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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   The Sand Pit (https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/)
-   -   Tipping in Dubai (https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/tipping-dubai-619650/)

Sammy T Jul 12th 2009 11:19 am
Tipping in Dubai
 
Hi

Sorry if this has been asked before but I am stopping over in Dubai for a couple of nights and wanted to know if tipping is common and how much should I give for eg airport to hotel transfer service, room service, taxis etc.
Don't want to offend but really not sure how much is acceptable?

Thanks for any answers :)

Sam

Roadking Jul 12th 2009 11:56 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Sammy T (Post 7745412)
Hi

Sorry if this has been asked before but I am stopping over in Dubai for a couple of nights and wanted to know if tipping is common and how much should I give for eg airport to hotel transfer service, room service, taxis etc.
Don't want to offend but really not sure how much is acceptable?

Thanks for any answers :)

Sam
For taxis, I normally just round up to the nearest note unless it's really minor in which case add to it. So, if it's 27, give 30. If it's 29, give 30 plus a few coins.

Then again I'm a miserable, tight fisted twat!

Blue Cat Jul 12th 2009 12:06 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Roadking (Post 7745506)
For taxis, I normally just round up to the nearest note unless it's really minor in which case add to it. So, if it's 27, give 30. If it's 29, give 30 plus a few coins.

Then again I'm a miserable, tight fisted twat!
don't the porters at the airport charge 10 anyway? I give them an extra 10.

Emerald_Eyes Jul 12th 2009 12:15 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
In a restaurant I tip between 10 and 15% depending on the service. With taxis it depends on how they drive (usually very badly), but between 5 and 10 dirhams is the rule for me.

Spugsy Jul 12th 2009 12:31 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Emerald_Eyes (Post 7745543)
In a restaurant I tip between 10 and 15% depending on the service. With taxis it depends on how they drive (usually very badly), but between 5 and 10 dirhams is the rule for me.
yup same here, I usually give the delivery lads who bring the food something decent, some poor lad from fresh spent an hour and a half trying to find my place, he was totally lost, but had no map or nowt - I gave him 20 (still not loads) and then rang up fresh and bollocked them for just letting him trying to find him way.

lionheart Jul 12th 2009 12:36 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7745581)
yup same here, I usually give the delivery lads who bring the food something decent, some poor lad from fresh spent an hour and a half trying to find my place, he was totally lost, but had no map or nowt - I gave him 20 (still not loads) and then rang up fresh and bollocked them for just letting him trying to find him way.
Poor wee laddie...personally, we never get anything like hot food delivered to our villa as its bound to be cold by the time they eventually find us. Easier to jump in the car and collect it ourselves.

Spugsy Jul 12th 2009 12:43 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by lionheart (Post 7745589)
Poor wee laddie...personally, we never get anything like hot food delivered to our villa as its bound to be cold by the time they eventually find us. Easier to jump in the car and collect it ourselves.
Aye he ended up at some little shop and the bloke hopped on the back of his bike and directed him.

dstress Jul 12th 2009 5:29 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
These days, most restaurants tend to include a service charge of 10% on top of the municipality tax. Personally, I never tip in restaurants if a service charge is already included. Otherwise, I would stick to the 10-15%.

Confucius Jul 12th 2009 5:34 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
I once wrote a negative figure on the "tips" line of the credit card thing...It didn't work...I got to meet the manager as a reward...And "Banned" written under my photo at the resto entrance...

Jeeper Jul 12th 2009 7:03 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Tipping. Giving away money just to make yourself either feel better or not guilty or at least - not tight.

You're not giving money for any other reason.

Where i'm from tipping is extremely rare but living here I tip in about 2/3rds of the times where it's appropriate (always to home delivery guys, taxi's I round up to nearest note - not always to car valet guys).

I've started to question this more and more as I make plans to leave and travel the world....how much money i'm giving away in tips - just because I feel I should. Over time that money adds up and it could be an amount that might extend my travels for another week or 2.

