In the climate of the global financial crisis, “baksheesh” (an Arabic term used to describe tipping), to which Egyptians are accustomed, has also been affected and has begun to decline, Egyptian TV’s egynews.com reported Wednesday.

Headlined “Baksheesh goes backward in the financial crisis,” the story said that in Egypt people hear the word “baksheesh” everywhere, which means “tip”, “gratuity” or “trouble fee.” As long as you receive service from others, no matter the quantity and quality of the service, you are expected to give “baksheesh.” In the past, a hotel employee, a waiter, a taxi driver or a barber would freely ask for “baksheesh” because customers used to tip them regularly.

However, nowadays, not only those service people are ill at ease, but customers are holding their pockets pretty tightly, or just tip in very small amounts. The shrinkage of “baksheesh” is best embodied at Cairo’s gas stations. Mohamed Said, who works in one gas station in the capital, said that because of the low salaries, “baksheesh” had become a major income source for employees.

But compared to before, customers have become stingy. It seems that now they only see the numbers on the gas pump, but not the person who provides the service.

For the Chinese translation, see P5 in today’s Global Times Chinese edition