Do you travel across the globe or a continent? If yes, you are probably a seasoned traveler. Traveling comes with trying out different cuisines and the food of different places. While you can ask your local friends to make you good food, chances are that you will be going to different restaurants to try out the local food. Once you are done with your food and you are sitting there feeling sated and waiting for your bill, your waiter would hand you over the bill and this brings us to the most important question. How much should you leave as a tip? Should you tip at all in the first place? What if you say the wrong thing and tip the wrong amount? The stress might take away the pleasure of the good food. Before you get hassled, here are some quick tips on tipping in different countries across the world.
1) The Americas
When one talks about tipping, one would immediately associate it with the USA. Even the novice traveler knows that tipping is almost obligatory in the USA. Here the tip is indicative of your opinion of the waiter’s service. In addition, the tips constitute the major earnings of the waiters. That is because the employers factor in tips whilst paying their waiters. If you leave without tipping, you might find your waiter asking you what they did wrong. So, unless the service was terrible, tip your waiter.
Canada too, is very similar to the USA. A tip of 15-20% is considered to be fair.
Moving south to Mexico. Here tipping is as much a culture as it is compulsory. Many of their waiters here, get the major share of their incomes from tips. So, it is advised to tip them. However, if the restaurant adds a service charge called propina to your bill, then you need not tip the waiters.
In the South American countries, a 10% is considered to be a good tip. If the restaurants charge a service charge then you need not tip. However, you can also reward a very good service by adding a good tip.
In the Caribbean, tipping customs vary with the island. However, tipping is a way of life here and therefore remember that you cannot get by without tipping. If you are in St. Barths, then your restaurant would probably charge you and you need not tip more. However, if you are in the Dominican Republic, then you will have to tip the waiter in addition to the gratuity charged on your bill. If you are in the bar, then buying a round of drinks would be satisfactory.
2) Europe
Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations and tipping customs vary across the continent. In Germany, it differs with the restaurant. If the restaurant has added a service charge then you need not tip. Otherwise, a 10-15% would suffice. In Germany, etiquette dictates that you hand over the tip to the waiter and not leave it on the table.
In France, the restaurant would add 15% service charge and you can consider that sufficient. However, if you have received some special service, do ensure that you add more. If you are in Paris, regardless of the restaurant adding a service charge you are required to tip the waiter a 10% of your bill.
Tipping in Italy is a little delicate compared to the other countries. If you are in rural Italy then tipping is not looked on favorable whereas in other places tipping amount is usually covered in the bill. Sometimes, it is covered in the price of the food. At other times it is covered in the bill. However, if you would like to tip the waiter, leave 5% if you think the service was good or 10% if the service was very good.
Tipping in Spain is different. It is usually not done especially in the casual restaurants. However, in the better restaurants round the amount to the nearest Euro or leave a 5-10% tip.
Tipping in UK is a little tricky. Restaurants usually add the service charge to your bill. However, sometimes is not obvious whether they have. In such an instance do ask them. If they have not, add a 12.5-15% tip.
In Greece, a 10-15% tip would be sufficient. However, ensure that your bill has no errors and whether a service charge has been added or not.
In a countries like Amsterdam or Ireland, tipping is not expected.
3) Asia
The Chinese do not expect a tip, while in India, a 5-10% tip is sufficient. In Singapore tipping is restricted since a service charge is added to your bill, whereas in Thailand tipping between 5-15% is necessary unless there is a service charge. In Malaysia and the Philippines a small change can be left. In Vietnam too tipping is not expected. Tipping is a strict no in Japan. It is considered extremely rude and discourteous.
4) Pacific
The natives of Australia and New Zealand are not in favor of tipping. However, the custom has taken over gradually and a 10% tip is not considered rude.
Remember that in almost every country, tipping is now considered essential. Therefore, remember to add some tips money into your food money.
