Baksheesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Baksheesh is a term used to describe tipping, charitable giving, and certain forms of political corruption and bribery in the Middle East and South Asia.
[edit] Origins
Baksheesh is a Persian word, written بخشش and originating from the Pahlavi (Middle Iranian) language (source: Dehkhoda dictionary).
[edit] Types of baksheesh
- Charity to beggars. In Pakistan beggars solicit alms by crying 'baksheesh, baba!'.
- Tipping. This does not correlate with the European system of tipping, as it also includes demonstrations of gratitude, respect or veneration. An offering to the gods may be considered baksheesh. A faqir may also ask for baksheesh but there is no thought in his mind that he is begging. In fact, in Pakistan and the Muslim world the giver of alms often salutes the beggar for having been given the opportunity to gain merit. In Egypt, baksheesh is often requested on top of fares to taxi drivers, and as service charges to waiters, doormen, shopkeepers, garage attendants, and many others employed in service sector jobs.
- Outright bribery. For instance, if a police officer catches you with a chillum full of charas you may have the choice between going to jail or paying baksheesh.
[edit] European Usage
The word has also moved westward. In Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian and Macedonian, бакшиш means "tip" in the conventional western sense. In Greek, μπαξίσι (baksisi) can mean a gift in general. In German, Bakschisch is used to describe a small bribe.
