4 ms·

But when you realise that tipping is bribing public officials to get service that regular taxpayers do not get, doesn't that take the shine off?

• rdl 10y ago
  I don't consider a hotel bellman to be a public official, despite the Pinochetian uniform. (In the case of Beijing, the police were just friendly and no tip was expected. The hotel staff I'd tipped (concierge, etc) were the preparation; it was the #4 guy at hotel (director of guest experience; reports to GM) who helped me. He is senior enough that I didn't tip him, but did get him rewarded through Starwood, and will bring him a suitable gift next time I'm in Beijing -- presumably a bottle of alcohol of some kind not commonly available in China, or some other US thing)
• psyc 10y ago
  Have you ever actually bribed someone? It's fun. Makes you feel like you're in the movies.
  • snovv_crash 10y ago
    It's great until you start getting threats of arrest for stuff you didn't do as bribe solicitation.
    • rdl 10y ago
      Also bad: running afoul of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (if you're an American or in a business which has any connection to the US).
      • isostatic 10y ago
        Certainly bribes (or "tips" as many Americans call them) are illegal for U.K. Citizens.