| |
paulo100
|
For some strange reason, unknown even to me, I have often contemplated just what the 'real' value is of the baht we distribute to those that we give it to.
Obviously, the exchange rate is clear for all to see but I am trying to get a handle on the real value, or as I think of it, the '100 baht index ratio' or BIR 100.
Here's what I mean. 100 baht is approximately £1.47 or $2.65 at tourist exchange rates.
If I give a 100 baht tip to someone, say a restaurant or hotel worker for example, what does that mean to them in terms of what they can or will buy with it, and consequently, what is the real value of that amount to them.
My own feeling is that there is a ratio of something like four times, so 100 baht at £1.47, times four, equals £5.88 or $10.60. Round those up to £6.00 or $11.00. That's not bad for carrying a bag up to a room!
But am I correct in this assumption, or is the ratio less, or more than this.. Note, I have specifically mentioned low end wage earners (i.e. the vast majority of Thai's)
Obviously, 100 baht is throwaway money to a wealthy Thai, just as it would be to a wealthy westerner.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this (does anyone else care, probably not)
Before anyone says it I did UTFSE and found nothing specifically on this issue. Plenty on cost of living for expats etc, this is a different question.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:00 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
snpark
|
to me taxis are a pittance in bkk, I keep equating them to the taxi prices in dubai, but in fact they are 10 times less, so basically every fare I round up to min 100tb and sometimes another 100tb tip I mean its a £2 tip.
in london it costs £10 (500tb) just to get out the airport!
but then I am a generous tipper, I regularly tip £50++ in london bars and then I feel tight when I "only" leave the q bar boys a 1000tb note at the end of the night (on top of rounding up a 3-4k bill to eg5k too)
i mean 1000tb is £20 right, and I leave 3 times that in london.
i dont know. its complicated without being flash etc, but I dont flash it or throw it at them, its a genuine aside with a big smile and thankyou etc.
im only there (q) average 3 nights every 4weeks but they all know me recognise me wai me etc etc but then they would do anyway I guess, like all you regulars too!!
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 1:35 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
thailife
|
you need to quit thinking in terms of your normal functional currency. You have to think as if you live in thailand, where tipping is very small and not really expected. Once you are away form the tourist ares and have been around for a while the locals know this and do not expect much. Rounding up taxi fares to 100 baht is not the norm, locals take most of their change back, leaving very little if any for the driver. Stamp 'tourist' on your forehead....... This is the same as accepting the class system in Thailand... As uncomfortable as it may be, the class system is alive and well and it is better to adhere to this system. It took me a long time to adjust to this, but in the end it is how you are expected to act. The doorman is just that, a doorman and he knows his station in life wil not be the same as yours. Very different from Western thinking and you may have problems with it, but it is the way things are done here and you are judged by everyone by your actions. As an example, I don't push a shopping cart, my wife or someone from her family does, for me to do it would bring to their minds a little laughter because I am on top of the heap, not a commoner. Beleive me, it is hard for me because my mind is western, but these little things will help you in business also. When the office girl brings you coffee, I don't take time to say thank you, she knows where I am in the system and a thank you is not expected or wanted, if I did that I would lower myself within their system.
So in the end I think you should think in functional Thai baht terms, prices are what they are, do not compare them to western prices... think in baht.......
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:44 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
modusoperandi
|
Quote: from thailife on 3:23 am on Nov. 2, 2005
you need to quit thinking in terms of your normal functional currency. You have to think as if you live in thailand, where tipping is very small and not really expected. Once you are away form the tourist ares and have been around for a while the locals know this and do not expect much. Rounding up taxi fares to 100 baht is not the norm, locals take most of their change back, leaving very little if any for the driver. Stamp 'tourist' on your forehead.......
Minor gratuity is still given by thais if they are considered well off this is an extension of their "generosity" or the thais taking care of the poorer people. My girlfriend is reasonably well off and she always tips taxi drivers. It's usually 10-15 baht over depending on where we go. She'll tip food waitstaff too but it's usually just change left over. Before you say it, we share costs too so she's not just being extra generous because it's not her money.
