Great "How much to tip overseas?" Hunt

Canaries, I tend not to tip unless it's a "wow that's cheap" moment. Mainland Spain has the old tax/vat to absorb - in theory the Canaries should be cheaper but aren't. They were a good few years ago as was most of the Med, but "tourist inflation" has been running higher than normal inflation since the Euro appeared. (a bit like UK inflation when we went decimal).

Don't panic though (I vaguely remember you were heading for GC?), costs around 'oop norf scroaty prices but better surroundings...

Japan

As previously stated most people in Japan do not expect and will not take monetary tips . However if you really believe someone has gone above and beyond give a small personal gift. The Japanese will except these and it shows a true understanding of their culture. ( e.g something small and unique to your hometown that could not be found in Japan - Small Beatrix Potter figure, small picture book , etc ) .

edgordon1982 wrote:

hi, I'm off to south east asia at the end of the year... can anyone tell me whether i need to tip in any of the following countries...
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Mayalsia, Singapore.

Thank you very much x

Tipping in Singapore is actually officially discouraged, even prohibited at the airport. In some restaurants, you might see signs saying "No Tipping Required". Restaurant bills will usually include a 10% service charge (this will be clearly indicated in the bill), which is theoretically supposed to go to the service staff, but I think in practice it just goes to management coffers (don't quote me though, I don't have the evidence to back it up!). However, if you leave a tip over the service charge (say, for exceptionally good service), you won't be turned down, and probably won't be chased around town trying to return your money.

There may be some smaller establishments that do not impose a service charge. This is usually stated on the bill. It's polite to leave the customary 10% tip, but you won't be frowned upon if you don't. Local practice is sometimes to take the notes and leave the coins, but that's again up to you.

Taxi drivers don't usually expect a tip as the fare is strictly metered. But again, you won't be turned down if you decide to leave him something, for example if he helps you with the luggage, etc. I'm not sure if there is a standard practice for hotel service staff (porter, cleaner, etc.), but probably no different from most cities in the world. Anything from $2 to $5 is probably the norm. Just to put things in context, £1 is approx SGD$2.96, and $2 can get you a decent bowl of noodles at the local food centre.

In general, I'd say, tipping is optional. It's not generally expected but not totally unwelcome. The same is probably true in the more urban areas of Malaysia. I'm not sure about the other countries.

Hope this helps. Have a good trip.

Some findings from my worldwide travels...

France
In general, the service charge will be included in restaurants (I forget whether it legally has to be...) so don't tip unless it specifically says service not included. I generally round up taxi fares but last time I rounded €18 up to €20 and the driver acted very surprised.

Germany
You do tip but in cafes and the like you don't leave money on the table (I'm told this is considered rude), instead you call your waiter over, ask to pay and tell them how much you want to pay including the tip. They will then give you the right amount back after tip. Don't get your change then leave a tip on the table!

Italy
I got chased out of a cafe in Ferrara last year because they thought I'd forgotten the €5 note I'd left on the table as a tip! Somehow don't think that would happen in Rome though.

Japan
No tipping. In fact one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in London won't accept tips because it's not done in Japan.

Thailand/Vietnam
Can't remember tipping anywhere out there... And most definitely not on street food stalls, tuk tuks and the like. The taxis in Thailand will inflate their prices so much for tourists anyway!

USA
Just accept it, you tip everywhere, apart from possibly the subway and I'm sure that's only a matter of time... So when you look at menu prices, mentally add on the tax (don't get me started on how that's not included!) then twice that again for the tip. If you can't afford it, go somewhere cheaper - and do bear in mind that generally it's cheaper than in the UK anyway, for much more bigger portions (so share!), and the posters' comments above about minimum wages are true.

You don't have to tip in takeaway establishments including coffee shops, although they will have a tips jar out, that's definitely not obligatory. Do tip if you get food delivered.

Tip $1 per drink ordered in a bar. This will pay for itself as in a good bar they'll keep track of this, and you'll end up getting some rounds free - generally every 3rd or 4th round. This worked in quite a few of the ones we visited in New York. And the measures are huge too!


Happy travelling!

I do not believe in tipping. I know that some will say that there are those that receive low wages because tipping is widely accepted but I, whilst accepting that this happens, consider that we are subscribing to the wages which should be paid by the employer.
I also accept that staff are 'taxed' on earnings but the culture needs to be changed. When I recently visited Las Vegas I made sure that it was me that carried my bags and refused to be assisted. Why should I be forced into giving a tip just because someone grabs my bag. I was amazed that outside the Hotel a man stood there and waved a taxi in to pick up a fare. People actually gave him a $1 just for doing that. I did manage to see him pull out a wad of notes that would have paid for my holiday!!
Years ago I worked in a very low paid job for the local Council and members of the public benefited from my labours but never once did I get tipped.
You may call me 'scrooge' but I never get tipped when I save someone's life and I would not expect it. If people refused to accept low wages then management would have to pay a better rate of pay thus removing the need to expect a tip.
If you visit a shop and get excellent service (and this it what you should get anyway) do you tip? I doubt it. So why tip a waiter just because he carries a plate of food some 20 feet? How about tipping the train driver or sewage worker or hospital staff?
Sorry but I totally disagree with the whole idea and just will not subscribe to it.