Smart travel tips • January 2017
The Club’s guide to tipping around the world
Tipping etiquette can be a cultural minefield when travelling. To avoid embarrassment and confusion, adventurer Graham Hughes – aka the man who visited every country in the world – has compiled a definitive guide on the dos and don’ts
1. Know when to tip
As a general rule, restaurants, bars, cafés and taxis will generally expect a tip. Exceptions are Japan, South Korea, China and Southeast Asia, where tipping isn’t expected and may be considered rude.
In the USA, pretty much everyone in the service industry expects tips, and can become cranky if they’re not forthcoming. In Egypt, where the concept of baksheesh goes back generations, you may have to shell out an Egyptian pound or two just because somebody held a door open.
Overland in west and central Africa, the police will often expect ‘tips’ for manning checkpoints. Likewise in India it helps to view the ubiquitous ‘hurry-the-hell-up-tax’ as a pre-service tip.
2. The tipping point: how much?
In most places, 10 per cent is absolutely fine. In the USA, up this to 20 per cent to be on the safe side. If you’re tipping because somebody helped you out for a minute or so, $1 (or the equivalent) is usually okay.
If somebody has gone out of their way to assist you (and you know it’s not their usual job) a small gift would be more appropriate.
3. It’s all in the delivery
Keep coins and notes of small denominations on you. There’s nothing more embarrassing than asking the tippee for change. When paying by card they often allow you to type in a gratuity, so don’t consume too much wine over dinner and accidently tip $1,000 instead of $10.00.
Whatever you do, don’t push a note into their top pocket and give them a playful slap to the face – this only works in Hollywood movies.
Avoid embarassment by keeping coins and notes of small denominations on you. Photo: Getty Images
4. Do-it-yourself is okay
It can be irritating when people do things that you could easily do yourself, such as trundling your luggage a few metres to the taxi, in the expectation of a tip. So be firm from the outset: do it yourself or simply walk away.
5. When not to tip
The obvious answer is after exceptionally bad service, but this can be a problem when service is included in the bill. Legally, you can refuse to pay it – and, who knows, you not tipping may encourage them to raise their game. You’re doing them a favour. At least that’s what I tell myself…
This article has been tagged Opinion, Travel Tips