Top Tipping Tips For All Over The World

It's difficult to know how much to tip in each country, and many people have no idea how much to leave or offer after a delicious meal.

It pays to find out what the norm is before arriving, from hovering bellhops expecting a reward for their trouble to the seeming coldness from the disgruntled maitre'd or aggrieved bartender left feeling unrewarded.

For example, in Japan, suppose you drop a couple of coins or notes on your table. You may be chased down by the waiter for your "forgotten" change. However, in New York, anything less than 15% can cause difficulties in making reservations in the same place.

Here’s a brief overview of tipping abroad:

Argentina

Tipping is becoming more common in Australia, but it is still wholly optional. In restaurants, a 10% gratuity is appropriate. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary, but it is becoming more common as tourism in Australia grows.

Austria

Tipping is less common in Austria than in North America or other parts of Europe, owing to higher wages and the fact that service charges are usually already included in your bill. However, in restaurants, you can offer a tip of 5-10% (depending on the class of the restaurant). Tipping in cash is also great if you'll be handing money directly to the waiter. When presenting your payment, say "Danke" to the Austrian equivalent of "keep the change." It is common to exempt a tip if you are dissatisfied with the service. Taxi drivers are usually given a 10% tip. Tip porters 1-2€ for every piece of luggage carried, and the chambermaid the same amount every morning. These suggestions are not required, but they are appreciated.

Belgium

Tipping is uncommon in Belgium. Service employees are generally well compensated and aren't dependent on tips. However, whether or not to tip is determined by the circumstances. Restaurants typically add 10-15% to the bill, but you can drop a couple of coins if you've recieved good service. If such service is not included, a 15% gratuity is expected. Tipping is not expected in taxis or hotels; simply round up your fare. Car park attendants get 1€, cloakroom staff get 50c, toilet attendants get 25c, and bartenders get small change. Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory in Belgium, but it is appreciated.

Canada

A majority of the service staff in Canada expect a tip of 10-20%, depending on whether the service is in French or English and how good the service is - if the service is truly bad, just drop a few cents and the message would be passed across. Restaurants typically charge 15% gratuity. Hotel valets, maids and porters should be tipped between $1 and $3 per day. Place the tip on the bedside table or on the bed. A 10% tip is customary for taxi drivers.

China

In China, you will never be expected to tip. The general idea is that foreigners are very rich and are charged much more. The majority of government-run hotels and restaurants do not accept tips. At some more high-end hotels, and among young service personnel in larger cities, it's sometimes expected.

Use your judgment. In opulent hotels, you may tip the concierges or bellhops about $10 per item of luggage, but this is not customary. A 13% charge on average is generally added to bills in Hong Kong. Taxi drivers in China scarcely expect tips. 

Cyprus

Expect 10-15% charges in restaurants and hotels, plus smaller tips for porters and housekeeping. Taxi drivers do not take tips, but attendants in restrooms and cloakrooms do.

Czech Republic

Tipping is almost unheard of in the Czech Republic. Although nowadays, foreign visitors are expected to tip 10%, but only in locations with more tourists like Prague. For restaurants, tipping habits grow as the economy grows. Service here is dissimilar to how it is in many other places: don't judge by smiles, but rather by quality, the bill, and promptness. Tipping with credit cards is uncommon. Tipping taxi drivers isn't popular in the Czech Republic. However, if you've gotten excellent service, you can go out of your way to round up the bill. Hotel bellboys, maids, and porters should be tipped 1-3€.

France

Service is included in the price of a restaurant bill in France by law, so there is no need to tip, though it is customary to round up your bill for a little addition. You should leave 1-2€ for porters and housekeeping in hotels. However, it's not the same in bars, so make sure to be discretionary to determine whether you received well-worthy service or not. In general, porters should be paid 0.50€ - 1.00€ per bag, and housekeepers should be paid 1.50€ - 1.50€ per day. It is customary to tip your taxi driver 10% of the fare.

Germany

Tipping is uncommon in Germany. In most restaurants, service is not included; a 5-10% gratuity is expected. Expect to pay 2-3€ for housekeeping and porters in hotels, while taxi drivers typically receive 10-15% tips. In Germany, most restaurants, shops, and even hotels only accept cash.

Greece

Here, discretionary charges of 5-10% are expected at restaurants and in hotels, a 5% discretionary tip is the standard. Taxi workers do not anticipate being tipped. That being said, it's common in hotels for the bellhops or porters to receive a tip of about 1€ per bag.

Netherlands

Tipping is not a common practice in the Netherlands. However, it is a common practice in restaurants to round up the bill. Restaurants typically charge 10%, but if this service isn't added, leave a 10% tip. Tipping is optional at hotels, but taxis usually expect 5% tip or for you to round up your fare. Tipping drivers is not customary, but it is acceptable to leave 1-2€.

New Zealand

New Zealanders are typically well compensated, so a tip will come as a pleasant surprise. Tipping is not expected unless you're given particularly exceptional service. However, as more Americans visit, it's becoming more popular to tip workers.

Portugal

Tipping is only common in tourist areas in Portugal, such as the Algarve and Lisbon. You should provide around 5% in restaurants. Hotels typically charge between 5% and 19%. If service is not included, leave 2€ for the concierge and porters. Taxi drivers anticipate a 5-10% tip.

Romania

Most restaurants have a service charge of 5-10%. If not included, leave a tip of 5-10%. Hotels charge around 5%, but if it is not included, leave 4-5 Lei per day for housekeeping and porters. Round up the fare in taxis, and cloakroom, car-park, and toilet attendants should expect between 2-3 Lei.

Russia

Restaurants typically charge a 5-20% for service charge, but you should leave a 10-25% tip if they do not automatically charge you. Hotels charge 5-20%, but porters and housekeeping expect to gain a small tip. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Many restaurants do not accept credit cards, so tip in cash.

Spain

Most restaurants and bars in Spain will expect a tip of around 5% from tourists, though this is a case of personal preference. In restaurants, service charges are usually included in the bill. Your hotel's chambermaids and porters would also likely hope for a little something to show your appreciation for them.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, a 10% tip is usually expected. Hotels already charge this fee, but don't forget to tip the bartenders, housekeeping, and concierge 100LKR, while offering the porters 30LKR. Taxi drivers typically charge 10% or up to 100L for short trips. Restroom and car park attendants, as well as bartenders, generally expect 50-100 LKr.

Thailand

Tipping is not very common in Thailand. Some places anticipate it, while others do not. Generally, the more Westernized the location, the more likely a tip will be expected. Cabs in Bangkok are now metered, so there's no need to haggle over your fare, but rounding up your fee to the nearest five baht is customary.

United States

The United States is the world's tipping capital, and not participating can raise some eyebrows and make a few enemies. Restaurants in the United States typically request a 15-20% tip, which serves as a supplement to an already meager wage. Most individuals in the service industry expect a tip, so the rule of thumb is that if you're helped by someone in whatever capacity, it's a good idea to leave a tip for continued excellent service. It's part of the culture.