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Tipping customs vary greatly from country to country, and
what's correct in one may be rude or even against the law in
another. One tip on tipping: keep small notes of local
currency in a separate wallet; this makes it easier to give
them out when appropriate. If in doubt about how much to tip,
err on the side of generosity.
Good tippers tend to be extrovert Americans, the Japanese,
who want to please, and travellers from the Middle East, who
are used to rewarding large domestic staffs.
The Original Tipping Page (tipping.org) website has a guide
to global gratuities and rate calculator for tips at 10 per
cent, 15 per cent and 20 per cent.
Australia and New Zealand: Tips are not
expected but are appreciated, especially in the 10 per cent
range.
Austria: Service charges are generally
included in the bill. Fifteen per cent service charge usually
applies in more expensive restaurants; otherwise, round up the
bill.
Canada: Tip 15 per cent to 20 per cent for
most hospitality services.
Caribbean: Customs vary by island. In
Barbados, tip anyone in the hospitality business 10 per cent
to 15 per cent; in St Vincent, expect service charges to be
added to your restaurant or hotel bill. And anywhere in the
islands, tip the maids and cabbies generously.
Czech Republic: Round up the bill to the
nearest koruna.
China: Tipping is illegal. For exceptional
service, consider giving a small gift.
France and Germany: Tips are automatically
included on the bill, but some diners still leave another 5
per cent.
Hungary: Tipping is a common practice,
even for doctors and dentists. In restaurants, give your tip
directly to the waiter rather than leaving it on the table.
Hong Kong and India: Ten per cent is
common for most services; leaving another 10 per cent is
discretionary.
Israel: Restaurants and hotels will add a
10 per cent tip to the bill.
Italy: Even after the automatic service
charge has been applied, it IS customary to leave another 10
per cent. (However, Italians traditionally tip well only at
places they patronise regularly.)
Japan: Tipping is considered
inappropriate.
Korea: Ten per cent is customary.
Malaysia: No tipping is necessary on top
of automatic service charges.
Mexico: Generous tipping is expected,
especially from wealthy gringos.
Netherlands: The service charge is
automatically added to the bill, though it is not shown
separately.
Philippines: Ten per cent is customary for
most services.
Russia: Generous tipping is expected,
often in advance of services rendered.
Saudi Arabia: Ten per cent tip is
automatically added to the bill and leaving another 10 per
cent is at the diner's discretion.
Spain: Tip a few per cent extra in
addition to the automatic tip added to the bill.
Britain: Tips are usually added to the
bill. If not, leave 15 per cent in restaurants, but not in
bars, unless there is table service. If you do want to leave a
tip, use the phrase "and one for yourself" when
ordering from the waiter/bartender. That's British code for
tip yourself the equivalent of a drink.
US: Tip 15 per cent to 20 per cent for
most hospitality services.
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