Check Bin process

[elem]

Only an observation..why is it that mostly when you need a waiter/waitress in a restaurant, they proceed to 'very selective viewing, scanning all tables in the place, but manage to 'skip' yours?
When you ask for the bill, they come dashing within seconds. Then something peculiar happens which I have not experienced in any other country. The person becomes firmly 'rooted' in front of your table, stubbornly waiting right next to you, curiously checking the content of your wallet/bag and waiting for you to bring up the cash/card. No way will they walk away and come back a few minutes later, or even stay away discreetly and wait a bit further.
Is this some kind of collective waitress programming in LOS or is there a logical/local reason for the behaviour? It's as if they suddenly expect you to run away just when you ask for the check
I can understand that staff need to check that the money doesn't get stolen once you've left, but I still find the sudden change in behaviour peculiar...and sometimes quite annoying

[ozuncle]

Poor old restaurants get picked on all the time.
If the waitress gave you the bill and walked away, would you then complain that she should have waited to take your money?
Relax

[ozuncle]

Oh!
Maybe he was joking.

[VincentD]

On 'selective viewing', I don't think Thailand is alone with that particular malady. Personally, the prettier the waitress, the more 'selective' my viewing..

As for the 'check bin' process, if you've managed to get their attention and they're actually at the table to collect the money, I would probably consider it rude if they *did* walk off before I could pay them.

You also have to realise that most of the more experienced service staff probably started at a guai teow noodle stall or similar where there is not a lot of time for etiquette. They are there to collect the money, give the change, and then clear the table.

With places like MK suki and such where the ordering is computerised, the Thai customers also like to compare what they have ordered with what the have actually eaten at the end of the meal. They still don't trust computers. They also expect the waitress to wait around to answer for any questionable entries on the bill and get it resolved before they pay.

My wife is Thai, so I know how it works. It's a similar thing with any other group of locals. It is the norm.

[Jim]

At a slight tangent, can anyone explain the difference between "check bin" and "gep tang"? After taking Thai lessons I have always used gep tang as I was taught this was the Thai way, but it seems everyone else on the planet check bins instead....

[(buffalo) Bill]

I think you will find,

Check bin = (Americanism), check the bill, bin is bill
Gep Dang dooay = (Thai) clear the bill, gep is clear, dang is money dooay is together

Gep dang dooay Krup. A more polite way of asking to pay the bill.

I have spelt it the way it is sounds to me.

[Wanderlust]

I was told that check bin is as (b)B says but also that it is used in 'posher' eating places, while gep dtang dooay is more commonly used at Thai street places with tables; I think this may be because it is deemed more 'hi-so' to use the supposed Americanism, but I was also told that neither are wrong or right anywhere.

[lomuamart]

The way it was explained to me was that "Check bin dooay" is asked for at an establishment where you're going to get a "proper" bill - ie VAT added ect.
"Gep tang dooay" is asked for when you get a scribbled piece of paper as the bill.
If that's the case, then it fits in with the above from WL says.
I'd agree though that "bin" is an extension of "bill" as Bill says.

[JD]

Gep dang dooay Krup. A more polite way of asking to pay the bill.

I have spelt it the way it is sounds to me.

I'd go along with that.

Another is Kit dang dooay Krup (Using Bill's spelling)

If the restaurant staff are busy, you can always 'catch the eye' of one of the staff and draw circles with your finger at them, they will not think it's impolite, and they duly come back with the bill.

[HHTel]

'Kit tang duay' I think is the most polite expression. Literally means 'Think money also' which in English is nonsense.

I don't think there are many times when a waiter/waitress has hung about after delivering the bill. In my experience, it's delivered when asked for and the waiter/waitress retreats or stands a respectable distance away.

[Korkenzieher]

It seems that 'tao rai' gets the job done too - I usually use 'Kep tang, tao rai krup'. Which has the desired effect, but Tao rai seems to do just as well on its own. I just can't bear to use the mind numbingly dumbed-down 'check bin'. Soz, & all that

[margaretcarnes]

Must admit Elem that the 'waiting' for you to dish the baht has never struck me as either odd or impolite. In fact it does seem more polite than disappearing - leaving you waiting again for the waitress to return. I think the Thais probably just see it as respectful. As for watching the content of your wallet etc I really wouldn't get too hung up about it. Thai folk are naturally curious. Farang women might understand this more, because few will have escaped the delighted scrutiny of their cosmetics, jewellery, foreign currency, and anything else in a handbag!

[johnnyk]

I don't mind if they wait for the dosh. I want to get on my way which is why I asked for the bill in the first place so I really don't want to chase them about it.
I would like it though if they would go away for 5 minutes after bringing the menu so I can think about it.

[Nereus]

I don't mind if they wait for the dosh. I want to get on my way which is why I asked for the bill in the first place so I really don't want to chase them about it.
I would like it though if they would go away for 5 minutes after bringing the menu so I can think about it.

Exactly! And I thought it was just me that gets p---sed off with this ridiculous habit. And then, if you politely ask them to come back in 5 minutes, that is the last you will see of them!

[BaaBaa.]

I would like it though if they would go away for 5 minutes after bringing the menu so I can think about it.

One of my pet hates too.