backsheesh
Bribe or tip
Backsheesh (also baksheesh or bakshish) is a tip, gratuity, or small bribe given to facilitate services in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and North African contexts.
The term covers a spectrum from legitimate tipping to petty corruption—a few coins to a porter, or a payment to expedite paperwork.
Western travelers often encounter the concept when navigating bureaucracies or receiving services where tipping expectations differ from home.
The guide explained that a little backsheesh would smooth our passage through customs.
Illicit payment for favor
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- payolaBribes for airplay
- palm-greasingBribing with money
under-the-table · inducement · payoff · corruption · extortion · grease · sop · schmear
End or gratuity
- gratuityPayment beyond the bill
- giftItem given freely
- rewardPayment for service
- bonusReward beyond expectation
appreciation · token · offering · largesse · generosity · sweetener · handout · cash
Custom passed through generations
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
convention · norm · ritual · courtesy · protocol · hospitality · entitlement · solicitation
bribe
Illicit payment for favor
palm-greasing · under-the-table · inducement · payoff · corruption · extortion · grease · sop · schmear · boodle
tip
End or gratuity
bonus · appreciation · token · offering · largesse · generosity · sweetener · handout · cash · payment
tradition
Custom passed through generations
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- obligationRequired task or commitment
etiquette · convention · norm · ritual · courtesy · protocol · hospitality · entitlement · solicitation · presumption
backsheeshsalary
Fixed periodic employment payment
wages · stipend · paycheck · invoice payment · earned income