Is it better to tip someone you will likely never see again....or keep it yourself and use it for yourself.
I think the latter - and if you say, well these people work under really bad conditions and you should tip because they get paid so poorly, well I say - if you want to give money away for free - give it to people who REALLY REALLY need it. Charities etc.

So, while I do tip, I find myself quite concious of it now and really think about giving away that 10 or 20dhs for no real reason.

MataHari Jul 13th 2009 5:25 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Jeeper (Post 7746423)
Tipping. Giving away money just to make yourself either feel better or not guilty or at least - not tight.

You're not giving money for any other reason.

Where i'm from tipping is extremely rare but living here I tip in about 2/3rds of the times where it's appropriate (always to home delivery guys, taxi's I round up to nearest note - not always to car valet guys).

I've started to question this more and more as I make plans to leave and travel the world....how much money i'm giving away in tips - just because I feel I should. Over time that money adds up and it could be an amount that might extend my travels for another week or 2.

Is it better to tip someone you will likely never see again....or keep it yourself and use it for yourself.
I think the latter - and if you say, well these people work under really bad conditions and you should tip because they get paid so poorly, well I say - if you want to give money away for free - give it to people who REALLY REALLY need it. Charities etc.

So, while I do tip, I find myself quite concious of it now and really think about giving away that 10 or 20dhs for no real reason.
I don't feel I am giving money away for no reason...when I tip it's cause I am happy with the service I have been given...

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 5:33 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Jeeper (Post 7746423)
Tipping. Giving away money just to make yourself either feel better or not guilty or at least - not tight.

You're not giving money for any other reason.

Where i'm from tipping is extremely rare but living here I tip in about 2/3rds of the times where it's appropriate (always to home delivery guys, taxi's I round up to nearest note - not always to car valet guys).

I've started to question this more and more as I make plans to leave and travel the world....how much money i'm giving away in tips - just because I feel I should. Over time that money adds up and it could be an amount that might extend my travels for another week or 2.

Is it better to tip someone you will likely never see again....or keep it yourself and use it for yourself.
I think the latter - and if you say, well these people work under really bad conditions and you should tip because they get paid so poorly, well I say - if you want to give money away for free - give it to people who REALLY REALLY need it. Charities etc.

So, while I do tip, I find myself quite concious of it now and really think about giving away that 10 or 20dhs for no real reason.
you tight get, the reason I tip over here is because unlike the UK some of these lads are getting paid almost nothing.

Zico2009 Jul 13th 2009 5:56 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
One thing springs to mind, but before that i'll let you know that I usually tip 10% to waiting staff, and more if there is no service charge.

Now then....what are we actually tipping for, if its the service, then there is already a charge on most bills in the region of 10%. If its for the waiter bringin your food to you, then should we not question the fact, that is what he/she is there for, hence there job title as waiter.

I know I dont get tipped when doing my job, as that is what im paid to do.

Taxi driver = to take a passenger from A-B....why tip?
Waiter = brings yoru food...for what other reason are we tipping?

Do you tip a Doctor for saving lives? Do you tip your dentist for taking your tooth out? Does anyone tip the labourers for labouring away in the heat?
Do you tip a cashier at the checkout for pricing your goods? Do you tip a bank teller for depositing your money? Do you always tip the barman?

In most cases we dont, so why when your using a service as a taxi or waiter, do we tip?

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 6:41 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Zico2009 (Post 7747419)
One thing springs to mind, but before that i'll let you know that I usually tip 10% to waiting staff, and more if there is no service charge.

Now then....what are we actually tipping for, if its the service, then there is already a charge on most bills in the region of 10%. If its for the waiter bringin your food to you, then should we not question the fact, that is what he/she is there for, hence there job title as waiter.

I know I dont get tipped when doing my job, as that is what im paid to do.

Taxi driver = to take a passenger from A-B....why tip?
Waiter = brings yoru food...for what other reason are we tipping?

Do you tip a Doctor for saving lives? Do you tip your dentist for taking your tooth out? Does anyone tip the labourers for labouring away in the heat?
Do you tip a cashier at the checkout for pricing your goods? Do you tip a bank teller for depositing your money? Do you always tip the barman?

