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Tip for Tipping
We have covered the very fragile topic of tipping outside the US before...it is a tricky one. I have seen a few website and guides which instruct tourists on tipping and I have never felt comfortable with any of them. Ehow.com for example, has a tip for tipping in the Czech Republic suggesting people should round up to the nearest koruna. That is absolutely not the case. You would round up a 179 crown bill up to 200, not 180.
I do not quite understand why Americans--the world's richest nation--are so concerned about tipping (specifically over-tipping) when traveling abroad. When in doubt, I find that you can't honestly go wrong with tipping more, even if people tell you tipping is not necessary. Often they are just being polite. If you can tip 15% at home, why not do it abroad?
Yes, you might be paying more than people usually get, but it is better than trying to figure out the tipping etiquette in each country or under-tipping. Yes, you want to be treated like a human being, not a walking bag of cash (ehm, good luck with that). Yes, there is the argument that service workers in the US only earn a minimum wage and they depend on higher tips. I would argue that the US minimum wage is still much higher than "regular wages" in 99% of the rest of the world. Plus, the entire world knows that it is customary in the US to pay generous tips. They see by the clothes you wear that you can afford it. Why not just do it?
Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Antarctica
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Oana Jan 12th 2007 7:49PM
I agree with you in principle, but I wouldn't tip in countries like Australia where the service charge is included in menu pricing at restaurants.
Jack Connick Jan 12th 2007 9:26PM
Your comments are naive. In many countries people do not tip like westerners do, an example is northern Thailand. They are, in fact, a bit insulted, as they see it as charity, unless they've done a special favor/service for you.
Other places include it in "bread and water" table charges. In Egypt you give very small tips for everything. They'd love 15%, but would laugh at you.
In Fiji we gave tips to the divemaster of our group, as if we gave them directly to the guides, they'd just drink it up in kava and beer. same in Indonesia, we were told not to give too much, they really didn't handle it well.
Personally, I think Americans are obsessed with tipping; over-tipping to show they are so well-off. It is seen as a sort of arrogance in many places.
I think you need to do a little more research...
Book Fan Jan 13th 2007 2:44PM
Agreed, Jack, Thailand was my example too. Usually it's more of a fixed amount per service person regardless of the venue, and people do take some offense at just spraying your big money around. Counter-intuitive and not universal, but it does happen.
I think it's just polite to figure it out a little, just like language. Yes, I screw it up, but I make the effort to do things their way in their country.
Gotta say though, if your worst faux pas is overtipping, definitely don't lose any sleep over it.
Dave Jan 13th 2007 12:28PM
Wow. Sorry, but I can't disagree with this post more. Tipping is a social norm and custom. And while visiting a country one should be respectful of those norms. Showing disrespect by not taking the time or effort to learn what is appropriate is just, well, disrespectful. It's also dangerous. I could relate a story of a porter in Tanzania who accepted a all-too-generous tip which upset the community balance and got the poor guy fired (his entire family was counting on his subsistence wage)... Do you really want to be responsible for something like that?
Anyway, just like attempting to learn a few phrases in a new land, the effort is most often appreciated. If you're not sure what an appropriate tip is, just ask!