Baksheesh

Baksheesh is a term used to describe both charitable giving and certain forms of political corruption and bribery in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

Origins

The word baksheesh has its origins in the Persian bakshish (بخشش) which means "gift." Bakhsheesh is one of the many Persian words which moved eastward through trade and the Mogul Empire.

Types of baksheesh

1. Charity to beggars. In India beggars will solicit alms by crying 'bakseesh, baba!'.
2. Tipping. This does not correlate with the Western system of tipping a waiter. Rather it is a sign of gratitude, respect or veneration. An offering to the gods may be considered baksheesh. A sadhu may also ask for baksheesh but there is no thought in his mind that he is begging. In fact, in India and the Muslim world the giver of alms often salutes the beggar for having given the opportunity to gain merit.
3. Outright bribery. For instance, if a policeman catches you with a chillum full of charas you may have the choice between going to jail and paying baksheesh.

Bakhsheesh Culture

Baksheesh is considered a perfectly normal way of getting things done in many countries and is often the only way to accomplish something. An example would be an incident in the Indian goa trance scene where baksheesh of up to $5000 was paid to the chief of police to give permission to stage raves.

In Bombay, it has actually been possible to buy baksheesh tickets from the police station at a lesser rate than their full value. Thus armed the average citizen saves money on baksheesh paid to officers through the course of the year.

The civil service in many Asian countries is so badly paid that its employees cannot survive on their salaries and are obliged to collect baksheesh just to live. In fact for the most important positions a police chief may even pay for a lucrative posting. The culture of baksheesh also ensures that there is always a way to get things done.

European Usage

The word also moved westward. In Bulgarian бакшиш means "tip" in the conventional sense.