A friend pointed this out this concern that came from an expat website here and thought I will share this. Cleary there is a misunderstanding of cultures.
As you know, going Dutch and paying your own is very much a western practice even amongst staff from the same office. In the East, it always the highest ranking in the office that forks out the dough unless you want to insult him or her by paying for your share.
Obviously if its amongst friends and acquaintences outside the office, it is more of reciprocating by taking turns hosting a session as opposed to buying the next round.
If there foreigners involved best to get an understanding from the very start if an office outing is being planned. Also be cautious of who you extend wedding invitations too.
Just feel sad for the 3 secretaries.
Niccy
Guest
Friday Night Drinks Etiquette
« on: 29 September 2006, 17:28:00 PM » Quote
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We are heading out for drinks in a while and I'm really getting annoyed with a few of the staff here who come along, order drinks (cocktails or champagne), eat bar snacks then when the bill comes they don't even make an effort to pay.
It's tricky as these are the secretaries (3 of them) who I understand don't earn much but I for one am getting sick of putting my card over and ending up having to pick up others drinks.
I wonder tonight if I should say "it's ok I'll just pay for my own tonight" and then run a separate tab for me. It kind of spoils it all though as we normally just take turns and it evens out or if it's a massive bill then we split it.
These 3 girls either knick off before the bill comes (in fact they are always not there when we leave) or they look away when the bill comes and make no effort.
This sounds sooooo petty I know but it adds about $120 onto the bill - I'd never go out and expect my boss to cover my drinks despite the income disparity. I would not drink expensive drinks (and stick to happy hour ones) or put enough cash down to cover it.
Any pointers here?? Nic
Suckertoo
Guest
Re: Friday Night Drinks Etiquette
« Reply #30 on: 01 October 2006, 14:14:00 PM » Quote
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Unfortunately I have come across a few people like this during my working life in S'pore and HK. The key is to nip it in the bud straight away. It's not just drinks but lunches, red packets and weddings. I've lost count the amount of times I've had to cover drinks, had young ladies knocking on my office door at CNY and asking for their red packet (never seen them before) and people who don't acknowledge me on a day to day basis who invite me to their wedding expecting a big fat Ang Pow. There is an element of milking the cow dry here.
As you know, going Dutch and paying your own is very much a western practice even amongst staff from the same office. In the East, it always the highest ranking in the office that forks out the dough unless you want to insult him or her by paying for your share.
Obviously if its amongst friends and acquaintences outside the office, it is more of reciprocating by taking turns hosting a session as opposed to buying the next round.
If there foreigners involved best to get an understanding from the very start if an office outing is being planned. Also be cautious of who you extend wedding invitations too.
Just feel sad for the 3 secretaries.
Niccy
Guest
Friday Night Drinks Etiquette
« on: 29 September 2006, 17:28:00 PM » Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are heading out for drinks in a while and I'm really getting annoyed with a few of the staff here who come along, order drinks (cocktails or champagne), eat bar snacks then when the bill comes they don't even make an effort to pay.
It's tricky as these are the secretaries (3 of them) who I understand don't earn much but I for one am getting sick of putting my card over and ending up having to pick up others drinks.
I wonder tonight if I should say "it's ok I'll just pay for my own tonight" and then run a separate tab for me. It kind of spoils it all though as we normally just take turns and it evens out or if it's a massive bill then we split it.
These 3 girls either knick off before the bill comes (in fact they are always not there when we leave) or they look away when the bill comes and make no effort.
This sounds sooooo petty I know but it adds about $120 onto the bill - I'd never go out and expect my boss to cover my drinks despite the income disparity. I would not drink expensive drinks (and stick to happy hour ones) or put enough cash down to cover it.
Any pointers here?? Nic
Suckertoo
Guest
Re: Friday Night Drinks Etiquette
« Reply #30 on: 01 October 2006, 14:14:00 PM » Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately I have come across a few people like this during my working life in S'pore and HK. The key is to nip it in the bud straight away. It's not just drinks but lunches, red packets and weddings. I've lost count the amount of times I've had to cover drinks, had young ladies knocking on my office door at CNY and asking for their red packet (never seen them before) and people who don't acknowledge me on a day to day basis who invite me to their wedding expecting a big fat Ang Pow. There is an element of milking the cow dry here.
