Foreign Tipping Guide by Country & Region
Jun 11, 2012, 5:37 am
#346
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I'm always bemused about these comments about high percentages for "excellent service" in the USA, of all countries. Does it really exist anywhere there any more ? And as for existing in Manhattan, of all places, well .......
Jun 12, 2012, 12:38 pm
#347
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Is there any consensus on whether tips should be calculated on the tax-inclusive or pre-tax total?
Jun 12, 2012, 7:11 pm
#348
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Many New Yorkers I know use the trick of doubling the tax to figure the tip (i.e. if tax was $10, tip would be $20). That trick also works in many other locales in the US but not all, such as in Pennsylvania, where the 6% tax doubled would equal 12%, which is too low.
Jun 12, 2012, 7:20 pm
#349
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: EU
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Sorry I didn't read the whole thread. Anyone have this book?
http://www.bradtguides.com/Book/217/...n-Tipping.html
Seems useful.
http://www.bradtguides.com/Book/217/...n-Tipping.html
Seems useful.
Jun 13, 2012, 7:26 am
#350
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: QFF WP
Posts: 379
Pre-tax--always.
Many New Yorkers I know use the trick of doubling the tax to figure the tip (i.e. if tax was $10, tip would be $20). That trick also works in many other locales in the US but not all, such as in Pennsylvania, where the 6% tax doubled would equal 12%, which is too low.
Many New Yorkers I know use the trick of doubling the tax to figure the tip (i.e. if tax was $10, tip would be $20). That trick also works in many other locales in the US but not all, such as in Pennsylvania, where the 6% tax doubled would equal 12%, which is too low.
However, I have noticed, that they calculate this percentage on the inc-tax total not the ex-tax total. Sneaky.
(Yet another reason to add to my list of why I hate compulsory tipping.)
Jun 13, 2012, 9:28 am
#351
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We are currently visiting Montreal and were given the same advice by the concierge at the hotel (tax = 15% here). It seems most of the portable EFTPOS (=credit/debit card machines for non-Australians) machines here have a function that calculates the tip as a percentage, which in theory should make things easier.
However, I have noticed, that they calculate this percentage on the inc-tax total not the ex-tax total. Sneaky.
(Yet another reason to add to my list of why I hate compulsory tipping.)
However, I have noticed, that they calculate this percentage on the inc-tax total not the ex-tax total. Sneaky.
(Yet another reason to add to my list of why I hate compulsory tipping.)
I'm not a fan of mandatory gratuity, either (although I can understand it in the case of a large group). However, I would be at least as annoyed with not being able to keep my government in check by transparently seeing how much they are collecting from me.
Jun 13, 2012, 2:58 pm
#352
Join Date: Feb 2011
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General rule for a 15% tip is now GST(5%)*3. Since the last tax rate hike in Quebec, tipping the tax is OK, as well as inputting 13% (post-tax, ~15% pre-tax) on the card machine.
Jun 13, 2012, 5:06 pm
#353
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Jun 14, 2012, 10:55 am
#354
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 379
The Canadian GST and the Quebec QST are both value-added, which I believe means they are built-in to the price and not broken out separately. Thus, it's rather difficult to calculate the pre-tax price on which to tip.
I'm not a fan of mandatory gratuity, either (although I can understand it in the case of a large group). However, I would be at least as annoyed with not being able to keep my government in check by transparently seeing how much they are collecting from me.
I'm not a fan of mandatory gratuity, either (although I can understand it in the case of a large group). However, I would be at least as annoyed with not being able to keep my government in check by transparently seeing how much they are collecting from me.
I would have assumed that this breakdown is required by law (it certainly is in Australia).
You've also touched on another aspect of visiting North America that drives me bonkers - display prices ex-tax. Personally I find the "transparency" argument against is unconvincing, to say the least. It seems to be somewhat random whether or not the inc- or -ex-tax price is advertised in Canada.
Jun 14, 2012, 11:47 am
#355
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You've also touched on another aspect of visiting North America that drives me bonkers - display prices ex-tax. Personally I find the "transparency" argument against is unconvincing, to say the least. It seems to be somewhat random whether or not the inc- or -ex-tax price is advertised in Canada.
When we lived in Canada the GST replaced a "hidden" tax at the manufacturing level and our Member of Parliament blamed the destruction of the party that established it on the fact that they didn't hide the new tax.
In summary, as a resident I'm all for the transparency as a reminder of the "bite" the government takes, but I do understand your frustration.
And now back to our regularly scheduled posting...
Jun 25, 2012, 8:53 am
#357
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Moderator note.
The purpose of this thread is to serve as a guide to whether in certain countries, tips are customary; and, if so, the basis and amount of the custom. Let's keep this thread useful for the many who are planning trips to various countries. That is why it is a "sticky".
The thread is not meant to duplicate or cross-post philosophical discussions of whether tipping is a proper activity economically or morally or should be done. Off-topic and/or cross-posted posts have been deleted. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.
The thread is not meant to duplicate or cross-post philosophical discussions of whether tipping is a proper activity economically or morally or should be done. Off-topic and/or cross-posted posts have been deleted. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.
Jul 18, 2012, 4:53 pm
#358
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FRANCE:
My college French professor was adamant: leave the small coins, take the rest. Basically, it's a rounding up, and it could even be done to the half-euro these days. Very rarely you'll get an "addition" with "Service non compris" on it, in which case add 15% like here. But it's rare--maybe 1% of the cases.
ITALY:
Same thing. If your bill is even, you don't really have to leave anything, although I sometimes do (50 cents or 1 euro, no matter how much the bill) because they've come to expect Americans to be Daddy Warbucks.
I don't know where this "tip 10% in Europe" thing comes from. I see it in guidebooks all the time, but they're all written by Americans. If you watch the natives at the next table, see what they do. Lots of times, they leave nothing.
My college French professor was adamant: leave the small coins, take the rest. Basically, it's a rounding up, and it could even be done to the half-euro these days. Very rarely you'll get an "addition" with "Service non compris" on it, in which case add 15% like here. But it's rare--maybe 1% of the cases.
ITALY:
Same thing. If your bill is even, you don't really have to leave anything, although I sometimes do (50 cents or 1 euro, no matter how much the bill) because they've come to expect Americans to be Daddy Warbucks.
I don't know where this "tip 10% in Europe" thing comes from. I see it in guidebooks all the time, but they're all written by Americans. If you watch the natives at the next table, see what they do. Lots of times, they leave nothing.
Jul 26, 2012, 4:54 am
#360
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
The purpose of this thread is to serve as a guide to whether in certain countries, tips are customary; and, if so, the basis and amount of the custom. Let's keep this thread useful for the many who are planning trips to various countries. That is why it is a "sticky".
The thread is not meant to duplicate or cross-post philosophical discussions of whether tipping is a proper activity economically or morally or should be done.
The thread is not meant to duplicate or cross-post philosophical discussions of whether tipping is a proper activity economically or morally or should be done.
I don't know where this "tip 10% in Europe" thing comes from. I see it in guidebooks all the time, but they're all written by Americans. If you watch the natives at the next table, see what they do. Lots of times, they leave nothing.