The World Traveler’s Guide to Tipping

Argentina

While tipping is officially discouraged in Argentina, in reality it is a
relatively common practice in most establishments. An additional
10-15% is standard in upscale restaurants and bars, while 10% is more than
enough in small cafes. When checking your bill you might find a charge for table
service (cubierto). Remember that this is not a service charge for the
waiter, and you should still leave a tip.

When taking a taxi in Argentina you can do as the locals do and round up
your fare to the next even amount or give no tip at all, or as is often expected
of tourists, give a 10% tip. Doormen and porters at your hotel should also be
given small tips at your discretion, especially if they go out of their way to
help you.

Australia

Tipping plays a small part in the Australian service environment, and
Australians are not usually inclined
to leave huge tips at restaurants. For locals, 10% is the norm. Be advised that
in many cases, tipping isn’t expected at all, though it is undoubtedly always
appreciated. It’s also useful to note that the word “tip” means a garbage dump
in Australia, so if you’re speaking with the locals, you might want to use
another word if you want to be understood.

Likewise, in bars and taxis tips are also not expected. If you feel guilty
leaving nothing or want to reward exceptional service, many people leave their
small change or tell the barkeep or taxi driver to keep the change from their
bill. Tipping at hotels is uncommon so do not feel obliged.

Austria

Tipping is fairly prevalent in Austria
and service charges will sometimes be included in the bill, especially in big
cities like Vienna. At most restaurants a 5-10% tip is acceptable, though the
fancier the restaurant, the bigger the tip is expected to be. It is considered
rude to leave the tip on the table, so make sure to give it directly to your
waiter or waitress.

You should also be sure to tip taxi drivers and hotel personnel. Taxi
drivers should be tipped about 10%, depending on the length of the trip, and
porters and chambermaids should be left a small tip for every day they provide
service.

Brazil

Tipping in Brazil is not always expected or given, but remember that wages
for service people can often be paltry, so generosity is appreciated.
Restaurants will normally have an additional service charge of 10% added in, but
it is never obligatory, and if the service was good you should leave an
additional 5% for the waiter. At places with no service charges, 15% is
appropriate.

Cab rides in Brazil are normally rounded
up to the next full dollar so that the driver has no need to carry change.
This rounded off amount is usually considered sufficient for a tip and
additional tipping is not expected unless the driver performs additional
services like carrying your luggage. You should also tip hotel personnel such as
bellhops, doormen, porters, and chambermaids a few reals for their
services.

France

Bills in bars and restaurants in France will more often than not include a
service
charge, but you should still round out your bill with a small amount of
change left on the table for the server. In upscale restaurants it’s customary
to leave an additional 5% or more.

Taxi drivers should also be tipped, and 10% is the usual. Hotel service
people should get a little something, too. If you stay in a hotel for more than
a few days, leave a small tip for the chambermaid and tip the concierge if he or
she has been particularly helpful.

Germany

Service charges are usually automatically tacked onto bills, but it’s
customary to leave a little extra, about 3-5% in most cases, or just round up to
the nearest Euro. To give the tip, never just leave money on the table. Tell you
waiter or waitress how much you want to pay, tip included, and hand the money
directly to him or her. You should also expect to tip bartenders 2-5%.

You won’t need to leave taxi drivers large tips while you’re in Germany
unless they carry your particularly cumbersome baggage; simply round up to the
nearest Euro. You also won’t need to leave large tips for hotel personnel.
Service charges on your bill should take care of most tipping, but you will need
to leave small tips for housekeeping and any porters that carry your
luggage.

Hungary

Unless it’s specifically noted, service charges aren’t included on bills in
Hungary. Tips range from 10-15% and should be handed directly to the waiter when
you pay, never left on the table. Taxi drivers will expect a similar amount,
usually around 10%.

Tipping is very much a part of the Hungarian culture, and there will be
numerous situations where you will need to leave a tip. Cloakroom attendants,
gas station attendants, and various hotel personnel should all receive a small
tip.

Indonesia

Gratuities are not a large part of Indonesian culture, but the more
Westernized the place you are dining or staying in, the more likely tips will be
expected. Upscale eateries generally tack on a 10% service charge, but at more
moderately priced eateries, 5,000 rupiah should suffice. Hotels will also tack
on an additional 10% fee, but you should tip porters and bellboys.

Taxi drivers usually round up to the nearest rupiah when giving you your
total sometimes mostly out of convenience, but if you feel you’re getting ripped
off, say something. A tip for a driver should not exceed 1000 rupiah.

