Korean Job Discussion Forums

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

OK this has come up in a few posts now, I've been led to believe that there is no tipping culture over here, so now I don't even think about it.

But if some of you people are leaving a few bills on the plate I want to know about it so I can start doing the same!

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Tipping in Korea is only for prostitutes/room salon women/private dancers/massage workers, generally. Look at those signs on the doors "Tip 30,000"

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

kangnamdragon wrote,
"Tipping in Korea is only for prostitutes/room salon women/private dancers/massage workers, generally. Look at those signs on the doors 'Tip 30,000'"

Would you please tell that to the taxi drivers that yelled at me "tippuh, tippuh"? Some drivers have seemingly enjoyed keeping the change while saying, "Tippuh, tippuh, OK."

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

yes

i tipped a cab driver

when he helped me carry my television up four floors to my apart-uh.

he was nice and seemed stoked and surprised.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

igotthisguitar · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 6:37 pm Post subject:

>. Sometimes ... depends on the "quality" of service.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

kangnamdragon wrote:
"That has never happened to me. Just learn how to say: There is no tipping in Korean culture."

I have tried. I have told them in English and Korean. However, they seem to point out my nationality in response. The taxi drivers respond usually in Korean,
"Where you come from, they tip taxi drivers."
or
"You are a foreigner. You tip taxi drivers."
or
"Service"
or
"Bonus"

peppermint · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 7:41 pm Post subject:

The last time I moved I tipped the guy 10,000W. He put up with the fact that my psycho director had locked me out of the appartment where my stuff was, and then helped me carry everything up to the new place on the fourth floor.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

If you tip you lose face in their eyes. Don't lose face, don't tip. You make yourself the sucker.

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

depending, i tip the taxi driver, but its rare i take taxi's.

And i know there is VAT added but i always tip at way guk restaurants like outback, TGIfridays and bennigans.

Draven · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

I always tip when I get my haircut. I go to the same place everytime, there are no hassles, they're very nice and it's still a bargain at twice the price. I always get the taxi drivers to keep the silver, although I very rarely take taxis these days.

If that makes me a sucker, so be it.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

A couple of times where people have gone above and beyond. But in general you can tell I have lived in New Zealand because I don't as a practice tip.

CanadaCommando · Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Location: People's Republic of C.C.

I often tip if I am in a western-style restaraunt...Gecko's in Itaewon for example. Don't wanna be made to look bad by the Soldier Boys!

Also tip in cabs if the driver is friendly or extra-helpful-still a quarter of the cost back home.

Personal choice really. I'm fairly sure that people who do get tips here (at least in Seoul) realize that it is part of WESTERN culture, and just another wacky foreigner act; not an act to lose face over.

I also have the horrible tendency to tip bartenders alot when I get wasted...but oh well, such is life. Smile