in a 7/11 when instead of handing me the change the cashier (a katoey) said "for tip" and put it straight into a tip box. It was only 7 or 8 baht but it was annoying I wasn't even asked if I would leave it as a tip.

inthemode · #9 11-03-2008, 12:01

Jeez you guys !

It's tough enough having a family with two kids to support, but throw in a mia noi, yaba habit, mekong and coke and a bit of gambling how the hell do you expect him to keep up, that's not even talking about the kik's.

Cheapskates!

LivinLOS · #10 11-03-2008, 12:15

Yeah I got rolled eyes and 'tutted' at simply because I wanted about 15 baht of change.. That garage is pure windup..

cotambear · #11 13-03-2008, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Yeah I got rolled eyes and 'tutted' at simply because I wanted about 15 baht of change.. That garage is pure windup..

Yes Sef it used to wind me up too. Then I had a rethink and started looking at it as I was winding the cheeky blighters up. Now it puts a little smile on my face.

Tipping is a peculiarily western, particularily US phenomenon. It has no place in Thai culture except being seen as a chance to squeeze more from farang in tourist areas. It serves no useful purpose, in fact it creates tension between customer and retailer if there is a conflict in expectations on both sides.

The thai man or woman in the street doesnt tip. They rightly see no purpose in throwing away hard earned baht.

Thats me anyway. What others do with their hard earned is their choice.

Nicke · #12 13-03-2008, 05:39

I always tip in bars and restaurants, on petrol stations if they clean my windows.

Tip in Thailand is half the Thai staff salaries. I know they are dependent on them so I always tip. If a hotel or restaurant have a 10% service charge, then you dont need to tip, as 10% goes to them anyway.

I dont agree with you cotambear, with the low salaries around here, the tip is what makes the difference for the staff.

marc26 · #13 13-03-2008, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

I dont agree with you cotambear, with the low salaries around here, the tip is what makes the difference for the staff.

i would say i am an over-tipper but there are places that just dont warrant a tip
so many stores these days have tip jars

i remember i called AAA(CAR TOWING) and had a debate in work because i didnt feel the need to tip the tow truck driver. i feel hes doing his job and getting paid.
people in the service industry can make your night a more pleasant expwerience, and if they do, they desreve a tip