Foreign Tipping Guide by Country & Region
Jul 26, 2012, 6:50 am
#361
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 595
I am sorry, but I think this thread has had its day and is no longer appropriate as a Sticky. None of the gross blunders which have been repeatedly reported by those local to various places have ever been corrected, nor have the absurdities of local tips being quoted in US (I presume) dollars, or any of the other nonsenses. Invariably the errors are ones of gross overtipping. I suggest we scrap it.
Jul 26, 2012, 11:32 am
#362
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Or has anyone tried sending a PM to the OP? Maybe she doesn't know there are updates requested. IME, the OP is just about the hardest-working FTer I've ever met or seen online.
Jul 31, 2012, 12:47 am
#363
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 9
I think it warrants an update. I can suggest that in Spain it varies depending if you're in a café (you can leave without tipping), a restaurant with service charges (a small or no tip), or a restaurant without service charges. Probably around what the OP says. Of course even if you don't give a tip here, it's not the end of the world, there's not a big "tipping culture" here.
10% for a taxi, at least in Barcelona is usually way too much, I travel regularly in a taxi with a native and once with my father as a tourist. When the native tipped, she gave about 50 cents that was left from the change and the taxi gave the standard thanks, because it's the expected tip. When my dad tipped the 3€ from the 30€ for the same trip, the thanks was a lot more surprised and enthusiastic.
10% for a taxi, at least in Barcelona is usually way too much, I travel regularly in a taxi with a native and once with my father as a tourist. When the native tipped, she gave about 50 cents that was left from the change and the taxi gave the standard thanks, because it's the expected tip. When my dad tipped the 3€ from the 30€ for the same trip, the thanks was a lot more surprised and enthusiastic.
Aug 3, 2012, 11:55 pm
#364
Join Date: Apr 2011
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[QUOTE=SkiAdcock;8442613]
Cayman Islands
W/W: 15% if no service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10%
W/W: OK
P: OK
TD: None ( or if you really need round up)
Cab is expensive and there are no meters to show real price. That`s why you`ll be ripped off in any case...
Cayman Islands
W/W: 15% if no service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10%
W/W: OK
P: OK
TD: None ( or if you really need round up)
Cab is expensive and there are no meters to show real price. That`s why you`ll be ripped off in any case...
Aug 28, 2012, 4:24 am
#365
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
A very helpful thread indeed. i'd like to add in a small piece of information on tipping to safari tour guides. People going on safaris must be aware that their guides would expect tips from them, its a major source of their income actually
Sep 5, 2012, 3:44 am
#366
Join Date: May 2004
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That's not quite accurate.
It's true there's no culture of tipping for dining or in general in Taiwan. However, some restaurants will automatically bill the customers for service charges (10% to 20%), which would be considered tips in Taiwan. The restaurants will specify the terms and put that in writing on the menu.
It's true there's no culture of tipping for dining or in general in Taiwan. However, some restaurants will automatically bill the customers for service charges (10% to 20%), which would be considered tips in Taiwan. The restaurants will specify the terms and put that in writing on the menu.
Sep 5, 2012, 5:16 am
#367
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When in Thailand it is important to meet and be friendly to the Concierge desk. They are a form of protection and will help you. Tip well and be friendly. If you are polite kind and tip about 100-150 baht, they will provide good service and not cheat you. They will guide you in the right direction.
I take it we are not talking about Marriott, Starwood et al here...
Also are you talking about Bangkok, or are you including elsewhere in the country too?
Dec 16, 2012, 4:13 am
#368
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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.
.
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.
.
moderators, can't someone figure out how to sort this thread by continent/sub continent?
Dec 16, 2012, 8:03 am
#369
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Dec 16, 2012, 1:06 pm
#370
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Feb 7, 2013, 5:30 am
#373
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May 14, 2013, 7:35 am
#374
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I'm just stopping by here and I can tell you that those values for Spain are outrageously high. I would probably never tip a porter, but maybe 50c if he really did some work. With taxis I don't know many people that tip, but I just ask for change to the next euro out of pure laziness.
In restaurants many Spaniards don't leave tips at all, and then maybe rounding up to the next euro. Leaving one or two more if the service was exceptional. It has almost nothing to do with the original price of the meal, so don't even think in % terms. I would absolutely never tip at any restaurant in a tourist area unless I know the people, they are already overcharging, why give them even more of your money.
I guess the guide on the front page will make you popular with the tourism workers though.
In restaurants many Spaniards don't leave tips at all, and then maybe rounding up to the next euro. Leaving one or two more if the service was exceptional. It has almost nothing to do with the original price of the meal, so don't even think in % terms. I would absolutely never tip at any restaurant in a tourist area unless I know the people, they are already overcharging, why give them even more of your money.
I guess the guide on the front page will make you popular with the tourism workers though.
May 14, 2013, 9:12 am
#375
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Is this thread a candidate for the new wikipost functionality, or is that too likely to get abused with endless back-and-forth edits? 
I think there's a good chance it could be handled responsibly. SkiAdcock, would you be up for moving your post #1 into the wiki so you didn't have to continually maintain it?
I think there's a good chance it could be handled responsibly. SkiAdcock, would you be up for moving your post #1 into the wiki so you didn't have to continually maintain it?