No Tipping Please

Before moving to Singapore we read a lot of books on the culture and we had an eight hour cultural training course that we went through.  One of the things that is very different here than in the U.S.A. is tipping.

Tipping is not done in Singapore, at all.  It is really strange to just walk out and pay the bill exactly, and not include a tip.  I feel a bit like I am being mean or something.

Having said this I really like the no tipping policy, now some restaurants do include gratuity in your bill so the server is getting a predetermined amount but it is not something that you have to decide on.

At first I wondered if this would affect the kind of service you get, I mean as a former waitress I know that you work for those tips, you make small talk, try to make a connection, fill the water glass, clear the plate check to see if they need anything, push dessert, and drinks because the bigger the bill the bigger the tip.

We find that we actually get very good service over here but they serve you because that is what they are suppose to do, they are not getting a tip but it is in the culture here to want to please those who you are serving.

  It is not uncommon to have a server pull out my chair for me before I sit, and sometimes they even place the napkin on your lap.  They will not bring the bill unless you ask for it but when they bring it they do not just drop it and leave, leaving you sitting there wanting to go, waiting for your server to come back so you can pay.  When they bring you the bill they stand at the table and wait for you to get payment ready, they want you to look over your bill to be sure that all is right.

We have run into some difficulties with this wanting to please nature of the culture especially when it comes to asking directions to somewhere.  Several times now we have gotten directions from a smiling face and they have been totally wrong!  As you can imagine this is very frustrating.   Not because they purposely told us the wrong way but rather because they want to please us so they just tell us something and smile about it.  We love the GPS, it is usually correct, although it does not smile.

So I will admit, I have given a few tips because I can't just not tip them, it seems improper, the tips we have given have been met with much delight and that..... makes tipping a pleasure verses giving someone who is expecting a tip a tip.