Tipping

Post by **Hurghada Lady** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:10 pm

Tipping is a way of life in Egypt, if someone does something you would consider as an extra effort, he expects to be tipped. You should only tip if you feel you want to, you are under no pressure to do so, but it would leave a good impression, and many Egyptian people survive on very little.

Tip appropriately and please, don't give small notes or coins as a tip to people who helped you all the way throughout your trip, such as drivers, tour leaders, and tour escorts, it would be an insult to them, Also, do not offer tips to professionals, businessmen, or others who would consider themselves your equals, as you may seriously offend them by your act.

Post by **Grandad** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:35 pm

I believe I tip fairly generously HL but on L4U there was a thread suggesting that Brits were poor tippers or didn't tip at all.

What is your personal experience in this respect?

:gg:

Post by **Hurghada Lady** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:47 pm

I always tip well, if they are very helpful I tip even more. But it's funny, because I was talking to some waiters and they actually said the same thing the English don't tip very well, I was surprised.

I am always giving baksheesh to poor people also, we have an old man that sits at the side of Pizza Hut and Kentucky, he is there every day, I always give him 50le and my husband buys him a Kentucky Meal.

Post by **Grandad** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:01 pm

That sounds extremely generous to me for someone who sounds like a street beggar. I am sure he is very happy each time you pass by.

We always stay at the Nile Palace in Luxor and the staff say that Russians are the worst tippers, ie, not at all.

We know many of the staff there very well, well enough to discuss tips, but they have never commented about Brits and tipping.

:gg:

Post by **Horus** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:23 pm

Without sounding like I am bragging, but I always tip well in Egypt, I treat it as a part of my holiday. That does not mean that I throw money around as I am fairly selective with my tips. My regular taxi driver always does very well as do my hotel waiters and room cleaners. Likewise if I am haggling I always try to drive the price to the best level I can, but once I have clinched the deal I usually pay something higher that I feel is more realistic to the goods I have bought, that way everyone is happy. My bottom line is this: If it is a bargain to me then I do not need to drive the guy into poverty for what is a small amount to me but may feed his family.

Post by **Hurghada Lady** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:33 pm

Not really Grandad, we don't go that often.

Do you know the one in Luxor in Manchea Street, that has no legs and on a sort of skate board, platform thing on wheels? Don't know if he is still there or not, I used to do the same with him.