Paying the tourist rate for Gua Guas and Local Taxis?

[gary Rowan]

I can`t believe that you can be so "cheap" by begrudging these people a few cents on a ride which would cost you a lot more back in the States or Europe!!

Nobody wants to be ripped off but get real please!!

[Sosuany]

There is a point. I found myself not giving these people tip on taxi rides. Is this okay? For example, from the airport to sosua I would negotiate the rate down to 500 pesos for the 10 minute ride to my hotel from the normal 660 pesos. I know that I would never do that in the states. I was told by my hotel that the ride from sosua to cabarete was 30 pesos. I asked a guy who was hitching a ride at the same time from Cabarete to Sosua what he was paying, he said vente pesos. Anyway, someone told me that I shouldn't be upset by the price differences. There are different rates in different areas of the world where tourists pay a different rate. However, I felt that this rate or policy is never stated in DR. I'm willing to pay extra if thats the policy.

[KeithF]

Originally Posted by gary Rowan

I can`t believe that you can be so "cheap" by begrudging these people a few cents on a ride which would cost you a lot more back in the States or Europe!!

Nobody wants to be ripped off but get real please!!

It's not about being 'cheap', nor do I "begrudge these people a few cents" but very much the principle. I have given extra on a gua-gua where the driver was safe and the 'conductor' was friendly. I gave the 'correct' money, then an extra note seperately to make it clear it was 'a tip'. I've had taxi rides where I negotiated the price down at the start of the journey, then paid almost the original price at the end, again making it clear that it was a tip for good driving/service.

But could you imagine the outcry if a coloured person was charged more than a white person on a bus or taxi in the US or Europe? If you are fundamentaly against that, then surely the same stands elsewhere? Do I 'deserve' to be discriminated against 'because I can afford it'? I know there is a 'gringo tax' in many places in the world, that doesn't mean I should simply accept it!

[manunut]

Originally Posted by gary Rowan

I can`t believe that you can be so "cheap" by begrudging these people a few cents on a ride which would cost you a lot more back in the States or Europe!!

Nobody wants to be ripped off but get real please!!

Senior Rowan,cheap is not tipping for a service in a bar/rest,hotel porters and so on.these guys provide a standard service(or should i say sub standard)at a set fee.there is no need or obligation on any gringo, tourist or resident, to pay over the odds to "these people?".
they make a damm good living believe it or not,do the math.
and when you are here any considerable amount of time you yourself BECOME "these people" so why in the world should you allow yerself be treated as a schmuck as opposed to a cheapie,cheapie?

[dv8]

Originally Posted by manunut

Senior Rowan,cheap is not tipping for a service in a bar/rest,hotel porters and so on.these guys provide a standard service(or should i say sub standard)at a set fee.there is no need or obligation on any gringo, tourist or resident, to pay over the odds to "these people?".

if i am unhappy with the service i DO NOT tip.

and i certainly do not tip on the top of a standard fee! if in the shop cola cola is 15 pesos you do not pay 20, do you, rowan? so i do not like to pay more on my bus ride.

and besides, few pesos here, few pesos there and i have a snickers bar. now THAT makes me happy....

[manunut]

Originally Posted by dv8

if i am unhappy with the service i DO NOT tip.

and i certainly do not tip on the top of a standard fee! if in the shop cola cola is 15 pesos you do not pay 20, do you, rowan? so i do not like to pay more on my bus ride.

and besides, few pesos here, few pesos there and i have a snickers bar. now THAT makes me happy....

with the few pasos here and there that i save i get to take a lady of my choice out for a nice hotdog meal.hence my money goes to someone who "really"needs it.and not some greedy "bus conductor".

[Malibook]

Originally Posted by KeithF

I've had taxi rides where I negotiated the price down at the start of the journey, then paid almost the original price at the end, again making it clear that it was a tip for good driving/service.

I have a regular driver I have used for the past 5 years.
We never discuss price and I usually pay him less than the list prices but I do take very good care of him.

This is what I used to do.

If a driver tries to rip me off, I will move on even if he comes back with a great price.

If he is a little high, I might tell him a price and let him know there is potential for him to make much more.

If he gives me a good price, I will give him drinks, food, and tips, and get his number for repeat business.
This often ends up costing me much more than the list prices but I don't care because it is by choice as opposed be being gouged.

[Malibook]

Originally Posted by dv8

and i certainly do not tip on the top of a standard fee! if in the shop cola cola is 15 pesos you do not pay 20, do you, rowan? so i do not like to pay more on my bus ride.

I might tip a lot more than 5 pesos depending on how cute she is.