Tipping

I am not sure if you knew this but people don’t tip here in Beijing. I am surprised by this because the way that people treat us at restaurants is just so unbelievably nice. Even though some struggle to speak English they try their best and are always ready to make sure that we have everything we need. The other day when Kim and I went out to eat Kim wasn’t even able to finish her last gulp of water before they filled it right back up. They always come up and ask us if we need anything else and they are just all so polite. I feel like I want to tip here more than back home sometimes.

The people working at the restaurants all help each other. I think the other night when we were eating we had one person take our order, a different person bring us our water to drink, a different person brought us our pop, another one brought our appetizer, and another person our food. They are all so nice and each one is willing to help out. I guess it would be hard to tip too because by the time they split it between each of them there wouldn’t be much for each of them to have haha

I also remember when we were at the hotel that night a while back. The people there were sooo nice! Every time they brought you something and you said thank you, they would reply with “my pleasure”. When we were at the buffet as soon as you put your last bite from your plate they were there taking your plate away so you were ready to go and get some more. They made sure our water was always filled and kept coming up to ask us if we needed anything. It makes eating out so nice here.

There are sometimes they are almost too eager to help you out though. They ask us if we are ready for them to take our order and we say just a few more minutes and they take a few steps back and just stand there. It makes you feel rushed and like they are just getting mad waiting haha and then if you make eye contact with them they think you need something and come rushing over. Haha

Also they don’t just bring you your bills when you are finished eating. You have to ask for your bill when you are ready to leave. The first few times we were eating out here we sat for a little while wondering how come they weren’t giving us the bills and then we remembered we had to ask. They don’t split your bills for you usually either. It all comes on one bill and then we all split it ourselves (helps us with our math skills!).