Tip at Christmas to condo staff

[OzMan]

My gf says that I should tip the staff at my condo in Bangkok at Christmas. She suggested 5,000 baht per person. There are 10 people working there and she wants me to give 50,000 baht in tips! Is she dreaming? I live in a high class condo and the service is good, but 50,000 baht in tips? Do other members tip condo staff at Christmas and, if so, how much?

[richard_smith237]

Tell your GF she is free to tip them as much as she likes !

 

Only 10ppl working at a high end condo??? 

[tlandtday]

I guess maybe she thinks you are a millionaire... wonder where she got that idea...????

[AlexRich]

Don’t gamble, never drink and drive ... and watch yourself going down the stairs! A few “tips” that will come in handy.

 

Thais don’t celebrate Christmas, just like you don’t celebrate Ramadan and Buddha days. Simply no need.

 

Tip for you ... dump the girlfriend!

[brokenbone]

she is not your girlfriend, she is your girlenemy

[tlandtday]

9 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

Don’t gamble, never drink and drive ... and watch yourself going down the stairs! A few “tips” that will come in handy.

 

Thais don’t celebrate Christmas, just like you don’t celebrate Ramadan and Buddha days. Simply no need.

 

Tip for you ... dump the girlfriend!

yeah but just think of the big face she can get from throwing around this cash... then she can really play the hi so...

[OneMoreFarang]

At my condo they have a Christmas party - or maybe a year end party. And everybody living in the condominium is asked for a donation. That money is used to buy presents. And then the staff has a party and a lottery for those presents.

It seems many people give in the 500B to 2000B range (for all the staff together). 

 

In principle I think "why not"? If I have 1000B less in the pocket I basically don't notice it. But for them it makes a difference.

 

Maybe your gf wants to be remembered as the most generous person in that building. And I am sure everybody would remember you and her in a very positive light. But I guess that will also happen with a lot less money. And I guess if you would spend i.e. 50k this year then everybody will have high expectations for next year. Then dare to pay less...

[Sticky Wicket]

Are all ten members of staff her 'brothers'??

[gk10002000]

I suggest a modest food or small buffet be put out for them. Maybe buy a large prepared fruit or cheese and nuts platter, something along those lines.  A few thousand baht can buy a pretty good sized sweets or snack platter.  Go with Thai foods or western stuff.  Whatever Big C or Tesco has available.  Many platters are prepared or you or your wife can make up their own thingy.   In the extended stay place I stayed at, I got one of those big valentine day type cookies they make fresh at the mall.  The thing was like 15 inches across and fed the staff for like three days before they finally finished it.  Put it in the area behind the desk or where the help can get to it, and NOT the tenants.  I made a thank you card so they would know who gave it.   Put enough so it is likely to last across shifts so all or most workers get a shot at it. 

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, OzMan said:

Is she dreaming?

No she's not dreaming, you are having a NIGHTMARE! She wants you to buy 50.000 baht worth of face for her! Ask yourself, is she worth it?

[amykat]

I’m pretty sure she is going to kick back 49000 to herself.  

[ezzra]

Your GF is VERY generous on your dime, that will make HER look good, don't bother, Christmas tims are not common and unnecessary, and you will not get better attention from the staff just because your GF forked your money...

[Puchaiyank]

Here is a tip for you...you are being played now...will be played every time she can think of some excuse to dislodge some money from her personal ATM machine...

 

Say NO now...be leary of her future requests for money...

 

Who is that?  Your brother you say?  This new one is your cousin?  Why is it that only males in your family come to see you?...????

[Curt1591]

1 hour ago, gk10002000 said:

I suggest a modest food or small buffet be put out for them. Maybe buy a large prepared fruit or cheese and nuts platter, something along those lines. 

We have a neighbor, a Thai Catholic doctor, that throws a Christmas party every year, for his staff and those in our mu baan. He provides Thai entrees, desserts, beer and soft drinks. No gifts or money is passed out.
 

 

1 hour ago, Sticky Wicket said:

Are all ten members of staff her 'brothers'??

 

I'm usually a lot less critical of Thai women. Most that I have known have been fine, honest, sweet ladies. However, ... 

Thais often exchange gifts over New Years. The fact that she has chosen Christmas seems like she is appealing to your sensibilities, not any expectation of the workers.

Five thousand baht !?! 

All my in-laws are successful professionals. Over the new year, they may hand out nominal gifts to staff and associates, nothing nearing 5,000 baht. 

Does she spend a lot of time at the condo while you are away at work? She may be hanging out with the help. 

