First off, let me say: so far I really like Qatar - the amazing skyline, the comfortable way people from all nationalities mix, the relaxed atmosphere, especially in comparison to Saudi Arabia. I too wish I knew better how to tip. I don't want to tip too little, but I also don't want my generosity taken advantage of. With the number of people in any day needing tipping it adds up and can get annoying. I'm here to earn money for retirement, but it really bothers me knowing some people are paid so little. In Canada it's easier to know how much to tip because we know how much restaurant servers are paid and that the tip is usually shared with the cooks, "bus boys", host, etc. We also know what our minimum wage is. Does Qatar have a minimum wage? I'm lucky to have someone come clean my apartment floors and bathrooms. Each visit I make them tea and dessert and on the Eids I plan to give them a larger tip. For gas station attendants etc. it would be simpler if the employer simply paid them a decent wage. For trolley pushers at the grocery store, the guy at the airport, trolley pushers in the vegetable market or souk I think it's easiest to actually ask them before accepting their service what amount they expect for a tip. That avoids any look of disappointment on their face if you don't tip what they were expecting. Thanks for the advice about refusing to pay for the added on service charge or at least asking what it is for. I'm having coffee this week with a friend who has lived in Qatar for 8 years. I'm planning to grill her on these points.
First off, let me say: so far I really like Qatar - the amazing skyline, the comfortable way people from all nationalities mix, the relaxed atmosphere, especially in comparison to Saudi Arabia. I too wish I knew better how to tip. I don't want to tip too little, but I also don't want my generosity taken advantage of. With the number of people in any day needing tipping it adds up and can get annoying. I'm here to earn money for retirement, but it really bothers me knowing some people are paid so little. In Canada it's easier to know how much to tip because we know how much restaurant servers are paid and that the tip is usually shared with the cooks, "bus boys", host, etc. We also know what our minimum wage is. Does Qatar have a minimum wage? I'm lucky to have someone come clean my apartment floors and bathrooms. Each visit I make them tea and dessert and on the Eids I plan to give them a larger tip. For gas station attendants etc. it would be simpler if the employer simply paid them a decent wage. For trolley pushers at the grocery store, the guy at the airport, trolley pushers in the vegetable market or souk I think it's easiest to actually ask them before accepting their service what amount they expect for a tip. That avoids any look of disappointment on their face if you don't tip what they were expecting. Thanks for the advice about refusing to pay for the added on service charge or at least asking what it is for. I'm having coffee this week with a friend who has lived in Qatar for 8 years. I'm planning to grill her on these points.