Sorry if this has been posted before but could not find an answer. Just got back into it and am going to try the Kgirl places, my question is are you expected to tip on top of the standard house fee just like the MP's. Appreciate the help here.

I often tip if the girl is sweet or made a special effort or if I just had a great time - usually $50-100....  If the service is Script City, or if I feel there was no effort, no tip.  But I have no hard and fast rule.  I think that while the KGals appreciate it, the tip probably does not mean that much to them monetarily, so it is more a gesture.  But remember, the Asian cultures are big on gesture and form (kata).  In Japan, the mere delivery of a business card is a formality to be followed.  An apple may be given as a gift upon entering a home, but the wrapping may cost far more than the apple.  The gesture of the tip is often wonderfully appreciated.

Anyway, my thoughts...  The Cap'n Has Blithered On....

The q was about tipping KGals in America, and, yes, tipping in Japan or Korea is not done, but I was drawing an analogy to gift giving, hence the reference to a beautifully wrapped apple.  Also, the word kata is appropriate; it most certainly is not limited to martial arts. All of Japanese culture is permeated by both form and structure.  As I mentioned, the simple act of sharing a biz card is a form that should be observed.  Tea ceremony, still practiced, is the essence of form (kata).  From the bow (rei) to the greetings to the Shinto formalities to the interpersonal interactions, the proper form or etiquette is appreciated in Japan.

That said, the tip is a quintessential American gesture and, "when in Rome...."  I will conduct an informal poll of the KGals I see....

CR

I've said this before and I'll say it again. If tipping is expected because it is a service,
regardless of the cost of the service, then we should be tipping doctors, lawyers, accountants,
etc. I'm all for tipping when that is the way the service provider actually makes their living.
Other than that I don't think tipping is necessary or even a consideration.
At what level do you stop tipping? If the provider charges $1,000 or more do you think
a $50 or $100 tip is appropriate or possibly ridiculous? Add up the $150 cut for the K-girl provider times about 5 times a day and 6 days a week. And that's on an average week. Some days they see 6,7, and more clients. I don't know how they do it but a $50 tip for someone making that kind of money seems kind of inconsequential Most of these providers make more than most
of the mongers visiting them and tipping, while a personal choice, is probably something that
they aren't even considering when providing us with their mostly wonderful service.

Thanks for the response much appreciated. Happy Holidays.

on the occasions I've seen K-girls who were very modestly priced i definitely tipped when the service was as good as higher priced providers.

I have to disagree with you on your interpretation of kata.  While technically it can be argued that it refers only the physical act involved in any function, it is most certainly not limited to martial arts, and I don't endorse that limited definition.

The kata may be seen as the physical manifestation of the etiquette - a bow, the rei, is as much about the physical act of bowing as it is about the way the bow is delivered - the placement of the hands, the direction of the fingertips.  But I use kata is a broader sense, to encompass the totality of the acts associated with the particular endeavor or action....

Anyway, my Sensei who is a fanatic about Japanese culture agrees, and that's good enough for me....

But having said that, i'm very glad we can have a civil discussion about this - I'm so tired of the anger and aggressiveness on these boards; was actually thinking of hanging it up just to avoid it.

CR