How to Tip Around the World

Published at : 2022/06/23 - 12:43

Almost all of you have experienced the experience of going through notes at the end of a meal on the road or looking for a change in the back of a cab.

Tipping customs appear to vary greatly across the world - what is regarded as an acknowledgment of appreciation in one country may offend the more subtle cultural sensibilities of another.

To help steer you through the quagmire of uncertainty and doubt that gratuities can throw up, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to tipping around the world.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that tipping customs are constantly evolving, especially today due to mass tourism. Nonetheless, this guide is intended to alleviate some confusion and ambiguity surrounding tips throughout your travels - from restaurants to bars, to hotels and taxis - regardless of where you are.

Do not worry if you are still unsure after reading this guide, you will find notes with information specific to your destination.

Therefore, below we have wrapped up a complete guide about everything you need to know about tipping in different countries.

Europe

Many popular countries are located in Europe, so it is a must for you to have enough knowledge of the tipping culture in these countries.

Restaurants

Restaurant tipping customs in Europe are often misunderstood by travelers from other countries, particularly Americans, who tend to bring their own generous tipping practices to places where they are not required.

As a result of an EU law, gratuities are standardized and accommodated within its borders. As a result, you are not required to leave large tips after even the most extravagant meals, i.e. 15% and upwards, if the gratuity is already included in the bill.

France, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom charge a service charge on their bills. In the absence of a service charge, something between 5% and 10% should be added to the bill. Of course, if the service was poor, you can always leave the restaurant without any tip.

In some countries, such as Austria, Italy, and Russia, waiters or waitresses do not normally charge a service charge or expect a tip. However, rounding up the bill is more common because wages in the hospitality field are lower.

There is a word on the bill called "corperto" which refers to a cover charge. This cover charge does not necessarily apply to the tip you give to the wait staff, so if you wish to give a gratuity, give it to them with cash.

As a general rule, tipping is not expected in European bars unless you are feeling exceptionally generous. If you wish to round up the bill, feel free to do so. Tipping in London pubs and pubs of other cities in the UK can be a mystery for visitors, but it is not expected.

If you are riding high on the fact that Britain is known for its traditional British pubs, it is your duty to offer a drink to the bartender as you say, "and one for you too." It does not matter if you follow this up with a good-natured "Guv'nor."

Hotel staff

Tipping hotel staff is a European practice that is largely the same as tipping in the United States. Tipping housekeeping is a much less common practice in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. You should tip porters between 1 and 2 euros and housekeeping staff between 2 and 5 euros.

Balkan and eastern European countries generally have fewer strict requirements than western nations. There is no standard tipping amount in Russian hotels, however, hotel staff is used to receiving well over 100 rubles per day for porters and 100 to 250 rubles per day for housekeepers.

If you are staying in expensive Scandinavia or Iceland, you will not need to tip the staff as service fees are already included in their salary. However, if you are staying in Switzerland, a small tip of approximately 5 to 10 Swiss francs will be greatly appreciated even though you are not expected to.

In the event that guests have received exceptional service during their stay, they might wish to consider leaving a tip on the dining room table if the restaurant has taken good care of them.

Tour guides

It is customary to tip drivers and guides differently in almost every country in Europe. In countries of the Central and Eastern European region, you can tip between 10% and 15% per day, depending on how much you enjoyed the tour.

As a general rule, in countries throughout Western Europe like France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the guides and drivers receive tips that range between 25 and 40 euros or equivalent local currency each day, with the guide even receiving a tip of up to 15 euros. In Russia, the guides and drivers typically receive tips of 3000 to 2500 rubles each.

The tipping of the guides for group tours typically ranges from 60 to 100 Lira per day, whereas the tipping of the drivers for private cars is typically between 200 and 300 Lira per day, and the tipping of tour guides for private tours usually reaches around 450 Lira per day.

The practice of tipping tour guides and drivers is not generally recognized, but if you feel it is appropriate to do so, offering both guides a tip of 10% will be a nice gesture to thank them for their hard work. Alternatively, you can buy either of the lunch, if you feel that this is more appropriate.

Taxi drivers

Generally, tipping is uncomplicated in Europe Most taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is frequent nonetheless. In France, Russia, and Switzerland, taxi drivers usually appreciate a 10 to 15% tip after they have provided their services, whereas, in Scandinavia and Iceland, tipping is uncommon.

The Americas

Below we have talked about American nations and their tipping culture.

Restaurants and bars

In the United States and Canada, the majority of restaurants and bars do not charge service charges, which means tipping is pretty much expected - around 15% to 20% of the total bill is about standard, unless the food was unattractive or the service was exceptionally poor. In bars, tipping is about $1 per drink.

There is a tendency to include service charges on the bill in countries of Central and South America such as Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, and Peru. However, if you would like to tip your waiter directly, 10 to 15 percent is a reasonable amount in local currency or US dollars.

Several countries, such as Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and many others, automatically include a tip of 10% on the bill, so a tip isn't required. However, you may choose to leave a tip of approximately 5% if you wish.

You should not tip your waiter or waitress at a bar in these countries but if you want to round up the bill you may do so.

Generally, you should tip 15-20% in Caribbean restaurants if the gratuity isn't already included in the bill. If it wasn't already included in the bill, simply round the amount up before purchasing.