When To Fork It Over: How Tipping Differs Around The World

Picture this: you’re dining in a fabulous Far East restaurant. You’ve eaten local sushi prepared from the freshest fish, tasted sake for the first time and are loving the staff’s attention to detail. In fact, everything at the restaurant is top notch!

You’re so impressed, you leave the waiter a tip.

Sounds fine? Well, it turns out, your kind action could cost your waiter or waitress a job. That’s why short stay apartment provider Loving Apartment compiled a new infographic entitled “Do I Need To Tip? and How Much?”

We’ll take a closer look at the study to let you know how to prepare for your next vacation, whether you’re taking in great man-made wonders like Machu Picchu in Peru or experiencing the beauty of nature in the Himalayas of China and Nepal.

East Vs. West: Tipping In North America And The Far East

According to the Loving Apartments infographic, the most profound difference in tipping customs was observed between these two regions. For example, while most service people depend on tips for their livelihood in major U.S. cities, these workers may take offense to your actions in countries like Japan or China.

The source notes that, “it’s been known for employees to lose their jobs for accepting tips in China,” as adding gratuities to the bill may be taken as an implication that the service person’s work is “undervalued by the employer.” Though, it says protocol may differ in restaurants that cater specifically to Western clientele.

Safe Practices For Tipping At Restaurants

While the previous paragraph may make it seem like tipping is substantially different country-to-country, the infographic reveals that travels can generally rely on standard practices to avoid spoiling their meals.

For example, Loving Apartment indicates that in India, South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Middle East, it’s appropriate to tip 10 percent if no service charge is added to the bill. Though certain differences remain – you may need to add an extra 5 percent in Qatar or the U.A.E., for example, or add nothing at all in New Zealand – in most cases, this level of tipping is appropriate.

Safe Practices For Tipping At Hotels

Just as with restaurants, tipping at hotels is fairly standardized around the world. According to the source, in India, South America, North America, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Middle East, a $1 to $2 per bag tip for porters will generally suffice.

Inconsistencies in this rule of thumb will arise if you’re staying at a high-end Asian hotel, where service charges can reach as high as 20 percent. Likewise, in Hong Kong, it’s not uncommon for hotel staff to receive $10 for fulfilling their duties, and in South America, smaller hotels usually demand larger tips, the source says.

Safe Practices For Tipping Taxi

When it comes to getting to and from your intended destinations abroad, Loving Apartment notes that there’s more variance when it comes to tipping taxis. For instance, leaving any change for your driver will be considered polite in India, Europe, Australia and most of Asia, but tips aren’t expected in the Middle East, Japan, China and South America.

However, you’ll want to reach for your wallet in North America, New Zealand and Africa, as drivers there are accustomed to receiving 10 percent gratuity.

To see these facts displayed in an easy visual format, take a gander at the infographic below.