Tipping in China - what is best practice?
Apr 22, 2019, 5:27 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
There is a driver that I used several times before for the Wall and got to know him quite well. The first time that he got a tip, his reaction what, "why?". He was even more surprised by an American who gave him a very good tip and then wrote a one-star review.
There is a saying, "service is included, except for Americans who can't help it and have to tip".
I certainly would never tip a driver.
There is a saying, "service is included, except for Americans who can't help it and have to tip".
I certainly would never tip a driver.
Apr 23, 2019, 10:32 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
I am renting a driver for a day in Beijing to go to the Great Wall, no tour guide. Solo traveler. The confirmation I received states the price does not include "meal and tips (optional)." In researching whether/how much to tip the driver, I am running into two conclusions:
a) no tip is required, or
b) drivers and tour guides for foreign tourists are the exception to the no tipping rule in China, they are underpaid because it is expected they will make money from tips. The recommended tip for the driver is 100+ yuan per person/day.
Is a or b the recommended option for respecting local norms? Thank you!!
a) no tip is required, or
b) drivers and tour guides for foreign tourists are the exception to the no tipping rule in China, they are underpaid because it is expected they will make money from tips. The recommended tip for the driver is 100+ yuan per person/day.
Is a or b the recommended option for respecting local norms? Thank you!!
Apr 24, 2019, 1:18 am
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
My SOP is to buy drivers lunch, whether or not I accompany them. This usually costs around Y50, though sometimes Y100. The logic is that when they eat near their houses, they can get by on Y20, but this is not possible at tourist traps.
Apr 24, 2019, 5:27 am
#34
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
What government policy? The drivers that I know are doing very very well. I am talking to drivers catering to foreign tourists which is the topic here.
Apr 25, 2019, 12:39 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
The government policy of artificially keeping taxi fares low for nearly two decades. Even if your driver is mainly catering for foreign tourists he is still operating in the same overall market and therefore his fares will have been driven down compared to where it should be if you look at the income distribution in general.
Apr 25, 2019, 10:48 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
The government policy of artificially keeping taxi fares low for nearly two decades. Even if your driver is mainly catering for foreign tourists he is still operating in the same overall market and therefore his fares will have been driven down compared to where it should be if you look at the income distribution in general.
Apr 25, 2019, 11:25 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
Didi is hardly setting fares based on market conditions. It's an outfit that is burning cash at rates last seen during the dot-com era.
Apr 26, 2019, 1:22 am
#38
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
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Agreed. My previous company went to battle with well funded Chinese firms, and we honestly never had a chance. Didi is sitting on a big pile of cash, and will burn it as needed, in order to win. Meituan also has a lot of money, but I expect them to bow out soon, if they haven't already.
Apr 26, 2019, 5:58 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK & MKE
Programs: Amex-gold, Hainan-gold, Mrt-LT Titanium
Posts: 1,353
Hotel tipping
In China, I don't tip for meals, taxi's, or private drivers. But at hotels when staying multiple nights (3-7) I do tip both the front desk manager & the EL supervisor, usually about Y100. Its done in a white envelope thanking them for the suite upgrade & EL special services. During & before CNY, it's Y200 in a red envelope, & Y50 to other 'good' EL staff, amazing results on the repeat hotel stays.
Last edited by Jiatong; Apr 26, 2019 at 5:59 am Reason: splng
Apr 26, 2019, 7:11 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
In China, I don't tip for meals, taxi's, or private drivers. But at hotels when staying multiple nights (3-7) I do tip both the front desk manager & the EL supervisor, usually about Y100. Its done in a white envelope thanking them for the suite upgrade & EL special services. During & before CNY, it's Y200 in a red envelope, & Y50 to other 'good' EL staff, amazing results on the repeat hotel stays.
May 1, 2019, 2:57 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I don't ever tip at all in China. That's what I love about travelling in Asia. Quite frankly, I think the idea of tipping is dumb, but I know there will always be two sides to this debate and it'll never end.