When we went to Petra some 20+ years ago we were on an organised tour from Amman. Included in the tour was a pony ride down to the entrance to the gorge and one on the way back. Definitely needed on the way back.
On the way back the man looking after the pony started mentioning how poor they were etc., etc. and how welcome a small tip would be. We asked what sort of figure he had in mind thinking that perhaps a couple of dollars would be fair for the 15 or so minutes he spent with us.
He must have thought we were American because said he thought $100 was about the sort of figure. At this we nearly fell off our ponies. We told him that was totally out of order, etc., etc. He got huffy and told us Arabs have their pride and that he wouldn't take anything.
There were about 6 or 7 in our party and we all agreed to give him nothing!
He must have had a word with our mini-bus driver as the driver mentioned this on the way back, the same about Arabs having their pride etc., and not expecting tips.
He got nothing either!
The next day we had the same driver for another trip. He apologised profusely for his comments the previous day and said he would accept a small tip, for his wife and children you know. We all did agree to tip him a modest amount and gave him a few $'s each at the end of that trip.
No doubt he earned more in tips alone than the average wage in the country at that time.
On the way back the man looking after the pony started mentioning how poor they were etc., etc. and how welcome a small tip would be. We asked what sort of figure he had in mind thinking that perhaps a couple of dollars would be fair for the 15 or so minutes he spent with us.
He must have thought we were American because said he thought $100 was about the sort of figure. At this we nearly fell off our ponies. We told him that was totally out of order, etc., etc. He got huffy and told us Arabs have their pride and that he wouldn't take anything.
There were about 6 or 7 in our party and we all agreed to give him nothing!
He must have had a word with our mini-bus driver as the driver mentioned this on the way back, the same about Arabs having their pride etc., and not expecting tips.
He got nothing either!
The next day we had the same driver for another trip. He apologised profusely for his comments the previous day and said he would accept a small tip, for his wife and children you know. We all did agree to tip him a modest amount and gave him a few $'s each at the end of that trip.
No doubt he earned more in tips alone than the average wage in the country at that time.
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