Should I Tip the Kanto Boy?
Manila Commuter on Jul 31 2008 at 4:18 pm | Filed under: Taxis
The Search for Atchara A craving for atchara (pickled papaya) led to the grocery in Robinsons Metro East on Marcos Highway on 30 July 2008, since I couldn’t find my preferred brand in Rustan’s Gateway and Ali Malls. I was successful in finding the desired atchara, but I had a great time picking out other items so that I ended up with four grocery bags, which I lugged on the pedestrian overpass so that I’ll be on the westward lane to get a taxi back to the Cubao area.
The Aggressive Kanto Group The Marcos Highway children, boys and men across Robinsons Metro East who “market” the availability of seats are very competitive in getting their tips from the drivers of FXs, jeepneys, and taxis. I have actually seen a couple of them get into a fistfight over an alleged “stealing” of a potential tip from a jeepney driver.
The Kanto Man and Boy and the Taxi Driver As I came down the pedestrian overpass’ stairs, a man and a child cornered a taxi that was waiting for a passenger. Honestly, there was no need for their help because the taxi was already there. But, I thought it wasn’t my business. It was essentially between them and the taxi driver, so i boarded the cab with my bags of grocery.
Asking for a Tip To my complete astonishment, the kanto man held the taxi door open and asked politely for a tip. I didn’t make a move to give him any, and he held the driver and I “hostage” by refusing to close the door and repeatedly asking for coins. Finally, the taxi driver gave him a Php 10 coin to divide between him and the boy. Only then did the man let go of the taxi door.
Should I Tip? In retrospect, I believe that my refusal to tip was a good one because one must never set precedents. If I had given a tip, that would make them think they can charge commuters for their “services.”