“Ungrateful miser!”: American tourist slammed for measly tip to Grab driver who returns US$5.5K camera

 

“CHEAPSKATE” is an informal, disapproving word for a person who is very stingy and refuses to spend money, even when the situation merits it. Throw in ‘ungratefulness’ into the equation and one gets the almost perfect combination of unwanted characteristics.

This unwelcome label was one that Malaysian netizens have been keen to affix to an American visitor going by the name of Mackey Edwin.

Local social media addicts will recognise the name that is currently trending due to this tourist’s perceived stinginess in rewarding an act of honesty.

The influencer had apparently boarded a Grab ride in Kuala Lumpur to visit the famous, striking six-tiered Thean Hou Temple in Seputeh but inadvertently left behind his camera worth USD$5,500 (approx. RM22,303) in the vehicle.

The frantic tourist purportedly tried contacting the driver and after many attempts, succeeded in getting hold of him. The missing camera was confirmed to still be in the car and it was agreed for the driver to turn round for the purpose of returning the expensive cargo.

A small fee of RM50 was agreed upon for the driver’s troubles. Alas, when the camera was returned, the fickle minded tourist felt the previously agreed sum of RM50 was too high and offered the nominal sum of RM20 on grounds that the original fare was a lot lower.

It was further contended by the irate American on social media that he was threatened and manhandled by said Grab driver.

The accidental tourist (pun fully intended) has lodged a police report on the incident but instead of sympathy and messages of support, he has been vilified as an ungrateful cheapskate who could not discern acts of honesty from so-called scams, extortion or blatant blackmail.

As highlighted by @_apiiez on Threads, RM50 which is a mere US$12 equivalent was a minute sum compared to the value of the camera which was left behind by the passenger himself.

Why kick up a fuss over such a tiny sum when you should be grateful that the camera was in one piece and returned safely?

What was heartening to see was Malaysians from all backgrounds showing solidarity with the Grab driver and basically telling Edwin to stick his camera and his lousy RM20 tip where the sun doesn’t shine.

For starters, it was pointed out by many upset netizens that the RM50 had been agreed upon and it was only upon returning the camera that the American tourist decided to haggle and offer a discounted rate for the Grab rider’s inconvenience.

As far as many netizens were concerned, this was a no-no.

One commenter suggested the tourist pick up the missing stuff from a police station (or Grab headquarters for that matter) as the mistake was his in the first place.

Why inconvenience the Grab driver who has to make a detour from Klang for his own carelessness and then insisted on a token sum as a reward?

If this tight-fisted attitude was known, the driver needn’t have bothered turning round in the first place as contended by some miffed commenters.

As outlined by this disgruntled observer, the crux of the matter was that the fee had been previously agreed upon.

It was NOT the Grab driver’s duty to look after the passenger’s belongings nor return it to him personally when it was due to the American’s own negligence.

By and large, the sentiments expressed across local social media content was that this hapless tourist has crossed the line with his demand and behaviour.

First and foremost, it is NOT the Grab driver’s duty to look after your expensive camera.

Secondly, the RM50 return trip fee had been agreed upon. Why change your mind AFTER the camera had been returned?

Thirdly, as highlighted by scores of incredulous netizens, that RM50 sum pales in comparison to the claimed value of the photographic equipment. Why be so ungrateful when you’ve recovered such expensive equipment?

The “kedekut” (stingy) nature of this tourist was a recurring theme in the many posts on the subject.

Last but not least is the unwanted blowback from rising tourism. Unfortunately, Malaysians will have to put up with some visitors who lack the necessary etiquette or plain common courtesy when dealing with locals.

As noted by one Sanna Hashim on the Rakyat E-hailing MY Facebook forum, such behaviour is unlikely to be well-received abroad either. No need to bend over backwards for visitors here it was contended.

For quite a few peeved netizens, the sentiment was “Visit Malaysia Year 2026 be damned, some things are just more important”. –   Focus Malaysia