No matter how people look at it, tipping has become an international phenomenon. Friends and relatives debate about it during social gatherings. As to how Saudi youths look at it, Maha Al-Ali, a female teacher in Abha, said some Saudis considered it a bribe, while others looked at it as an expression of high taste and hospitality. There are Saudis who give out tips to foreign workers to help them in their life expenses, and also to get rewards from Allah.
"Some Saudis give tips to waiters in restaurants and coffee houses to boast about their wealth and show their ability to give tips," she said.
Maha explained that giving tips was a British habit of appreciating good services. In the Arab world, she said, the concept of tips came from the Turks, who ruled the region for a long time.
Maha noted that Saudi women are very generous in giving tips, especially at places that provide personal services such as beauty salons.
Wafa Al-Hawi has another reason for giving tips. "I feel sympathy for the poor foreign workers, so I give them tips as a Sadaqa (alms) to help them bear the costs of living.”
Waleed Salim Al-Hisaiki, a young Saudi receptionist in a private company, said he would never accept a tip. "This is not part of our culture. In America you break the norms if you do not give a tip, but here it is rarely given," he said.
Al-Hisaiki remarked that Saudis would never tip their compatriots, but could give tips to foreigners.
Saeed Al-Bishi believed the same, saying the Saudi society might be willing to give tips but would never be ready to accept them. He did not think the tips would undermine the level of service given, as they were usually given after the service, when the bills had to be paid.
Nura Mahdi Al-Rafie, a Saudi businesswoman, said between 60 and 70 percent of the Saudi society gave tips, and added that women were usually more generous. She said she wouldn't mind giving tips to Saudi employees, but added that Saudis may not accept tips and would not wait to be rewarded for their duties.
Amani Al-Saeed, an associate psychology professor, said giving tips was alien to Saudi culture and was tied to colonialism. "Regrettably, tipping has become a prevailing culture in other societies," she said.
She estimated the average tip to be between SR2 and SR10, and warned against giving tips for trivial work such as cleaning of toilets or opening of car doors.