As an example, I don't push a shopping cart, my wife or someone from her family does, for me to do it would bring to their minds a little laughter because I am on top of the heap, not a commoner. Beleive me, it is hard for me because my mind is western, but these little things will help you in business also. When the office girl brings you coffee, I don't take time to say thank you, she knows where I am in the system and a thank you is not expected or wanted, if I did that I would lower myself within their system.
Yes, there is a class system but as a foreigner you aren't expected to know anything or be anything to begin with. So even if you're a foreigner who foolishly wais 7-11 people most people won't care. They aren't snickering at you because you are violating some rigid system they just think your awkwardness is funny. On the thai scale you'll never be "higher" really, you'll certainly have money but that's on the foreigner scale. Thais will respect you as they would respect anyone with money but you still aren't thai, on the thai social scale you still rank below being thai. They give foreigners of all types special "pass" in society because most aren't taken seriously.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 2:43 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
thailife
|
a great point !!!
The best example given to me was that there is a triangle that represents Thai society... on the top are the top dogs, on the bottom, the masses.... a farang can inmix anywhere they choose within the classes in the triangle, it is ok, but not ok for a Thai.... a farang can intermix but will never be considered within the triangle, always on the outside looking in.... first trip to bkk in 83..... never broke intot he system. never will.........
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:25 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
Mel Gibson
|
Whenever I think of BHT value I remember the average Thai worker earns 200-250 BHT per day. So a tip of 100BHT is very generous. If you keep this is mind you get some sort of prospective on correct payments. Adjustments must be made for the type of establishment you are in,,,, different tip in 5* hotel than a 2*.
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:28 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
philly
|
Hey Paulo,
It's interesting, I had the same thoughts as you when I read about the workers building the bkk subway. As Mel points out above, they were getting about 200b a day, ($5US). So when you compare that with a laborer making even just $7 an hour in the US, that's a factor of about 10!
So I tend to think of a 100 Baht tip as like handing a twenty to someone at home (more like 25!)
Now when I place 2000 bht in a lady's purse in the morning, she sees the equiv. of $500. No wonder she doesn't want to leave!
YMMV<
Phil
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:03 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
mansaturday
|
Paulo,
A cashier at Tesco's (Bangkok) earns 5000 Baht a month, I believe. (It may even be less.)
A cashier at Tesco's (England) might earn, what?, 1200 pounds? (Less?)
So, there is a 'conversion rate' of approximately 4 to 1 (5000 Baht/1200 Pounds).
In practice, if you leave a 100 Baht tip, that is the same as 25 Pound tip in London.
Just do a few calculations, and you'll see that Bangkok is expensive for the locals. For example, a 40 Baht SkyTrain ticket is the 'equivalent' of a 10 Pound ticket in London.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:41 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
DaffyDuck
|
The way I do the math in my head:
100 Baht = $2.50 to me = $10 to the recipient.
I tip doormen, or the guys carrying my bags to the room, on average, 50 Baht - sometimes 100 Baht if I want a favor later.
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 9:14 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
snpark
|
at the end of the day its all a personal choice, it doesnt mean u r a mug or a tourist or rich or whatever, its just politeness manners etc
yes what I tip might be too much but then again they are nice friendly people working hard to support their families and if you see where some of them live then why shouldnt a few $ here and there help?
i mean I already have a tv, so why cant I tip a little bit extra to help the taxi driver buy a new tyre or some rice for his family etc etc.
and I dont mean I am another falang rich idiot flashing my money around, I do very well, I have my own businesses in thailand, hk, uk and dubai and I like to enjoy things and my personal way is I like to tip poor people.
as you say, it helps their memories too for future service.
in the shangrila bkk im like a king whenever I check in, I have a good laugh with all the staff.
anyway just waffling.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:44 pm on Nov. 1, 2005
|
|
| |
|