Morocco

There are no hard and fast rules regarding tipping in Morocco. Natives might
only leave their loose change, but in general, tourists leave about 10%. Taxi
drivers can be tipped whatever amount is easiest to round up to in the next 5
dirhams.

Many tourists are confused about what to tip someone who has given them
directions or help in the medinah,
an ancient section of Marrakech. If the help comes from a child 5-10 dirhams is
ok, but if the help is from an adult, 10-20 is appropriate. If they tag along
for further guidance, 30- 50 dirhams would be a good tip. Of course, if you
don’t want any more help, you are under no obligation to tip them
anything.

New Zealand

Tipping is not common in New Zealand, but it is acceptable in situations
where exemplary customer service was provided. In those cases, tips are usually
10% of the total bill. You may find that on special holidays your bill will come
with an additional service charge. This is not a tip for the servers. Rather, it
goes toward the additional cost of the higher wages that the law says workers
must be paid.

Taxi drivers, like most service personnel, are not tipped, but it is
customary to round up to the nearest dollar so that no change will be
needed.

Philippines

Tipping is the norm in the Philippines, and in most restaurants, the
standard amount is 10%. You will find that some places include this charge in
the bill, in which case you can simply leave some spare change on the table, but
tipping when there is a service charge is entirely optional.

The 10% guideline can also be applied to your hotel stay. Bellhops, porters,
and doormen should be tipped separately at about 10 pesos each.

Russia

In increasingly capitalist Russia, tipping is becoming more and more common,
though it can be a delicate balance. You don’t want to tip too much or too
little and you want to take service into account as well. If you’re at a loss at
what to tip, for restaurants with waiters, 10-15% is the generally accepted
amount. If there are no servers, no tip is required. Tips are never obligatory,
but will undoubtedly be appreciated.

Tour guides and drivers will need to be tipped as well, and the amount you
give will be at your discretion and should be based on the quality and the
duration of the tour. Tipping is not considered customary for taxis.

South Africa

Tipping is customary and while not compulsory, is expected all over South
Africa. A rate of 10% is generally the norm for restaurants and taxis. You’ll
also need to leave a small tip for porters and maids, usually about 5 rand per
bag/day.

In South Africa, you are likely to encounter many tour guides and game
trackers who depend largely on tips for their income. You are never obligated to
tip any of these people if you are dissatisfied with your service. In general,
however, experiences will be positive and what you’d like to give is at your
discretion.

For the international traveler, getting used to the intricacies of day to day
life in another country can be a challenge to say the least, even if you speak
the language. Before you leave on a trip, it’s best to familiarize yourself with
some of the basic customs and etiquette of your destination country to help you
feel more at ease.

One custom that can be a bit confusing even at home is tipping. Knowing who
to tip, how much to leave, or even to tip at all can be overwhelming. Here,
we’ve compiled some tipping basics for 25 vacation spots so that you can
navigate social situations abroad without looking like a silly tourist.

Britain

In Britain, you’ll find that in most restaurants the gratuity is included
and if so, it should be clearly indicated on the menu or the bill. If no tip is
included, you should leave about 10% or round up to the next whole number of
pounds. Always try to tip in cash, as your server may not get tips that are
added to credit
cards. You are not obligated to
tip bartenders in pubs and may insult the bartender by trying to do so. If you
want to reward a bartender for good service, offer to buy them drink. Even if
they can’t drink on the job, they can save the money for later.

Hotel workers should be tipped as well if they provide a special service for
you, like watching/carrying your bags, or getting you tickets to a show or
special event. It is considered polite to not show the money when you are giving
it; pass it on discreetly with a handshake. Taxi drivers should also be tipped
somewhere in the neighborhood of 10%.

China

While tipping has generally been frowned upon in communist China, and still
isn’t a true part of Chinese culture, it is becoming more and more common,
especially in large cities like Hong Kong and Macau. In a large city, service
charges of 10% are usually already included in your bill, but if not, you should
tip 10-15% depending on the restaurant and the size of your party.

In China, it is also common for tips to be given to a tour guide, and some
larger companies may even collect this prior
to the trip. Cash tips should be based on the length and size of your tour.
Of course, tips don’t always have to be in cash. Foreign goods like cigarettes,
candy, music, and small personal items are also appreciated.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, service charges are rarely added to the bill, so
you’ll want to make sure to add an additional tip, especially if you’re in a
tourist mecca like Prague. Tips are usually rounded up to the next multiple of
ten, or if you’re with a large group, 10% is appropriate. Make sure to hand the
tip directly to your server when you pay your bill and try not to put tips
on credit cards, as the servers often won’t receive them.