In most cases we dont, so why when your using a service as a taxi or waiter, do we tip?
because they get paid buttons, that's why.

Zico2009 Jul 13th 2009 6:50 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747498)
because they get paid buttons, that's why.
I dont see how that comment holds any weight.

Many ppl get paid in buttons, you dont tip them though. Lets take a look;

The men working 12 hour shifts on building sites, without proper food, living arrangements etc etc, get paid half a button a month, do you go by and tip them for doing what they are paid to do? No.

admon Jul 13th 2009 6:54 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Zico2009 (Post 7747513)
I dont see how that comment holds any weight.

Many ppl get paid in buttons, you dont tip them though. Lets take a look;

The men working 12 hour shifts on building sites, without proper food, living arrangements etc etc, get paid half a button a month, do you go by and tip them for doing what they are paid to do? No.
Tipping is just a part of service society. You choose whether you do it.

An arguement based on whether someone should or shouldn't get tipped is pretty pointless as it's a personal choice issue.

Personally, if I think a place/person has tried to take the piss, or given poor service, no way will they get anything.

But people genuinely trying to be helpful and give good service deserve to be rewarded for that positivity.

Tipping goes further than restaurants and taxis. I'm sure many here have tipped gardeners, a/c repair guys, general maintenance people, etc etc

Blue Cat Jul 13th 2009 7:31 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747498)
because they get paid buttons, that's why.
exactly!

Originally Posted by Zico2009 (Post 7747513)
I dont see how that comment holds any weight.

Many ppl get paid in buttons, you dont tip them though. Lets take a look;

The men working 12 hour shifts on building sites, without proper food, living arrangements etc etc, get paid half a button a month, do you go by and tip them for doing what they are paid to do? No.
I often buy boxes of water and drop them off with the labourers.

Sammy T Jul 13th 2009 7:46 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Thanks for all the replies, I'll aim for 5 - 10 if everything seems good! Here in Oz, tipping is not such a big thing, although service charge is always added in restaurants anyway.

Sam

Amnesia180 Jul 13th 2009 8:28 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Last time I visited Abu Dhabi, I tended to tip up to the nearest note for a taxi. And like others have said between the 10% and 15% mark at restaraunts etc.

Why do I tip? Because I was genuinely impressed with the service we got. Benihanas was great, the service at the Brazillian place at the Intercon was also very good.

You're right, I don't HAVE to tip... but these guys are being paid a lot less than I am (and I wouldn't say I'm paid particularly great right now) but it's nice to share, isn't it? At the end of the day, if we had a AED250 bill (per person), AED25 isn't exactly a great deal more... it's about £4.

Although, if the service was paritcular poor... i.e: attitude problems, no communication, rudeness... then I won't tip. But if the guy has done their job well, why not show that little extra appreciation?

Madam Medusa Jul 13th 2009 9:57 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Amnesia180 (Post 7747720)
Last time I visited Abu Dhabi, I tended to tip up to the nearest note for a taxi. And like others have said between the 10% and 15% mark at restaraunts etc.

Why do I tip? Because I was genuinely impressed with the service we got. Benihanas was great, the service at the Brazillian place at the Intercon was also very good.

You're right, I don't HAVE to tip... but these guys are being paid a lot less than I am (and I wouldn't say I'm paid particularly great right now) but it's nice to share, isn't it? At the end of the day, if we had a AED250 bill (per person), AED25 isn't exactly a great deal more... it's about £4.

Although, if the service was paritcular poor... i.e: attitude problems, no communication, rudeness... then I won't tip. But if the guy has done their job well, why not show that little extra appreciation?
yeah, i agree with you...(ohhh, and i LOVE that brazilian place at the intercon, lol...)

actually, i probably overtip taxis and petrol station guys etc...but i have cut back in some places, eg i always used to tip the guys in hotels who get you a taxi, and now i don't unless they really have had to do something special, but boy i do feel bad every time...

