The Tipping Cultures Around the World
Tipping for services received is a global way of expressing one’s gratitude and appreciation for the work done well. Here’s how much tip is expected in different countries of the world.
Tipping after receiving a service is a global way of showing gratitude and appreciation for a job well done. The concept of tipping started in Tudor England when aristocrats gave extra money to servants for helping them. Over time, tipping spread to other jobs, including waiters, delivery persons, postmen, nurses, electricians, drivers, carpenters, mechanics, casino dealers, and more.
More than 400 years later, the tradition continues but has become quite arbitrary. According to a Cornell University study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology in 2016, people are twice as likely to tip a grocery delivery person than a grocery store clerk. But why? Both are jobs, right? The answer lies in modern customs.
Tipping customs vary from place to place and culture to culture. For example, while high tipping is appreciated in the US, it can be seen as an insult in Japan. So, how do we know where, whom, and how much to tip? Here’s a guide to different tipping cultures in various countries:
Scandinavia:
- Countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland
- Practice: Service charge is usually included in restaurants, so tipping is unnecessary. Cab drivers and tour guides don’t expect tips.
Central Europe:
- Countries: France, Spain, UK, Germany
- Practice: Service charge is included in the bill, but tipping at least 10% is appreciated. Exceptional service may warrant a 15-20% tip.
Southern Europe:
- Countries: Italy, Austria, Portugal
- Practice: Card payment is not the norm. Taxi drivers are happy to keep the change. In restaurants and hotels, tipping is optional but appreciated.
North America & Canada:
- Practice: Tip 15-20% on restaurant meals, an extra dollar per drink in bars, 10-15% or a decent round-up of the cab fare to drivers, and a couple of dollars to hotel staff like bellboys, coat check-in staff, and valet parking staff.
The Middle East:
- Countries: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia
- Practice: Similar to North America’s tipping culture.
Central & South America:
- Countries: Mexico, Brazil
- Practice: Tipping wasn’t common, but tourism has changed this. Tip 10% of the total bill in restaurants if no service charge is added. For tour guides, tip a minimum of $10 per day. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips.
China & Japan:
- Practice: No tipping culture; tipping is considered offensive.
Nepal:
- Practice: Service staff appreciate a discreet tip for exceptional service, especially during festivals and holidays.
South Asia & Southeast Asia:
- Countries: India, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia
- Practice: A modest tip depending on the quality of service is usually enough. Sometimes, service staff may ask for more.
Singapore, Australia & New Zealand:
- Practice: Tipping is not expected but appreciated as staff are paid well.
North Africa:
- Countries: Egypt, Libya, Morocco
- Practice: Tipping is highly expected. Tip more often in smaller amounts.
Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria
- Practice: Tipping is important, especially in remote tourist areas. Tips make up a large portion of the service staff’s income. Tipping 8-10% can enhance your experience.
Now that you know about tipping cultures in different countries, you can plan your next vacation better. How much do you usually tip in India? Tell us in the comments!
