WORLD WISE

Who and how much should you tip when abroad?

Tipping Points When traveling abroad, who should you tip and how much?

Tipping etiquette varies from country to country – in the US it can feel like you have to tip everyone generously, while in Japan tips are never expected.

UNITEDSTATES

US establishments usually don’t include service charges in the bill. In restaurants you typically add 15-25 percent, with high end restaurants tending towards 25 percent. If a waiter or waitress performs phenomenally well, the tip could climb to 30 percent. The general rule for tipping bartenders is $1 per drink. Porters receive $1 to $2 per bag and taxi drivers are usually given a 10-15 percent. Coffee shops or fast food restaurants may put tip jars next to the cash register; however, do not feel obliged to leave a tip. Over-the-counter services generally are not rewarded with tips. Hairdressers, masseuses and other personal services are typically tipped 1520 percent.

UK AND EUROPE

Unlike the US, many restaurants and some cafés and gastropubs (pubs serving quality meals) in the UK add a service charge of 1012.5 percent to the bill. Where this is added, no tip is expected. Otherwise, it’s customary to tip around 10 percent. In pubs, tipping bar staff is not common. On occasion, you might buy the bartender a drink. As for taxis, it is customary to round up to the nearest pound and let the driver keep the change, or tip 10 percent if it’s a long journey. Porters tend to receive around £2 for their service, maybe £5 at a higher-end hotel. Tipping customs across Europe are broadly similar to the UK, with slight variations from country to country.

CHINA

Tipping in most Asian countries is less widely practiced than in the US, UK or Europe. In China, it is very rare, though upmarket restaurants may garner a meager 2-3 percent in tips. Westernized cities such as Hong Kong and Macau incorporate 10-15 percent service charges, so there is no need to tip on top of that. In most other cases, such as with taxis or hotels, no tip is given. However, in Hong Kong, bellboys usually receive HK$510 per piece of luggage.

INDIA

Restaurants in India usually accept 7-10 percent tips, but the larger the bill, the lower the percentage. For example, on bills above Rs1,000, a 5-7 percent tip will suffice. Restaurants in Delhi and Mumbai often incorporate service charges, negating the need to tip. In hotels, one usually tips for the entire hotel staff, generally 5-7 percent and usually put in a central tipping box near the front desk. Sometimes, if there are no tipping boxes, bellboys will expect a small tip. There is no need to pay autorickshaw drivers, taxi drivers or porters more than the agreed fare.

JAPAN

Tipping in Japan is never expected. Offered tips will be refused and may be considered offensive. The only exceptions are tour guides. Although it is not obligatory, tour guides do accept tips and will not be insulted by the gesture.

MIDDLEEAST

Most countries in the Middle East will expect to see 10-15 percent tips at restaurants. Cities such as Dubai typically add 1015 percent service charges to the bill, though it is still customary to tip an additional 5-6 percent on top of that. Taxi drivers are not usually given gratuities, but some hotel staff may expect tips of around 10 percent. In Israel, the standard tip for porters is six shekels per bag and four shekels per day for housekeepers.

SOUTHAFRICA

South Africa has an informal system of tipping car guards, R2-R5, to assist you with parking and discourage thieves as theft is so prevalent. Tipping at restaurants in South Africa is usually around 10 percent, but it is customary to tip 10-20 percent to bartenders. Hotel porters get between R10-R100 and in cabs the total cost is rounded up to the nearest R10.

AUSTRALIA AND NEWZEALAND

Neither Australia nor New Zealand have strong cultures of tipping. Tipping is never socially required, so it’s all up to the customer. It is slightly more common with taxis and hotels than restaurants – $2 might be given to cab drivers or bellhops.

In the US it can feel like you have to tip everyone generously, while in Japan tips are never expected

SOUTHAMERICA

Tipping tour guides is common in South America, generally 10 percent of the cost. Hotel doormen tend to receive equivalents of $1 to $2, and taxi drivers accept tips, though it is not expected. In countries such as Paraguay and Peru service workers are not paid much, so tipping in all cases is appreciated. In restaurants, tips are around 10 percent, higher or lower depending on service. Where service charges are added, tips are not expected.