For taxi drivers, 10% is usually what is expected. You should also make sure
to give the doorman or bellhop at your hotel a 20-40 koruna tip, possibly more
if you have an especially heavy suitcase.

Egypt

Tipping in Egypt, often referred to as baksheesh,
can be a complicatedcustom for foreign visitors. It’s more
than just a custom, it’s a way of life. Tips are not only given to those who
perform services, but a small tip can also get you granted small favors like
admittance into places that would otherwise be closed. Keep in mind that tips
will be expected for even the smallest of services, so make sure to get lots of
change for your trip.

While there are no firm rules, in restaurants it’s customary to give about
10%. In cases when the service charge is included, you should still leave a
small tip for the waiter, especially if the service was good. You’ll also need
to tip bathroom attendants, tomb guards, porters at the airport, the usual hotel
personnel and almost anyone else who provides you with a service. Exceptions
include taxi drivers and locals who give you directions. No additional tip is
usually required in these situations.

Israel

Tipping in Israeli restaurants usually falls around 10-15%, depending on
your satisfaction with the service. Much like in the U.S., Israeli servers
depend on tips to make a living, so when you can, tip generously.

Taxi drivers will not expect to
be tipped, but if service is good a small tip is appreciated. You will need to
tip any tour guides you have, as well as the porters and housekeeping staff at
your hotel.

Italy

Tipping customs vary depending on where you are in Italy. In smaller cities
and towns, tips may be small or nonexistent, but in big cities, tipping is
standard practice. For urban restaurants, service charges are generally included
in your bill, but you should leave an additional 5-10% for the server depending
on your dining experience.

You can expect hotels in Italy to include a service charge in all hotel
bills, but, as is the norm, you should hand out smaller tips to service
personnel who clean your room or carry your bags. You can tip taxi drivers if
you like, usually around 5%, but this is not done commonly by native
Italians.

Japan

The best advice about tipping in Japan is usually simple: don’t. Handing
money directly to a waiter or waitress is considered quite rude and a
predominantly Western custom.

That said, many places do include a service charge in your bill ranging from
5-15%. You should not tip beyond this. The only exception is if you are staying
at a Japanese Inn called a ryokan.
In this case, it is appropriate to discretely tip the manager of the
inn.

Malaysia

Tipping is not a common
practice in Malaysia. Whether or not you tip in a majority of situations is
up to you. You will find that most hotels and restaurants have already added in
a service charge of about 10% to your bill and you generally won’t be expected
to tip beyond this unless you would like to.

As a nice gesture, however, you should tip bellboys and porters who help you
with your luggage, and give taxi drivers your small change.

Mexico

In Mexico, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to tip the same people you
would back home. You’ll need to tip porters at the airport just as you would
back home, but make sure to get some pesos prior to your trip or immediately on
arrival so you can pay in cash. Tips at restaurants should be about 10-15% and
there are rarely service charges tacked onto the bill.

Taxi drivers do not usually need to be tipped if the price for the trip has
been negotiated beforehand. This will be the total cost of the trip, and you
won’t need to pay any extra unless additional services are provided.

South Korea

Tipping is not required or expected in South Korea, but you will find that
many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee to bills. You won’t be
expected to tip beyond this. You should, however, as a form of politeness, give
a slight bow and say thank you for the services that are provided.

Taxi drivers in South Korea do not need to be tipped unless they assist you
with carrying your luggage to the car or hotel.

Spain

There is a great
debate on whether or not one should tip in Spain. Many, if not most, natives
do not leave tips for meals or drinks and often tourists will be the only ones
to do so. Businesses are not likely to reject the extra money, but keep in mind
that servers are often not allowed to accept tips and the money will not go to
them. If you feel the need to tip at a bar or restaurant anyway, 5-10% or the
change from your bill will suffice.

You will, however, be expected to tip anyone handling your baggage,
including both porters and taxi drivers. You’ll also need to leave a little
something for chambermaids at your hotel and for anyone bringing you room
service. How much you tip in these situations is at your discretion.

Thailand

Tipping is a common practice in Thailand, though tips may not be as high as
those in many Western countries. When dining, the amount you should tip depends
on the type of restaurant. At small cafes and food stalls, your small change
from settling the bill should suffice, but if you’re dining in a fancier
establishment, a cash tip of 10% is more appropriate. Keep in mind that many of
the locals are paid fairly low wages, so a little tip can garner a lot of
appreciation.

Although many high-end tourist hotels in Thailand include a service charge
when you receive your bill, you should still give small tips to bellboys and
other hotel staff who assist you. Taxi drivers also should be tipped, but
usually a small amount rounded up to the nearest baht.