Tips for Tipping Around the World
Few customs demonstrate the importance and complexity of culture as much as the presentation of a tip. In some parts of the world, a tip is voluntary and shows genuine appreciation for a job well done. In other places, a tip may be a significant part of someone's income or automatically factored into the cost of the service. Elsewhere, a tip may be met with confusion or even rejected as rude or inappropriate.
Those who have experienced these variations may well wonder: Why does a bill for five people at a restaurant in Los Angeles typically show the prices printed on the menu (plus tax), but six people sharing a bill assumes a mandatory gratuity? Why should you tip your cab driver at least 10% in New York and Cairo but not in Sydney or Prague? And, why might a tip for your sushi chef in Tokyo be met with a sneer?
When and where to tip
With this swirl of cultural variation in mind, here are a few tips for when, where and how much to tip:
- Japan: For the tip-phobic, Japan will set your mind at ease. The general rule for tipping in Japan is: "Don't." Handing money to someone directly is largely seen as rude, and especially so to a waiter, waitress or taxi driver. Offering a tip may be downright offensive for a sushi shokunin, or sushi chef, who will have spent a lot of time and money in school to perfect their craft. Handing them money essentially says, "You obviously need to go back to school and learn how to do that right."
- China: Before the 1980s, tipping in China was officially illegal, and leaving money at a restaurant would get you chased down by the waiter! Nowadays, the symbolism of a tip from foreign visitors is understood, and is becoming more customary in large cities and tourist areas.
- Iceland: Service charges in Iceland are usually included in the bill, so tipping is not expected. However, you might deserve a tip yourself if you successfully learn to pronounce "Verði þér að góðu," Icelandic for "Bon appétit".
- Australia, Vietnam and the Czech Republic: As far flung as these countries may be, they have a tipping trend in common: Be moderate. Unless you've been a particularly complicated customer, round up your restaurant bill or taxi fare to the nearest whole amount, or add one or two dollars, dongs or korunas if you're feeling generous. Anything more might be confusing.
- The United Kingdom: In the UK, it's generally considered rude to openly tip your bartender. Instead, offer to buy him or her a drink as a sign of thanks. If accepted, the bartender may accept your offer and pour a drink for themselves on the spot, or will save it for a later. The no-tipping rule goes even for pubs, which are bars that also serve food. Conversely, tipping is customary in restaurants, except those that have already added in a service charge to the bill, which is a largely practiced but not ubiquitous custom.
Although not necessarily native to all cultures around the world, tipping as a sign of thanks is understood by most. After all, who doesn't appreciate a little additional income? But, keep in mind that some cultures think very differently from others about how, when and how much money should be offered beyond the stated amount. Before your well-intentioned gesture gets awkwardly misinterpreted, check your travel guide, or better yet, ask a local.
Note: A 12% gratuity has been included in this article. Thanks for your patronage!