To tip or not to tip? Once you decide that you should tip then the question is how much? To further complicate matters, the rules for tipping vary across the world – what is expected in a New York restaurant is considered rude in a Tokyo sushi bar! Also, did you know that many European restaurants add the tip to your bill? There are a few guidelines, which can help you become a savvy business traveler:
Australia / New Zealand:
No tipping, service charge is almost always included - the price you see, is the price you pay. However, if the menu reads 'Service Not Included', tip 10%. Taxi drivers are not tipped but simply told to keep the small change.
Canada:
Service staff in restaurants / bars expect 15% tip but you are not expected to tip if the service was bad. Taxi drivers are generally paid US$2 per bag.
China:
No tip. For exceptional service in top-end restaurant, leave 3-4% as tip. For excellent service in a hotel, leave money in an envelope at the desk, which can be distributed to the staff. Taxi drivers do not expect any tip. In hotels, a small tip is handed over to bell boys / valets.
Egypt:
Tipping is a way of life. At the end of the cruise/boat ride, leave a small tip for the crew and the tour guide. In many hotels, service charge of 10% may be levied and you are expected to further tip 5% to the wait staff. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
Continental Europe:
Although there may be some variations across this continent, generally a cover charge of 10-15% is included in the bill. People leave a small tip (rounding up the bill) of a euro or two for restaurant staff and taxi drivers. In restaurants, the extra tip is handed discreetly, by saying the total amount to the service provider, who hands over the balance after deducting the tip. If you are happy with the service in a hotel, leave a small tip in your room for the housekeeping maid. Usually, it is Euro 2-3 for the bell boy, Euro 1-2 for the doorman and a couple of Euros for the tour guides. Public restroom attendants are happy with 50 Euro cents.
Hong Kong:
10%-15% service charge is common. Most restaurants add 10% to the bill automatically and 5% extra is usually given by the patrons at the end of the meal. Taxi drivers in the city don’t expect tips but usually round up to the nearest dollar and tip themselves! Taxi drivers taking you to the airport, expect a tip for helping with your luggage.
Japan:
No tip. 10%-20% is included as service charge in all hotel / restaurant bills/ sushi bars. It is rude to hand over the money directly - if you felt the service in the hotel was exceptionally good, put money in a small envelope and leave it at the desk.
Singapore:
Tipping is not encouraged. Restaurants levy a 10% service charge and no further tip is expected. The only exceptions are hotel porters (S $1 per bag) and valet parkers in restaurants (S$3-5). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
United Kingdom:
In larger cities, 10%-12% service charge is usually levied. In a pub, leave no tip for the food served but tip the bartenders with a drink by saying "...and one for yourself" after you've finished. This is a way of inviting them to have a drink, which they don’t but will thank you and take a small amount in lieu of that. Taxi drivers expect 10%. When tipping, it is polite to not show the money you are giving it but to press into the person’s hand when shaking hands. Tipping in the rest of UK is at 5% - 10%.
USA:
Tipping is a part of the highly customer-service oriented American culture. Compensations in the food & beverage, personal services (masseurs / packers & movers / hair dressers) & hospitality industries are structured with the expectation that the employees can earn extra through tips. It is usually 10% for mediocre service and goes up to 20 % for exceptional service in a top-end full service restaurant. Wine stewards involved in the selection and serving are tipped 10% - 15% of the wine bill and bartenders 10%-15% of the bar bill. Leave no tip in fast food/ self service restaurants / in motels. In pubs, you are expected to put a couple of dollars in the tray at the bar counter. Depending on the class of the hotel, porters are generally tipped US$1 per bag, concierge about $ 5 for help provided and housekeeping staff $ 3-5 per night per room.
International Travel:
As we can see, every country puts a different value on service provided. When in doubt, follow these global rules:
- Gather local knowledge on tipping etiquette through websites / guidebooks of the country. Also, gain an understanding of the value of the country’s currency vs. the wages paid.
- Always calculate tipping amount pre-tax.
- Use local currency for tipping and not U.S. dollars - wastes money converting it to the local currency.
- When paying by credit cards, either fill in or cross out the blank before the total amount, to prevent frauds.
- When in doubt, be nice! Give the locals the benefit of language and cultural differences and tip 10-15%!
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