Tips for postman, taxi-driver etc?

RastaMan · 13-12-2006, 06:27 PM

If a postman came to your door to deliver a package, is tipping expected? Same question with taxi drivers after the trip. Thanks a bunch.

obviouspig · 13-12-2006, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by RastaMan:

If a postman came to your door to deliver a package, is tipping expected? Same question with taxi drivers after the trip. Thanks a bunch.

no and no. i am not sure if HKP allows their postmen to take tips. as for taxi drivers, its pretty much understood that you round up to the nearest dollar. although i like to give exact change if the a/c isn't cool enough, or if he steps on the brakes rather than the gas at yellow lights.

HKChigger · 13-12-2006, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by obviouspig:

no and no. i am not sure if HKP allows their postmen to take tips. as for taxi drivers, its pretty much understood that you round up to the nearest dollar. although i like to give exact change if the a/c isn't cool enough, or if he steps on the brakes rather than the gas at yellow lights.

Punish your driver for obeying the law by stopping if a light is yellow and it is safe to stop?

obviouspig · 14-12-2006, 10:33 AM

at the very least, I wouldn't want a taxi driver that obeys speed limits

Beth Danae · 14-12-2006, 02:06 PM

No wonder many taxi drivers thank me profusely as I leave a mere $5HK extra! A 'lil cheap, piggy...

What's too bad is the drivers don't know our unique preferences (like keeping the radio down for me or speeding for you) and therefore can't even work for a tip if they wanted to...

PDLM · 14-12-2006, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Beth Danae:

No wonder many taxi drivers thank me profusely as I leave a mere $5HK extra!

You tip taxi drivers??? PLEASE don't do that.

Beth Danae · 14-12-2006, 02:22 PM

PDLM, you don't even bother to say why you think I shouldn't?

PDLM · 14-12-2006, 03:18 PM

Because if you do they will begin to expect all non-Chinese to, and that becomes a pain for all of us. I've already had a few drivers who seem to think that "white face = tip" and I don't like it.

z754103 · 14-12-2006, 04:16 PM

Postmen in HK are public employees. As such, it is illegal for them to accept tips.

jayinhongkong · 14-12-2006, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by PDLM:

Because if you do they will begin to expect all non-Chinese to, and that becomes a pain for all of us. I've already had a few drivers who seem to think that "white face = tip" and I don't like it.

I agree wholeheartedly. I spend enough on cabs every week. While the 'white face' issue doesn't concern me, I can see mandatory tips being a universal problem if a lot of people start giving 'em out. I don't want to shell out anymore than I already do.