Japan - Tipping in japan?

What's the story with tipping in japan?

I tipped the guy who brought my bag to my room and he looked uncomfortable and then at dinner there was no line for tip on the dinner bill?

Is it frowned upon?

Thanks

What's the story with tipping in japan?

I tipped the guy who brought my bag to my room and he looked uncomfortable and then at dinner there was no line for tip on the dinner bill?

Is it frowned upon?

Thanks

You dont ever tip in Japan anywhere. Not at the restaurant. Not the cab driver etc.. Sometimes, people will say you leave money somewhere ie when you stay in a ryokan. I don't normally do that. But I have done it once or twice.. Usually I leave all my one and 5 yen and then once I put a 1000 bill as well. But you don't have to generally speaking. Maybe at a truly "Western" restaurant. I'm sure others will have lots to say.. so stay tuned

Tipping as in "you HAVE to tip!!!" is a very American thing and even though other nations might expect tips too, the US seems to be the only country where there are strict rules about tipping that have to be followed.

In Japan, you usually don't tip at all. Even without a tip, they will offer you the best service possible. I remember this one time, I went to a really nice Japanese restaurant and everything was perfect and the bill seemed miuch too cheap for what I got so I felt like I had to give them more money - but they gave me exact change and simply wouldn't take more. Believe me, I really tried.

I think if you really want to tip (at a bar for example) you could buy the bartender a drink or something like that.

Gratuity is a social custom. Historically, East Asian cultures did not have a tipping concept. The thought is you ought to give the best service, regardless of the customer's status and amount paid. This has been ameliorated in recent times by the imported Western custom at such places as Hong Kong or top-shelf Western establishments, but it is still rarely seen.

In Japan, you don't tip, period. It is frequently mentioned in Japanese etiquette guides. All services rendered are part of the cost; any attempt to pass money is equated to a bribe, which is why tipping makes some Japanese uncomfortable and in rare cases, offended. Less sensitive Japanese will be confused by the attempt to tip; the more informed about Western customs will be amused.

Oddly enough, gratuity is usually in reverse in Japan, in which the owner/server gives you an extra entree with your dinner or some other extras. This frequently occurs for frequent customers or acquaintances, or unusual or famous ones. This is colloquially known as "service" in Japan.

In Japan, you don't tip, period.

Double period. It's NEVER required or expected. Tipping in Japan really is that simple.

Recently, we in a restaurant, and the tab came to something like 15,980 yen. We paid with 20,000, took the 4000 yen change in notes, and left 20 yen in coin just because we didn't want to put more coin in our pockets. They literally came running after us down the street after us to give us the money we had left behind "accidentally" - it didn't even occur to them that we had left it for them.

Having said that, the one place I will tip occasionally is in the taxi. If the change is some minimal amount, I'll let them keep it. And, the one place in Japan that I'll actually give a big tip is if I take a taxi such a short distance that it's still within the flag drop, and where the driver had been waiting in a taxi rank for a long time. I feel sorry for that guy, so I'll just give him a 1000 yen note and tell him to keep it. That's like a 40% tip, but the guy may have been waiting for 45 minutes only to draw such a dud of a passenger. Like everywhere else in Japan, a tip is not required or expected in this situation, but I personally feel better if I do so, and they do seem to appreciate it.

(as mentioned there are minor exceptions somewhere about high end ryokans, but it's not expected).

Generally you do not tip in Japan, especially in the circumstances you mentioned.

Most guidebooks will point this out, a search on google "Japan no tipping" will yield 275,000+ results.

It might seem strange to someone who is used to tipping to actually get back exact change (instead of just saying "Keep the change" as a tip), but that's how it is.

(as mentioned there are minor exceptions somewhere about high end ryokans, but it's not expected).

It's also worth mentioning that, in high end ryokans, ¥1000 is not considered a huge tip.

Thought I would offer up the following 3 threads on or (almost on) the subject of tipping in Japan!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/833545-observations.html



http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/682072-how-do-i-tip-concierge.html


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/498596-hotel-tipping.html

Thanks for the replies