MM, xx

Amnesia180 Jul 13th 2009 10:03 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7747876)
yeah, i agree with you...(ohhh, and i LOVE that brazilian place at the intercon, lol...)

actually, i probably overtip taxis and petrol station guys etc...but i have cut back in some places, eg i always used to tip the guys in hotels who get you a taxi, and now i don't unless they really have had to do something special, but boy i do feel bad every time...

MM, xx
Yes, it's great isn't it! :thumbup: I love the Green/Red card thing... once the red card is shown, that's "recovery time" and then as soon as the green appears the waiters are straight over with some sort of fancy meat. Mmmm... I'm getting hungry now! :rofl:

I think it also depends if you're on holiday or living there, on holiday we tipped the guy doing the valet parking for the Rotana because he seemed to always be there when we were there... so at the end of the week we just gave him a small token, to show appreciation. But if I lived there... it might be different?

On holiday, you also tend to feel more "generous" (maybe?).

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 10:08 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7747876)
yeah, i agree with you...(ohhh, and i LOVE that brazilian place at the intercon, lol...)

actually, i probably overtip taxis and petrol station guys etc...but i have cut back in some places, eg i always used to tip the guys in hotels who get you a taxi, and now i don't unless they really have had to do something special, but boy i do feel bad every time...

MM, xx
tell me about this brazilian place then....

Euc- Jul 13th 2009 10:13 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Amnesia180 (Post 7747892)
Yes, it's great isn't it! :thumbup: I love the Green/Red card thing... once the red card is shown, that's "recovery time" and then as soon as the green appears the waiters are straight over with some sort of fancy meat. Mmmm... I'm getting hungry now! :rofl:

I think it also depends if you're on holiday or living there, on holiday we tipped the guy doing the valet parking for the Rotana because he seemed to always be there when we were there... so at the end of the week we just gave him a small token, to show appreciation. But if I lived there... it might be different?

On holiday, you also tend to feel more "generous" (maybe?).
Oh dear, how many people have said that to me! Although at the time I was actually living in the hotel :p

What Rotana did you stay? Al Bustan I guess?

Madam Medusa Jul 13th 2009 10:16 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747904)
tell me about this brazilian place then....
it's in abu dhabi, sadly...it's a churrascaria, they give you a disk, and if you leave it on green, and they keep coming round with all sorts of amazing meats on skewers, then you turn it onto red when you've finished...it's fab...

MM, xx

Amnesia180 Jul 13th 2009 10:19 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Euc- (Post 7747912)
Oh dear, how many people have said that to me! Although at the time I was actually living in the hotel :p

What Rotana did you stay? Al Bustan I guess?
Haha - I guess it is a trick of their trade "always being there" :)

I wasn't staying at the Rotana, I just went their daily for the pool (I loved the little bar that sits inside the bar and the food was lovely)! We also went to Benihanas there (situated inside) and met a few friends there for lunch a couple of times.

I don't know if it was Al Bustan or not? It's not far from Al Wadha Mall if that makes any difference?

Euc- Jul 13th 2009 10:23 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Amnesia180 (Post 7747921)
Haha - I guess it is a trick of their trade "always being there" :)

I wasn't staying at the Rotana, I just went their daily for the pool (I loved the little bar that sits inside the bar and the food was lovely)! We also went to Benihanas there (situated inside) and met a few friends there for lunch a couple of times.

I don't know if it was Al Bustan or not? It's not far from Al Wadha Mall if that makes any difference?
Oh lol, no, that was Beach Rotana! :thumbup:

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 10:26 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7747917)
it's in abu dhabi, sadly...it's a churrascaria, they give you a disk, and if you leave it on green, and they keep coming round with all sorts of amazing meats on skewers, then you turn it onto red when you've finished...it's fab...

MM, xx
oh man it sounds class. There's meant to be a good argentinian place over here, you been?

Amnesia180 Jul 13th 2009 10:29 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Euc- (Post 7747930)
Oh lol, no, that was Beach Rotana! :thumbup:
Oh right, oops! It would help if I knew where I was actually going!

Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747935)
oh man it sounds class. There's meant to be a good argentinian place over here, you been?
It really is great. There's also a salad bar that you can help yourself too and it has a mixture and nice and wonderful "extras".