It really seems like you could be played here. Say "no" and judge by the reaction.

 

2 hours ago, OzMan said:

I live in a high class condo and the service is good, but 50,000 baht in tips?

My sister-in-law owns a nice condo. No plans to tip. At 5,000 baht each, with her complex's staff, she could buy another unit! 

Hasn't suggested her boyfriend tip any of his condo's staff either.
 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Curt1591

[amykat]

You should start a huge argument right away with her about why she is trying to steal your money?  Who is she loyal too?  Is she going around trying to get donations for your Xmas present?  No she is not.

[Gecko123]

5,000 x 200 (condo units) = 1,000,000 baht per person.

 

Even if you gave that amount, your girlfriend would be quick to take credit for having pressured you into it. Sure, they'd be grateful to you, but you'd also be seen as a sap.

 

Super generous with farang's money? That's got to be one of the biggest turnoffs I can think of. I'd be really, really troubled by that mindset if I were you.

 

Mrs. Santa Claus? More like Mrs. Santa Claws.

 

 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Gecko123

[steven100]

give them 100 baht each and wish them a happy Christmas.

give the gf a smack in the chops and show her the door and wish her a happy Christmas.

[CharlieH]

Easy to be generous when it isn't your money your giving away!

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Sometimes the threads on here are just amazing. Thais don't tip condo staff, let alone on Chrismas. 5000 baht tip is just ridiculous. Even 5000 for all 10 people (500 each) would be excessive.

 

Do you pay your "girlfriend"? Expenses or otherwise? She sounds very suspicious and likely in it for the money. She obvious does not have your interest in mind as no sane Thai would ask you to give away 50,000 baht. A lot of foreigners coming to Thailand want to believe "their" girl is different, but they are not different - if she has no job and you're paying for her, then you are her job.

[Peterw42]

Tips or gifts for condo staff would be more relevant at songkran or chinese new year (when Thais give gifts), than western xmas.

5,000 baht , or 2 weeks salary for your average cleaner or security guard, is just ridiculous. That amount is the GF trying to appear HiSo.

 

If each staff member got 5,000 baht off 500 condo owners thats 2,500,000 baht, enough to buy a condo each year.

 

I usually just give little tips all year, a coffee or M150 for the security guards when I go to 7/11. A bag of strawberries when they are in season, for the cleaners or office staff to share.

 

Wife often takes a bowl of whatever she has made down for the security guards, they are so appreciative, its as though you have bought them a car.

[smutcakes]

I think many people do give a gift at Christmas whether it be a basket, some snacks to share etc.

 

5,000 per head seems a little extreme but i have seen it done before, i suppose its up to you on whether you can afford it, or want to do that.

 

Personally i think some kanom or a few thousand baht into the pot which will be divided up among staff is sufficient.

 

Whenever i head away i normally bring back a few snacks for them to gorge on throughout the year which they seem to appreciate.

[PatOngo]

???? Here we go again!

 

 

 

[roo860]

I buy a big box of biscuits for them at New year  

[whiteman]

you pay enough by living in this so call expensive condo which keeps them in a job that should be enough. You are being played

[FritsSikkink]

What a joke, let her pay for it or find another girlfriend.

[OneMoreFarang]

Maybe that was mentioned already but I would look what others pay.

In my condominium they have a list who paid how much.

I guess if you pay nothing or considerably less than most that wouldn't help with the staff for the future. Because likely they will be able to see such a list - if it exist in your condominium.

But if you pay (a lot) more than other residents then maybe those other residents won't be happy that you raise the amounts.

Summary, at least from my point of view: Pay a similar amount like everybody else. 

 

[alex8912]

Even a crazed American from Tipperville, South Tipperland would never even consider tipping 10 staff 5k. each!   
....and when your Benz has a flat tire Dec 26 th I already know it was Somchai the 11 th office worker????

[madmen]

11 hours ago, OzMan said:

My gf says that I should tip the staff at my condo in Bangkok at Christmas. She suggested 5,000 baht per person

Which will end 2500 baht after you fall for this little scam and she takes her cut

[khm2412]

We tip our two security guards in our Mooban 6000THB each at Christmas, taken from community funds. They do a good job for us, including taking in parcels and recorded letters when we’re not around.

[WorriedNoodle]

Our condo always provides the occupants with a gift at the end of year, purchased from the spoils from their service fees they collect off of us. We don't give them anything, but sometimes the security guy gets something for services beyond the call of duty like fixing the plumbing.