Personally, I never tip. Reason is because I am always on budget, and do think that it's more a western way of thanking more for a service when you actually already paid for the full service. If you start to tip to these people, there's a risk they might start to judge you on how much they get tips, especially for future travellers.
So giving as much tips as in western countries is also a bad idea, 'cause at first their salaries isn't the same as us, so tips should be far less than some westerners pay. And in the end their smiles will be based on just your generous tips, which for us is a small sum, but for them is really a lot, don't forget it. I am not discouraging people to do so, but future customers should be a bit aware of the impact it could provoc on them.
Again this is just me !
I'm sorry but i can't let this thread end on this opinion. I fail to see any problem with tipping. "These people" are hardworking and have families just like you and me. When was the last time you received poor service or were "judged" in Indonesia or elsewhere because of what the previous tourist or customer tipped, or did not?
Hemmingway once said the best way to make friends while traveling is to tip well and often. I don't see anything wrong with that idea. You are supporting economies and people's livelihoods by touring into foreign countries and spending money, budget traveler or not. A large portion of successful marine conservation efforts in the Philippines and Indonesia is fueled by dive tourism. When you support the local people you give more reason for these areas to be protected instead of being bombed with dynamite or shark finned for survival.
Believe me, and this goes for people in customer service everywhere, if someone gives a generous tip it is nothing but appreciated, it doesn't set the bar or standard or whatever. They will be very grateful since they get paid nothing even by Indonesian standards and this is what they support their families on. So what if they love a great tip! If someone gives a poor tip, there is no revenge, it's just forgotten. I understand that there are cultural differences in attitudes towards tipping, but if you travel to a culture where tipping is accepted, or has become accepted for good reason, you should tip. Traveling on a budget is not an excuse. I work in customer service therefore I always travel on a budget, but tipping is part of that budget.
Tip well, tip often.
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