If you're heading overseas, check the tipping customs. Some cultures have adopted some U.S. tipping customs; others may consider tipping offensive.

Windham International (www.windhamint.com), a company that specializes in helping U.S. expatriates relocate overseas, offers information on international tipping customs.

Beijing: Not customary.

Dublin: Largely not expected; service charges usually are included in the bill. Cab drivers are tipped 10 percent; bellhops and porters are usually given 1 Irish punt per bag.

Istanbul: Depends. Cab drivers don't expect it, but rounding up 10,000-20,000 lira is much appreciated. A 10-15 percent service charge is included at everything but the cheapest Istanbul restaurants, but that fee rarely is given to the waiter. Current custom dictates that an extra 10-15 percent be left on the table or handed to the waiter. Staff at a Turkish bath usually expects a 30 percent tip, which is shared.

London: At restaurants, 10-15 percent if not included on the bill. For cabs, 10-15 percent.

Manila: At restaurants, 15 percent. For cabs, 5 pesos.

Mexico City: At restaurants and for cabs, 10-15 percent if deserved.

Paris: Restaurants usually include gratuity on the tab; look for the term "service compris" on the bill. However, leaving a little extra is customary for good service. For cabs, 10 percent.

Prague: At least 10 percent for restaurants and cabs.

Rome: At restaurants, a 15 percent service charge usually is added to bills, but it doesn't all go to the waiter; leaving an extra 5 percent is customary.

Singapore: Not customary; in fact, Singaporeans become upset when they see tourists tipping. The one exception is hotel bellhops, who are usually tipped 1 Singaporean dollar per bag.

Sydney: According to the tourism site DiscoverSydney.com.au, tipping is not expected. However, a small tip (10 percent) in a restaurant is "appreciated" if the service is exceptional. Bellhops usually get a few dollars; however, some hotels discourage tipping.

Tokyo: Not customary.

Toronto: At restaurants and for cabs, 15 percent.


Source: Orbitz 7/24/2001

This has not been my experience in 20+ trips to Singapore.

1) Bellhops do not expect a tip, but neither do they refuse one .
2) Most restaurants already add a 10% service charge on the bill. Singaporeans do tip if the restaurant does not although not much; a Singaporean colleague once recommended to me to give a 50SGD tip on an approximately 950SGD restaurant bill.

At current exchange rates 10,000 turkish lira is seven tenths of a penny, picture giving a New York Cabbie a penny for a tip. Wouldn't step in front of the cab on the way out.