In Reply to: Don't be fooled posted by sherbert on Sunday, 17. June 2012 at 22:06 Bali Time:
To buy into this " they are not poor, don't give pressies". Not everyone who works in tourism is making good wages. Take the drivers, there are so many of them all competing for the same tourists and undercutting prices to get work, many times a driver is booked for a trip, early morning pick up only to arrive at the guests hotel to be told oh sorry it's raining, I have hangover, got another driver etc etc. They may be lucky and have a job a few days a week but some weeks they may not have any. Also bar restaurant workers, some have to stay until last customer leaves, this can be 2am and later, they may be rostered to morning shift next day - no extra pay. Very difficult to actually get a job in a big hotel. I really hope my friends "do well" out of tips gifts etc I know I for one wouldn't swap places...