Tipping in poor countries

[Anonymous]

I just returned from several weeks in a poor country that attracts lots of North American (USA and Canada) and European ex pats for the low cost of living. I both discovered and was told point blank by the locals (I speak the language) that ex pats are terrible tippers and the tourists not much better. I mean, people are almost literally starving and living on nothing and these people can’t bring themselves to throw a server some extra change? It’s pretty disgusting.

I ended up at a bar one night having a conversation with a young tourist from South Africa. The guy basically said that my way of thinking is typically American because in countries like his there are so many desperate people that it’s impossible to help them all. Um, no, I’m not talking about “helping them all,” I’m talking about leaving someone who actually does something for you a decent tip.

I hate people who move abroad because they couldn’t make enough money or are too weird to live in their own country and then treat the locals like dirt.

[Anonymous]

It's not my fault that these countries have corrupt government officials who line their own pockets. You can't solve the worlds problems OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not my fault that these countries have corrupt government officials who line their own pockets. You can't solve the worlds problems OP.

And this has something to do with tipping in a poor country, how? Are you South African? 😂

[Anonymous]

Never ever believe anyone who is asking for tips when they talk about the tipping practices of others. They do know how to pull on your heart strings to make you tip more.

[Anonymous]

What country? What does leaving a "good American tip" mean there? What do locals tip?

Americans are viewed as terrible tourists and usually deserserving of the title, but also often locals of poor countries view any American as being loaded and expect much more than is feasible. When my family traveled to visit family in a "poor country" we tipped generously and were often asked for more. Never a appreciative thank you for tipping them a months salary for a 5 minute ride around town, just that's it? We had people knocking on the door at all hours begging for money as well. We couldn't throw enough money around and eventually ran out money to give away. It cost us 10K to travel there, plus food, plus lodging, plus local transportation. We are comfortable in the US but don't have a great deal of disposable income and the locals absolutely viewed us like the kardashians. This trip took us a long time to save for and was a huge family expense, but they just see us as Americans who should be doing more for them.

[Anonymous]

I bet the young tourist from South Africa was white.

[Anonymous]

Name the countries!

[Anonymous]

What's a "decent" tip?

[Anonymous]

What country?

In countries where tipping is normal and expected, I tip just like I would at home. In places where tipping is not normal and expected, I don't. I always thought that because of the tipping culture in the US, Americans are more apt to tip.

I've been to plenty of middle income countries, but never any really low income countries though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never ever believe anyone who is asking for tips when they talk about the tipping practices of others. They do know how to pull on your heart strings to make you tip more.

I hear you but in my case you’re just gonna have to trust me that there’s no heartstring pulling going on here. It’s a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What country? What does leaving a "good American tip" mean there? What do locals tip?

Americans are viewed as terrible tourists and usually deserserving of the title, but also often locals of poor countries view any American as being loaded and expect much more than is feasible. When my family traveled to visit family in a "poor country" we tipped generously and were often asked for more. Never a appreciative thank you for tipping them a months salary for a 5 minute ride around town, just that's it? We had people knocking on the door at all hours begging for money as well. We couldn't throw enough money around and eventually ran out money to give away. It cost us 10K to travel there, plus food, plus lodging, plus local transportation. We are comfortable in the US but don't have a great deal of disposable income and the locals absolutely viewed us like the kardashians. This trip took us a long time to save for and was a huge family expense, but they just see us as Americans who should be doing more for them.

OP here. This has never happened to me, and I’ve traveled extensively and all over the world.

[Anonymous]

Tipping is culturally specific. If you tip like an American in Japan, for example, you will insult them. You should find out what is appropriate in each country and do similarly, tipping at the upper end of the spectrum as you are wealthier than most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet the young tourist from South Africa was white.

Yes, he was. And obviously that didn’t escape me but I didn’t comment on it to him.

[Anonymous]

On my last trip it was the opposite - a local lamented that Americans and Brits tip well and now the local people are not preferred in the tourist towns (like they get snubbed at a restaurant in favor of better tippers). So Americans bringing tipping culture there just pisses off the locals that are not in hospitality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Name the countries!

I’m talking about the poorer countries south of the border.