Tipping Culture Abroad

As an educated customer, most people believe it is polite to tip on top of satisfied service. However, tipping culture varies between regions. Generous customers therefore should not miss out on the following advice.

Tips are not mandatory but expected among several countries. The most well-known one is probably the US. Tipping culture was nurtured explicitly after the Great Depression. This tipping tradition is still deep-rooted.

Earning low income, laborers, especially in the service industry, expected 15-20% tips on top of the service charge. For a group of customers, usually 10 or above, an 18% tip is fixed in several restaurants.

In some Latin American countries, namely Mexico and Columbia, 10-15% of tips are widely expected. Although in some restaurants a 10% tip is mandatory, it is illegal to force somebody to tip under Mexican law.

Interestingly, in Columbia you would be asked politely whether you are indeed leaving a tip. If you are unsatisfied by the service, simply leave 5% or even no tips as an indication of your dissatisfaction with the service.

Tipping is less intense in most Asian, African, and European countries. You can appreciate the service simply by leaving a small amount, or asking the waiter to keep the change. It can be based on the rating of the restaurants.

In the UK, some are satisfied with the minimum wage, thus tips are optional. But for some, the phrase “and one for yourself” is commonly used, so the bartender can pour themselves a drink or accept the cost of a drink as a tip.

However, tips can be offensive in some places. Japanese insist that good service is obligatory. Therefore they find it insulting to receive tips. If you really want to show gratitude, a special envelope is needed as packaging.

One of my Mauritian friends told me, if you receive a tip in Mauritius, not only you and your family would be humiliated, but there is also the possibility of being publicly shamed by the media, or going to jail in the worst scenario.

Tipping culture is different around the world. After all, this tradition is built upon mutual respect, appreciation and gratitude.