I came accross this interesting article while piddling about the internet today. It seems Jordan’s King Abdullah stopped in at a Delaware TGI Friday’s while in the U.S. last week. (”I was like blown away, because who comes to T.G.I. Friday’s? Not putting us down, but, I mean, a king?” -the store manager) What struck me was a bit of math, “the entourage spent nearly $600 on the meal” and “They tipped royally, $64.” Now, to me, ten percent not only isn’t a royal tip, it’s actually a really sucky tip.
Of course, proper tipping is something that marks a saavy traveler. In the U.S. we tip 15-20%. I think we’re on the high end; everywhere else I’ve ever lived tips less (if at all). In addition to how much one tips, there are questions of who one tips. Taxi drivers? Delivery people? The police?
In any case, as official representatives of the American people, most of the Foreign Service Officers I know try to tip according to local customs, leaning generous. Let Abdullah’s cultural gaffe be a reminder to all of us as to the importance of local expertise.
King Abdullah’s Not a Very Good Tipper
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
In my own travels, I tend to tip over-generously after bargaining over-zealously. I guess it’s the intersection of “you’re not going to make a fool out of me!” with “but I don’t want to be a jerk about it”.
That said, I’m a huge fan of places that neither bargain nor tip; preset prices are one of the unsung achievements of civilization.
I loved being in Italy and China where there is basically no tipping. Italian guidebooks try to say that you should tip, but every Italian I talked to said that’s a lie. In China, some service people think you forgot your money and give it back (though I think this is becoming much rarer).
Why is $60 some odd bucks cheap? Why is it based upon the percentage? If someone brings you a $100 meal or a $20 meal, did they do more work for the expensive one. Expensive restaurants staff more waiters (so less tables, thus needing larger tips), but TGIFridays doesn’t do this.
Also, one other point. King Abdullah according to Wikipedia is 84. It’s a pretty common stereotype in the U.S. that old people are terrible tippers. So really maybe this wasn’t much of a gaffe.
Lol @ Anonymous, you made my day.
You “tip” the police? Eastern Europe traffic cops, perhaps! :)
Anonymous, I think you’ve got the wrong royal. It’s King Abdullah of Jordan who was at TGI Fridays, not the elderly King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. I doubt that the Saudi King ever eats in chain restaurants. But, if he did, given his history of lavish gifting, I’m sure he would leave a Saudi-sized tip.
Having worked as a server as a restaurant, I totally agree that other nations don’t seem to “believe” in tipping. It’s hard not to become a tad racist when nearly every Mexican and Asian table you serve leaves you 10% or less (with the occasional mind-boggling 15% exception)!!
Some chains (e.g. Outback) don’t let their servers use an 18% gratuity. Is T.G.I. Friday’s one of them?? Sad day for the poor soul who had to wait on Abdullah!
I just read the article itself and it said they tipped “$64 for the tea and coffee”…. presumably, they did not spend $600 on tea and coffee alone. To tip $64 just on tea and coffee is beyond extravagant, I’m sure the tip for their actual MEAL was much more.
After closer reading of the article, it’s apparent that T.G.I. Friday’s isn’t even where they left the $64 tip….it was at a place called the Bayard House, where they sat for a half hour and drank tea and coffee. The tip for their meal at T.G.I. Friday’s was unreported.
Perhaps read a little closer next time, Hegemonist :) A very interesting point to bring up though!
Oops wrong Abdullah. It looks like King Abdullah II of Jordan is only 47. That doesn’t make for as amusing of a post though.
You think a King actually lives a tip? I’d think someone else would manage and hold his money.
Also read the article, but as Kristi’s earlier post points out - the tip was on the tea and coffee for half an hour of service. $64? Awesome tip.
Perhaps your post should be rewritten to adhere to the facts, “King Abdullah - ally and great tipper” As for cultural gaffe -since they were royal with the tip - I’d say this was an example of him trying to understand our culture more. I find it endearing that he did choose an American restaurant where most Americans go to. We laud ourselves when we go overseas and try and find the most “authentic” local restaurant around. I’m sure you could find a more local restaurant, but if you want experience the US chain mentality, really there is no better place than Fridays.
Too bad he chose T.G.I. Fridays. Now he probably has the mistaken impression that American food is disgusting.
I find it sad and slightly disgusting that many of your posts (and comments by others) involve you thinking how you are superior to others with various complaints and odd judgements–and also that YOU are a DIPLOMAT who is supposed to REPRESENT me and other fellow Americans and my country?! I didn’t realize that diplomacy is fighting fire with fire???? I mean does that REALLY make the world a better place?!?!????
My whole life I grew up thinking I wanted to help the world and actually become a diplomat, but after reading some of your posts, it frightens me to see that our own diplomats can be so negative and un-educated on multiple levels!! Traveling and living throughout the world and having hundreds of experiences (both good and bad) myself..I still couldn’t come up with the stuff you pull out! I guess I just don’t see life so negatively?
I just cannot believe that even though you might be confronted with hatred and things you do not believe in or even agree with, that you believe in getting sucked into this cycle of hatred (the same hatred YOU dislike!) and just perpetuate ignorance…I just didn’t know that was diplomacy…I’m disappointed…
Good luck sir.