How to tip when you travel around the world

How to tip when you travel around the world

There are a lot of different countries in the world, and there are even more tipping customs. When you travel you need to know how to tip in the country that you're in, otherwise you'll leave servers angry everywhere you go. Here are just a few guidelines to tipping around the world.

Brazil

There will always be a standard 10% service charge added to your bill, and you won't necessarily have to tip. If you do feel like being generous, an extra 5-10% will really make your server very happy. Just remember to do this as subtly as possible—Brazilians don't make a big show of this.

Israel

Tipping is a fairly straight forward 10-13%. Your service may not be stellar, but those are the rules. Restaurants in some touristy parts of Tel Aviv may add a gratuity as high as 18%, so keep an eye out to avoid double tipping.

Dubai

In Dubai it's mandatory for restaurants to charge 10% gratuity on all restaurant and bar bills. You can add a couple of dirhams to this if you feel like it. Waiters are not paid very much in Dubai, so it is always very appreciated.

Germany

German bars and restaurants will include the gratuity as part of what you owe, but that's not all you have to pay. It is customary to round the bill up after that, usually to the euro. This can be anywhere from 5-10%. When it's time to settle up, you won't get a bill: your waiter tells you the total and then you tell them how much you want to pay, including your "tip," and hand over the money.

Czech Republic

While locals in the Czech Republic don't leave tips, that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Foreign tourists are definitely expected to leave some kind of tip for service—as long as you're in a high tourist traffic area, like Prague for instance. The standard tip is 10%. Just remember not to misinterpret your server's curtness for rudeness.

India

If you liked the service, go ahead and tip your server 5-10%. You have to adjust that amount though, based on how big the meal you're eating is. If the bill is for a small meal, and totals less than 300 rupees, tip the full 10%. If the bill is higher, tip towards the 5%.

Thailand

Thailand doesn't have a very strict tipping custom, but it's always nice to leave something for your servers. In Thailand a tip will be appreciated, but never asked for. Leaving the loose change left over after you've paid your bill is sufficient, or you can leave a dollar for each diner at the table.

No Tip

Even if you've had really extraordinary service, if the country you're visiting doesn't customarily practice tipping your servers there will not expect a tip. That doesn't mean you can't try to give them one, but just keep in mind that your offer may be more disturbing to the person you want to thank than gracious. Countries where tipping is not usually practiced include Italy, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, France, Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong