Community Forum

allseasons · 04-25-2010, 05:12 PM

Hello.... I just arrived in Aruba for a work term and did my first shop for my apartment today. I shopped at Kong Hing. I happened to mention it was my fist time shopping on the island. The young man who helped me to the car with my groceries said 'If it is your first time shopping here you don't know that we don't get paid, that we only work for tips'. I did give him a tip but I really felt he was handing me a line. Does anyone know if this is true? I really have my doubts but want to know for the next time.

(I really didn't mind giving him a tip, I just hate feeling 'new'.)

Thanks!

*Andrea J.* · 04-25-2010, 05:53 PM

i do not know their tip/salary status but NO ONE ever helped my with my groceries at lings or hong king.

Liz - Aruba Lover · 04-25-2010, 06:01 PM

I know it is true that they don't get paid by the supermarket.

*Andrea J.* · 04-25-2010, 06:07 PM

thanks for clearing it up liz

sunscreen · 04-25-2010, 07:15 PM

Wow - interesting, although I agree with Andrea sounds like a hustle. I normally shop at Lings and Certified and they have always been very friendly. Of course, I normally tote my own groceries. On the other hand for the worker to have to make you feel obligated is not good business at all.
Otherwise, hope you have a super vacation.

allseasons · 04-25-2010, 07:22 PM

Thanks everyone - that is good to know. I usually won't have so many bags, but this was my first shop so stocking up.

Really enjoying Aruba so far and find this forum a wealth of info - you guys do a great job!

Liz - Aruba Lover · 04-25-2010, 08:58 PM

It upsets me to see school age children working at the markets during the school year when these kids are suppose to be in school.

*Andrea J.* · 04-26-2010, 07:16 AM

i am going to duplicate LDTPT post and put it in culinary if folks want to continue discussion about HRC there and this thread can contiue about hong king and tipping the bag boys/girls.

sunnysmiles · 04-26-2010, 12:34 PM

My husband read somewhere about the kids working in the grocery stores don't get paid and rely on tips.
This year compared to two years ago we thought maybe that changed. Two years ago they were knocking each other over to bag items and carry them out. This year they were just standing in a huddle.

~Amy~® · 04-26-2010, 01:24 PM

I always have someone offer to help me take my groceries to the car when I shop at Kong Hing or Certified. The first year or so (back in the '90's), I didn't tip until I heard that they only get paid in tips. So now I always make sure to tip them. But no one has ever asked me for a tip or acted like they expected one.

I agree with Liz though...don't like to see them working there during a school day when they should be in school.

04-25-2010, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
allseasons Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2	Grocery Store - help taking groceries to car Hello.... I just arrived in Aruba for a work term and did my first shop for my apartment today. I shopped at Kong Hing. I happened to mention it was my fist time shopping on the island. The young man who helped me to the car with my groceries said 'If it is your first time shopping here you don't know that we don't get paid, that we only work for tips'. I did give him a tip but I really felt he was handing me a line. Does anyone know if this is true? I really have my doubts but want to know for the next time. (I really didn't mind giving him a tip, I just hate feeling 'new'.) Thanks! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

ADVERTISMENT

04-25-2010, 05:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	i do not know their tip/salary status but NO ONE ever helped my with my groceries at lings or hong king. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer. Last edited by Andrea J.; 04-25-2010 at 06:08 PM. Reason: well, liz answered it.

04-25-2010, 06:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Liz - Aruba Lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,351	I know it is true that they don't get paid by the supermarket. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ http://dinearuba.com

04-25-2010, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	thanks for clearing it up liz Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

04-25-2010, 07:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
sunscreen Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 59	Wow - interesting, although I agree with Andrea sounds like a hustle. I normally shop at Lings and Certified and they have always been very friendly. Of course, I normally tote my own groceries. On the other hand for the worker to have to make you feel obligated is not good business at all. Otherwise, hope you have a super vacation. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

04-25-2010, 07:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
allseasons Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2	Thanks everyone - that is good to know. I usually won't have so many bags, but this was my first shop so stocking up. Really enjoying Aruba so far and find this forum a wealth of info - you guys do a great job! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

04-25-2010, 08:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Liz - Aruba Lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,351	It upsets me to see school age children working at the markets during the school year when these kids are suppose to be in school. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ http://dinearuba.com

04-26-2010, 07:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	i am going to duplicate LDTPT post and put it in culinary if folks want to continue discussion about HRC there and this thread can contiue about hong king and tipping the bag boys/girls. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

04-26-2010, 12:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
sunnysmiles Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Natural Pool, Druif Beach, Eagle Beach, California Lighthouse, Helicopter Posts: 467	My husband read somewhere about the kids working in the grocery stores don't get paid and rely on tips. This year compared to two years ago we thought maybe that changed. Two years ago they were knocking each other over to bag items and carry them out. This year they were just standing in a huddle. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Laura

04-26-2010, 01:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
~Amy~® Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,631	I always have someone offer to help me take my groceries to the car when I shop at Kong Hing or Certified. The first year or so (back in the '90's), I didn't tip until I heard that they only get paid in tips. So now I always make sure to tip them. But no one has ever asked me for a tip or acted like they expected one. I agree with Liz though...don't like to see them working there during a school day when they should be in school. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ ~Amy~® Cabo San Lucas: March 2012 26th trip to Aruba: April 2012 27th trip to Aruba: Sept. 2012