Now onto a much more serious topic. At least in my opinion.
India is a very poor country. Probably the poorest I've seen in my travels and I've only been here 4 days. There are poorer countries in Africa but much of it is in the more remote regions that don't get the general attention and number of tourists that India does.
I booked an all day tour of Bangalore for tomorrow. It starts at 7:15am and ends at 8:00pm. I'm going to be driven around in an air conditioned bus by a driver and tour guide to see some of the more interesting sights of Bangalore. The total price for this level of service? Get ready now...
$6.25 USD.
And tipping is not allowed since it's sponsored by the tourism board.
My McDonald's lunch today for a sandwich, coke, and fries?
$3.33 US. Super-sized.
I did a lot of research before I came about the proper etiquette for tipping. Most websites and forums said 50-100 rupees for GOOD SERVICE.
50 rupees is $0.81 USD.
Here lies the moral dilemma. What is acceptable vs. what is right? The average per capita income a MONTH in India is 5729 rupees a month. Or $93.06.
So is the acceptable thing to do pay tips in the amounts that society has deemed appropriate based on the value of the dollar? Or the disadvantage the tipee is at being they are the one who has to provide the service? Knowing they have to provide excellent if not stellar service just for the shot at a small pittance. Is the right thing to do try to help those who are simply trying to make a living by being a little more generous, still without putting one in financial distress?
I find myself struggling with this since ask anyone who knows me, I am a generous person. I've done well in life and recognize that most everyone else is simply trying to do the same. Except those lazy bastards who just sit around and expect good things to happen to them. They can kiss off.
Case in point. My driver who picked me up from the airport on Wednesday. Nice, professional, well-dressed man. He admitted he isn't well educated and his English is spotty. But he's putting his 11 year old daughter in private school so she'll hopefully have a better life than he has. During our chit-chat, I asked him how many more pick ups he has? He said none. I was his last. It was 9 in the morning. I asked him how long his shift has been? He said 13 hours. He had been at it all night long. So I asked him why he took my pick up? His answer: "I saw you were American. American's tip better."
I gave him 500 rupees ($8.12 USD) for a 48 minute drive.
He looked at it. Extended his hand for me to shake. Thanked me. Thanked me again. Then rolled down his window to wave and thank me again after he unloaded my luggage. That was probably more than he made all night.
Did I do the right thing though?
In my mind, yes. I can afford $8 and I'm certain he can use the 500 rupees. But am I setting him up for disappointment by other travellers who might not be so generous? The ones who might give him 50 or 100 rupees or maybe nothing for shuttling them all over Bangalore? As far as I'm concerned, if someone can get me where I want to go safe and sound, especially in the driving conditions here, $8 is a small price to pay for my life. I think most people would agree once they put it into that context.
But the question still remains.
Where is the line between socially acceptable and morally right?
India is a very poor country. Probably the poorest I've seen in my travels and I've only been here 4 days. There are poorer countries in Africa but much of it is in the more remote regions that don't get the general attention and number of tourists that India does.
I booked an all day tour of Bangalore for tomorrow. It starts at 7:15am and ends at 8:00pm. I'm going to be driven around in an air conditioned bus by a driver and tour guide to see some of the more interesting sights of Bangalore. The total price for this level of service? Get ready now...
$6.25 USD.
And tipping is not allowed since it's sponsored by the tourism board.
My McDonald's lunch today for a sandwich, coke, and fries?
$3.33 US. Super-sized.
I did a lot of research before I came about the proper etiquette for tipping. Most websites and forums said 50-100 rupees for GOOD SERVICE.
50 rupees is $0.81 USD.
Here lies the moral dilemma. What is acceptable vs. what is right? The average per capita income a MONTH in India is 5729 rupees a month. Or $93.06.
So is the acceptable thing to do pay tips in the amounts that society has deemed appropriate based on the value of the dollar? Or the disadvantage the tipee is at being they are the one who has to provide the service? Knowing they have to provide excellent if not stellar service just for the shot at a small pittance. Is the right thing to do try to help those who are simply trying to make a living by being a little more generous, still without putting one in financial distress?
I find myself struggling with this since ask anyone who knows me, I am a generous person. I've done well in life and recognize that most everyone else is simply trying to do the same. Except those lazy bastards who just sit around and expect good things to happen to them. They can kiss off.
Case in point. My driver who picked me up from the airport on Wednesday. Nice, professional, well-dressed man. He admitted he isn't well educated and his English is spotty. But he's putting his 11 year old daughter in private school so she'll hopefully have a better life than he has. During our chit-chat, I asked him how many more pick ups he has? He said none. I was his last. It was 9 in the morning. I asked him how long his shift has been? He said 13 hours. He had been at it all night long. So I asked him why he took my pick up? His answer: "I saw you were American. American's tip better."
I gave him 500 rupees ($8.12 USD) for a 48 minute drive.
He looked at it. Extended his hand for me to shake. Thanked me. Thanked me again. Then rolled down his window to wave and thank me again after he unloaded my luggage. That was probably more than he made all night.
Did I do the right thing though?
In my mind, yes. I can afford $8 and I'm certain he can use the 500 rupees. But am I setting him up for disappointment by other travellers who might not be so generous? The ones who might give him 50 or 100 rupees or maybe nothing for shuttling them all over Bangalore? As far as I'm concerned, if someone can get me where I want to go safe and sound, especially in the driving conditions here, $8 is a small price to pay for my life. I think most people would agree once they put it into that context.
But the question still remains.
Where is the line between socially acceptable and morally right?
Cool story. I think good people deserve good things. No need to break it down any further than that. Plus you just helped his family out more than you think. I would have given him 1,000 rupees but that's just me :)
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