In Reply to: Is there a reason why you would randomly posted by purplest on Friday, 8. February 2008 at 10:29 Bali Time:
Well, purplest, you may recall that I said I was not too sure about giving gifts and the reason for that is that I don't agree with it for the very reasons you mention. We were in Nepal many years ago and at that time at least, travellers were discouraged from this practice as it WAS turning children into being in the habit of having their hands out. I believe that the best way of helping the Balinese is to purchase their goods and services, thereby increasing the income they have to spend in their own communities on goods and services provided by their countrymen. HOWEVER, the reason I asked the question was because of a nasty experience we had in another Asian country on a very small island. We had just arrived (first time overseas, so no doubt naive) and the porter stood his ground plainly expecting a tip. We had no local currency so he made it very plain and rather aggressively that he would be back next day. We managed to get some currency and sure enough he was back next day. We gave him his tip, whereupon he glared at the money in his hand, glared at us and stalked off. Whenever he saw us after that he would give us the evil eye. It was really quite off putting and even a bit frightening. I have never come across a Balinese like that but it is a situation I do not wish to be in again. SO, whilst I disagree with the practice, I was only asking whether it was the done thing because I don't want a nasty pall cast over the day. Cheers,Yak