Laura’s tipping guidelines — when and where


Editor’s note: Yesterday, Laura explored the world of tipping. Here is the final half of her article where she deals with who should be tipped and how much.

Did I say before that tipping can be complicated? One researcher thinks so. A professor of consumer behavior at Cornell (Center for Hospitality Research) once conducted research into international tipping customs. To do that, he compared types of services where tipping was expected in each country with personality tests given to people in those countries. His conclusion? Countries with more “extroverted” and “neurotic” people gave tips to the greatest number of services AND gave the largest tips. (The U.S. topped both categories.)

It’s also worth noting that in many foreign countries where no or minimal tipping is expected, the employees are paid higher wages than they would be here. And, by the way, the same university did studies that indicate tipping is more a product of guilt than gratitude. This may help explain why we tip in places when there’s no future benefit to doing so because we’re not likely to return.

Cash is king in the West to express gratitude, in other countries and situations, small tokens of appreciation – a book, some fruit – are just are appropriate, although we could probably fill this blog with stories of unusual or weird items given as tips.

  • Even if you agree with the basic premise of tipping, it’s not as easy as you think. In some situations you might have to do a little research.

  • Is the tip already included? Check the bill first in order to not overpay.

    In some cultures tipping is considered an insult and rude. In Argentina and Vietnam, it’s illegal to tip in restaurants.

    When you do tip in a foreign country, use their currency – it means the recipient won’t have to pay a conversion fee.

    Some find it difficult to calculate the amount (use one of the wallet-sized card guides).

    Did you know that it’s considered proper to tip on the pre-tax amount, not the total?

    Does the local economy matter? (Not really, in places where you tip, it’s usually some standard percentage of the billed amount, with the expectation that the prices charged reflect the local cost-of-living).

    If the facility specifically asks you not to tip, please don’t (some employees will be disciplined for accepting tips).

  • One person I’ll never tip (sorry!) – the rest room attendant. If I’m so incompetent that I can’t pull down my own paper towel, then maybe someone should be helping to support me. But there are people you should never tip, including postal workers, cops, government officials (even though in some foreign countries low level bureaucrats might expect it, it’s best to avoid the peril), and anyone else where the situation might be construed as a bribe or improper. (Postal employees can accept small, non-cash gifts).

    Some folks subscribe to the belief that there is power in tipping. This is mainly because, if you tip well enough, the recipient will (a) remember you more readily, and (b) cater to your needs. Especially if you are a frequent traveler, that is not necessarily a bad thing. If you spend enough nights on the road, having someone who remembers to book your favorite restaurant, to have the newspaper you read in the morning on your doorstep, and to stock a supply of your favorite toiletries can make life a lot more bearable.

    Plus, nothing impresses a girl more than to get her drink order filled quickly at a bar with 20 others clamoring for a margarita refill. The again, sometimes, the power is on the other side of the equation. One site I visited suggested tipping valets when they TAKE your car – the better to avoid those paint scraping corners.

    In the end, unless it’s already included, tipping is still ‘voluntary,’ and therefore subject to controversy, or conscience.

    Tipping Guidelines for Selected Foreign Countries:
    (According to available research, also check current guides. Even in countries that traditionally don’t have a custom of tipping, modern tourism often creates exceptions in certain areas (resorts) or services):

    NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA:
    Canada – 15% 20% is customary in restaurants
    Mexico – Widely expected by almost every service industry.
    U.S. – 15% -20% Customary
    Argentina – 10% in most situations calling for a tip
    Brazil – 10 – 15%
    Chile – It used to be illegal not to tip 10%, now it’s discretionary.
    Costa Rica- No tip required
    Cuba – Give $1 for extraordinary service, otherwise nothing.
    Guatemala – 10%, even if a service charge is included

    EASTERN & WESTERN EUROPE: (Many European countries include a gratuity, in general, add 10% if its omitted)
    Denmark – Not expected.
    Germany – Tip 5-10%, Germans are sensitive to anything less, and leaving nothing is less offensive Germans are a pretty forgiving people and attribute no tip to forgetfulness.
    United Kingdom – Tipping is not customary in a pub, except that you might offer a bartender a drink to express gratitude. For food, if it’s basically a pub, don’t tip, do tip in a regular restaurant.
    Ireland – 10-15% is customary
    France – 5 – 10% expected, but by law restaurants include 15% in the bill already
    Italy – Not expected, and often other, miscellaneous, charges are included in your restaurant bill, but 5-10% is appreciated.
    Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden – Tip 10%, but only if there’s no service charge
    Austria, Czech Republic, Greece, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain and Ukraine – Tip 5% to 10%, even if a service charge is already included.
    Switzerland and Romania – Simply round up your bill.
    Russia – 10-15% usually

    MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA: (Most everywhere in Africa, 10% for a taxi ride is normal):
    Egypt – expected, almost everywhere, esp. on tours.
    Bahrain – 10% is customary
    Brunei – None
    Kenya – 5%, if a gratuity is not already included.
    Madagascar – 10%
    Morocco – Leave spare change or round up the bill for a nominal tip
    Oman – No tip required.
    India – For taxis no tip is required.

    ASIA: (Many Asians consider tipping a vulgar display of wealth).
    Vietnam – Illegal to tip in restaurants
    China – By law, foreigners pay more for most services, so tipping is at your discretion but not expected, if you do, 3% is a good guideline.
    Hong Kong – Taxi drivers don’t expect tips unless taking you to the airport, rounding the fare up to avoid making change is appreciated though.
    Indonesia – 10% is the norm.
    Japan – Considered insulting, they believe it infers they have to be bribed to do their jobs

    SOUTHEAST ASIA/PACIFIC:
    Singapore – Tipping is discouraged
    Malaysia & Thailand – Not historically expected, but modern tourists are changing that.
    New Zealand – Don’t, it’s usually included.
    Australia – Tipping not common

    Just a quick note, to remember that other cultural practices can come into play in tipping practices. In some cultures, displays of modesty and refusals are merely preludes to an eventual acceptance of your gratuity. If you are uncertain about whether any gratuity is expected, try to observe the locals.

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