In Reply to: Inviting drivers for dinner posted by steveandhev on Monday, 2. June 2008 at 19:53 Bali Time:
wherever you will go there will normally be a lot of drivers waiting around, so they all chat to one another. i always think that it is polite, as somebody mentioned earlier to give them 20,000 while they wait (on top of the fare that you have negotiated) because with this they can get themselves some food and/or a drink. as somebody else mentioned, if you are stopping at a small place somewhere, where there are not many other drivers, it is always nice to offer your driver a drink or something and they would probably love to sit down and join you. i remember the first time I had a particular driver who I now use regularly he was taking me to an orphanage about an hour out of Legian and we stopped at the shops to get groceries - he came in and pushed the trolley, loaded all the food in, then sat in the car whilst we all went to get a drink, refusing the offer of one. when i brought him back a cold drink the smile on his face is magical - it was so sweet, he didnt want to accept the offer and appear that he was being helpful for something in return, but who wouldnt want a cold drink on a hot bali day!! basically, i think be generous - it wont hurt and its much appreciated!