Baksheesh

Baksheesh

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.

Origins

Baksheesh is a Persian word, written _fa. بخشش and originating from the Pahlavi (Middle Iranian) language (source: Dehkhoda dictionary).

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 it is expected that baksheesh will be paid on top of fares to taxi drivers and on top of "service charges" to waiters, as well as to doormen, shopkeepers, garage attendants and everyone else 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".

European Usage

The word has also moved westward. In Serbian and Bulgarian, бакшиш means "tip" in the conventional sense. In Greek, μπαξίσι (baksisi) can mean a gift in general. In German, Bakschisch is used to describe a small bribe.


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  • Baksheesh — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Baksheesh es un término utlizado para referirse al acto de dar caridad, a cierto tipo de corrupción policial, y a los sobornos en medio oriente y el sudeste de Asia Orígenes La palabra baksheesh tiene sus orígenes en …   Wikipedia Español

  • Baksheesh — Bak sheesh , Bakshish Bak shish , n. Same as {Backsheesh}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • baksheesh — aksheesh n. 1. A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter). Same as {Backsheesh}. Syn: gratuity, tip, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • baksheesh — 1620s, in India, Egypt, etc., a tip, from Pers. bakhshish, lit. gift, from verb bakhshidan to give (also to forgive ), from PIE root *bhag to share out, apportion, distribute (see PHAGOUS (Cf. phagous)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • baksheesh — ► NOUN ▪ (in some eastern countries and the Indian subcontinent) a small sum of money given as alms, a tip, or a bribe. ORIGIN Persian …   English terms dictionary

  • baksheesh — [bak′shēsh΄] n. [prob. via Ar baqshīsh or Anglo Ind bucksheesh < Pers baḫšiš < baḫšīdan, to give; akin to Sans bhájah, (he) allots: see PHAGOUS] in Egypt, India, etc., a tip, a gratuity, or alms …   English World dictionary

  • baksheesh — 1. noun /bækˈʃiːʃ/ In the Middle East and southwest Asia, a bribe or tip paid to speed up services. the complex Oriental etiquette which under the name of baksheesh calls for lavish remuneration and bribes, rudely demanded but ever so graciously… …   Wiktionary

  • baksheesh —    (BAHK sheesh) [Persian: gift] Money; a tip in cash.    With his country on the verge of economic meltdown, he is back in line for American baksheesh …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • baksheesh — /ˈbækʃiʃ / (say baksheesh), /bækˈʃiʃ/ (say bak sheesh) noun 1. (in South and South West Asia) a charitable gift. 2. Colloquial a. a tip or gratuity. b. a bribe. –verb (t) 3. to give a charitable gift or gratuity (to). Also, bakshish …  

  • baksheesh — noun Etymology: Persian bakhshīsh, from bakhshīdan to give; akin to Greek phagein to eat, Sanskrit bhajati he allots Date: circa 1760 payment (as a tip or bribe) to expedite service …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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