Do I Tip?
It’s all happened to us. We’re sitting at the table at the end of a meal in a foreign country and we’re suddenly struck with the question “Do I tip?”
Tipping in other countries can be confusing and it all depends on where you are. Don’t think that you are doing the right thing by just tipping everywhere you go. It is not always a good idea to tip where it is not customary. In fact some Asian countries see tipping as insulting. This is also true of many other countries that are based on a hierarchical class system.
Take heed as well that the change you have in your pocket may be worth more than you think. If you are in Britain for instance, that loose change in your pocket could easily be worth $10 USD or more, and you’re trying to leave them on the table after paying for your $14 USD meal just because it looked like a couple quarters. Not only do you look silly in this instance, you just doubled the cost of your meal when a 10% tip would have been appropriate and appreciated. Always check the denominations of change that you are leaving for tip.
Americans are used to tipping between 15-20% on restaurant and taxi services, and are sometimes surprised to find that this is one of the highest gratuity rates in the world. Most other countries where it is common to tip, you will see a rate of around 10% if the gratuity has not already been included as a service fee on your bill. On the other hand, American service workers can also find themselves confused or frustrated when an international traveler neglects to leave a tip. While this does happen, it is more likely that they are following their own customs than berating your services.
Below you will find a general chart for tipping in other countries around the world.
Tipping Chart by Country
| Country | Restaurants | Porters | Taxis |
| Argentina | 10% | $1 | Round up taxi fare or small tip. |
| Armenia | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | None |
| Australia | 10% in fine restaurants only | $2 per bag | Round Up |
| Austria | 5% above service charge | $1 – $2 per bag | Round Up |
| Azerbaijan | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | None |
| Bahamas | 10% | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Bahrain | 10% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
| Belgium | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Bolivia | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
| Brazil | 10 – 15% | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Brunei | None | None | None |
| Bulgaria | 10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Canada | 15% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
| Cayman Isles | 15% if no service chrg | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Chile | 10% in addition to service chg | $1 per bag | None |
| China | 3% in major cities | $1 – $2 total | None |
| Colombia | 10% | 75 cents per bag | None |
| Costa Rica | None | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Cuba | $1 for special service | $1 for special service | $1 for special service |
| Czech Rep | 5 – 10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Denmark | None | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Ecuador | 10% if no service charge | 75 cents per bag | None |
| Egypt | 5-10% + service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| England | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 15% |
| Fiji | None | None | Round Up |
| Finland | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| France | 5-10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Germany | 5-10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Greece | 5-10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Guatemala | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Holland | 5-10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Hong Kong | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Hungary | 10% if no service charge | None | Round Up |
| Iceland | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| India | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Indonesia | 10% | 50 cents total | Round Up |
| Ireland | 10 – 15% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Israel | 12 – 15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 12 – 15% |
| Italy | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Japan | Tipping is perceived as insulting | None | None |
| Kenya | 5% if no service charge | 50 cents per bag | None |
| Luxembourg | 5-10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Macao | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Madagascar | 10% | 50 cents per bag | Round Up |
| Malaysia | None | None | None |
| Mexico | 10-15% | $1 | 50 cents |
| Morocco | Leave loose change | 50 cents per bag | Round Up |
| New Zealand | None | None | None |
| Nicaragua | 10% for special service | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Norway | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Oman | None | None | None |
| Paraguay | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
| Peru | Up to 10% for special service | 75 cents per bag | None |
| Philippines | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Poland | 10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Portugal | 10 – 15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Romania | Round Up | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Russia | 10 – 15% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Samoa | None | None | None |
| Saudi Arabia | 10-15% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
| Scotland | 10-15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Singapore | None | None | None |
| South Africa | 10% if no service charge | 50 cents total | 10% |
| South Korea | None | None | None |
| Spain | 7 – 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
| Sweden | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Switzerland | Round up | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Taiwan | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | None |
| Tanzania | 10% | None | None |
| Thailand | None | None | None |
| Turkey | Round Up | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| Ukraine | 10% | $1 per bag | Round Up |
| United Arab Emirates | None | None | None |
| United States | 15-20% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10 – 15% |
| Venezuela | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
| Vietnam | None | None | None |
| Wales | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
Have any interesting tipping encounters? Let us know!
