Job Discussion Forums

[Qaaolchoura]

What's the deal with tipping here?
I know that in western Europe and Mexico it's not practiced but people certainly don't object when you do. And I know that in much of east Asia it's considered offensive and actively discouraged (though Hong Kong seems to be an exception).

I've tried tipping, and it seems like native Turks and Kurds are offended, though they don't outright reject tips (as they do in Korea, and as some Chinese restaurants do in the States). I asked at a hotel and they very helpfully told me "it's up to you." Any rate I assume that non-Turks, who generally work for lower pay, won't be offended (of course I could be wrong), and hid a tip under my pillow (see final paragraph), for the eastern European cleaning lady.

If we can tip in Turkey, who should we tip? In the US (and Hong Kong, where they don't seem to object). I generally tip waitstaff, bellhops, and hotel cleaning crews as general practice, and a few other cases when service is exceptional.

Also, I left a tip for the busboy at the hotel I stayed at for the first couple days, (which had complimentary breakfast), and he tried to give it to the owner, who told him to keep it. Which means either tipping is unusual or the owner makes his staff hand over their tips, and didn't this time because I was watching. This hotel seemed a bit scummy, so I can readily believe it was the latter.

Thanks,
~Q

[Sashadroogie]

Tipping offensive in Turkey? Never experienced that at all.

[Qaaolchoura]

OK, good. Teşukker ederim. I guess I'm just bad at reading people. And a bit paranoid about being culturally insensitive.

~Q

[Sashadroogie]

Rica ederim. Can be hard to read the locals at first. But my experience was that all tips are most welcome by restaurant staff. In taxis, I think the custom is not to take the small change - but I frequently got irked when the driver didn't even bother to offer my change to me. Didn't stay in hotels too often in Istanbul, so can't really say.

However, in general, most people you meet are decent (outside the touristy places) and will be quite tolerant of any gaffes you make, so long as they know you are not being deliberately offensive. (Apart from mosque etiquette - check up on that before you have a look round one.)

It's pretty hard to go wrong, really. You'd need to get really obnoxiously drunk, make obscene gestures and remarks to the women and urinate on the flag, while denouncing the great state and religious leaders. But then someone would knife you multiple times, so it would be fairly clear : )

[BadBeagleBad]

[Qaaolchoura]

[CallieWho]