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 10:37 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Amnesia180 (Post 7747947)
Oh right, oops! It would help if I knew where I was actually going!



It really is great. There's also a salad bar that you can help yourself too and it has a mixture and nice and wonderful "extras".
erm, like what?

Amnesia180 Jul 13th 2009 10:51 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747968)
erm, like what?
Little rice things, plenty of pata type dishes, the regular herb/garlic/mayo based sauces/condiments, humous (sp?), all that regular stuff... oh and fried banana!!

Spugsy Jul 13th 2009 11:03 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Amnesia180 (Post 7748007)
Little rice things, plenty of pata type dishes, the regular herb/garlic/mayo based sauces/condiments, humous (sp?), all that regular stuff... oh and fried banana!!
yum fried banana!

Humous makes me want to honk, it stinks.

Madam Medusa Jul 13th 2009 11:10 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747935)
oh man it sounds class. There's meant to be a good argentinian place over here, you been?
not la parilla in jbh...? there a latin american one in the hilton which is meant to be good, haven't been though...

MM, xx

Autonomy Jul 13th 2009 11:18 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7748043)
not la parilla in jbh...? there a latin american one in the hilton which is meant to be good, haven't been though...

MM, xx
Asada in Palace is Arg no? Zaytoun at Fest City Intercon has a Brazilian night on Weds.

Not been to either so can't comment / recommend though....

MacScot Jul 13th 2009 11:19 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747935)
oh man it sounds class. There's meant to be a good argentinian place over here, you been?
I sometimes go to the South American restaurant (Pachanga) upstairs via the escalator in the Hilton Jumeirah Resort at Dubai Marina. The steaks are good and Argentinian (I think). A wee bit pricey, though, so just for special occasions. :)

Madam Medusa Jul 13th 2009 11:26 am
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Autonomy (Post 7748062)
Asada in Palace is Arg no?
oh yeah, doh...i did a brunch there which was really good, but went a couple of weeks later for dinner and service was appalling (and food not so great)...may just have been a bad night though...

MM, xx

Confucius Jul 13th 2009 1:33 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7747876)
yeah, i agree with you...(ohhh, and i LOVE that brazilian place at the intercon, lol...)

actually, i probably overtip taxis and petrol station guys etc...but i have cut back in some places, eg i always used to tip the guys in hotels who get you a taxi, and now i don't unless they really have had to do something special, but boy i do feel bad every time...

MM, xx
The reason is that you are now working for that money...Unlike before...

Jeeper Jul 13th 2009 1:50 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Spugsy (Post 7747392)
you tight get, the reason I tip over here is because unlike the UK some of these lads are getting paid almost nothing.
Yeah - but like I said - at least they're getting a wage.

Do you give anything to charity - to people who get paid / and have nothing?
I am frugal - but I ain't tight. I tip. And I donate.
I'm just questionning the practice.

Jeeper Jul 13th 2009 2:05 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 7747876)
yeah, i agree with you...(ohhh, and i LOVE that brazilian place at the intercon, lol...)

actually, i probably overtip taxis and petrol station guys etc...but i have cut back in some places, eg i always used to tip the guys in hotels who get you a taxi, and now i don't unless they really have had to do something special, but boy i do feel bad every time...

MM, xx
and there it is - one of the reasons we tip. Guilt.

It is said that no human does anything unless there is some benefit to be had.

It's a bit sad but true when you think about it.

Madam Medusa Jul 13th 2009 2:06 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Jeeper (Post 7748453)
and there it is - one of the reasons we tip. Guilt.

It is said that no human does anything unless there is some benefit to be had.

It's a bit sad but true when you think about it.
yeah, i totally agree...

MM, xx

Confucius Jul 13th 2009 4:57 pm
Re: Tipping in Dubai
 
Originally Posted by Jeeper (Post 7748412)
Yeah - but like I said - at least they're getting a wage.

Do you give anything to charity - to people who get paid / and have nothing?
I am frugal - but I ain't tight. I tip. And I donate.
I'm just questionning the practice.
Allow me to give you a sincere karma...


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