Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

Tipping, as wel all know, is not a custom in Korea. However, there are instances when I still do leave (or try to leave) a tip. I don't take many cab rides and the few that I do are usually under 2,000 won. Most are the default 1,600 fare. If I have two 1,000 won notes I give it to the cabbie and bid him a good day.

My Korean friends think I'm utterly crazy. But foreign english teachers are well paid here, cost of living is cheap, cab rides are cheap compared any North American city, and sometimes I feel in a culture where they're highly suspicious of any and all foreigners, creating a culture among cab drivers that "foreigner = tip" makes it a bit easier for all of us.

Another time I was at a bar with a friend and our tab came to about 50,000 won. Again, you don't tip. However, I left 7,000 won on the table. We were heading out of the bar, going down the stairs, when the waitress came screaming out of the bar with the money. In Korean she was shouting that we left money on the table. My co-worker, whose Korean is better, had to explain leaving money for waitresses was "waegook style".

Now when I leave tips in bars, I make sure the waitress has gone into the back and I can slip out in time to disappear into the busy Seoul streets without her tackling me trying to give me the money I "forgot" on the table.

[justagirl]

ah ha! This is why the taxi drivers have started keeping my change! It's your fault!

I have enough problems with taxi drivers taking longer routes, slowing down to catch red lights, etc, and now I finally know why they expect the foreigners to pay more than what's on the meter....

[Son Deureo!]

[the_beaver]

Tips are a dumb-ass idea.

[Corporal]

Anything that takes more money out of my pocket is a dumbass idea.

[kangnam mafioso]

I've never had a problem with this. I usually round up the fare in taxis and if they don't want it -- I don't insist. Most drivers seem pleased with a little extra. At real fancy restaurants or bars where the service is great, I will sometimes leave 10% or so but it isn't necessary. When in Rome ...

[peppermint]

I don't mind tipping for good service, but I really hate the obligatory ten percent tip that's added on in some restaurants.

[hellofaniceguy]

That's fine and dandy that you want to be goody two shoes and leave a tip, but why start a precedent?
These taxi drivers, waiters, waitresses, hotel workers and hundreds of other positions are doing these jobs on their own free will. No one is forcing them to work for cheap wages.
If they want to make more money, change vocation. Learn a new skill or trade. Go back to school.
Every job is the same all over the world, the CEO is being paid millions of dollars while the lowery worker makes peanuts. Well, it's about time the peanut workers protest and stop giving these CEO's and business raises and bonuses. Same with the president of a taxi company! They are making big bucks and the drivers don't. Why stand for it? Change jobs!
But don't expect tips for doing what you're already being paid to do. People who leave tips, most I think, also are struggling to make ends meet and I think most resent it.
I of course never leave a tip in America or Canada. My friends cringe when it's time to leave a restaurant or other business! Cause they know I don't tip. I'm cheap Charlie!

[U.S.A.]

In a country where tipping isn't expected, I always found dropping an extra 1,000 won here and there garnered significantly better service whenever I returned to a joint (To Insure Proper Service).

What was it out of my pocket? Basically 80 cents. The return, at least in bars, usually meant I got served rapidly. It even gained me a free shot/drink at times. From pizza delivery? The food arrived quickly and every so often they'd throw in an extra soda. In taxis? Usually just a smile. It's not that often you get the same driver (unless you're in a really small town). Beer delivery? Usually arrived quickly and sometimes some anju was added for free. Eateries? Wait staff would often give me extra beef (as in food).

Again, what would I tip? Usually just a chun-won. Then again, I heard some bar staff mention their salaries, and an extra thousand won or two was significant (along with never expected).

[Real Reality]

mindmetoo wrote,
"But foreign english teachers are well paid here."

Perhaps, you think you are well paid. But, not all foreign English teachers are well paid.

[mindmetoo]

[mindmetoo]

[jay-shi]

i think many parts of Europe have the best take on tip in restaurants. It's included in the price of your meal. When I was living in france the waiters would usually get between 10 to 15 percent of the bill before taxes. So you automatically know they are getting tips. I used to leave a small amount extra sometimes when the service was outstanding, like 50 cents extra, and they were really happy with it. But otherwise I didn't leave anything and no one even blinked.

[TheUrbanMyth]

And on another thread not so long ago, people were complaining about other people (both foreign and local) being cheap.

[CanadaCommando]

I dont agree with the added on tip because then it has nothing to do with service...its just an extra charge.
I have no problem tossing the cabbie an extra 300 won if I think he deserves it. That's just how I feel. If I think they took the long route, or the service I get isnt great-no tip. That's just my call...I know Koreans dont expect tips, I just like to give it occasionally.

Anybody that doesnt tip back home....thats just cheap. Tipping is the culture back home. Hellofaniceguy...A nice guy you may be, but not to your servers! If I was your friend, I would cringe when the bill came too. Actually, I would be a lil pissed because I would feel obliged to make up what your tip shoulda been