In celebration of my recent birthday, Heidi and I spent the weekend in Vienna, Austria. More on that in future posts including a great stay at the brand new Park Hyatt Vienna, but I once again encountered a problem that I have faced often in the 100+ countries I have visited – to tip or not to tip, and what is the appropriate amount?!
I usually tip 10% in Germany at restaurants, which is on the generous side, but had no idea if Austria had a similar custom or I was being rude by tipping too little or being rude by tipping at all. Few people I know are cheaper than me, and if I don’t have to tip, I don’t want to! Admittedly, the thing I love most about Japan is the cultural taboo of tipping – I think other countries would do well to adopt that, but that opens up a can of worms in the debate over sustainable living wages, so let’s not go there.
Anyway, USA Today has published a helpful chart they borrowed from Magellan’s that lists appropriate gratuity amounts for restaurants, porters, and taxis in 77 countries:
| Country | Restaurants | Porters | Taxis |
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| Argentina | 10% | $1 | Round up fare or small tip. |
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| Armenia | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | None |
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| Australia | 10% in fine restaurants only | $2 per bag | Round up |
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| Austria | 5% above service charge | $1 – $2 per bag | Round up |
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| Azerbaijan | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | None |
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| Bahamas | 10% | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Bahrain | 10% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
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| Belgium | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Bolivia | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
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| Brazil | 10% – 15% | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Brunei | None | None | None |
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| Bulgaria | 10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Canada | 15% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
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| Cayman Islands | 15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Chile | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | None |
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| China | 3% in major cities | $1 – $2 total | None |
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| Colombia | 10% | 75 cents per bag | None |
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| Costa Rica | None | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Cuba | $1 for special service | $1 for special service | $1 for special service |
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| Czech Rep | 5% – 10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Denmark | None | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Ecuador | 10% if no service charge | 75 cents per bag | None |
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| Egypt | 5% – 10% plus service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| England | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 15% |
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| Fiji | None | None | Round up |
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| Finland | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| France | 5% -10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Germany | 5% -10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Greece | 5% -10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Guatemala | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Holland | 5% -10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Hong Kong | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Hungary | 10% if no service charge | None | Round up |
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| Iceland | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| India | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Indonesia | 10% | 50 cents total | Round up |
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| Ireland | 10% – 15% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Israel | 12% – 15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 12% – 15% |
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| Italy | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Japan | Tipping is perceived as insulting | None | None |
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| Kenya | 5% if no service charge | 50 cents per bag | None |
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| Luxembourg | 5% -10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Macao | 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Madagascar | 10% | 50 cents per bag | Round up |
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| Malaysia | None | None | None |
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| Mexico | 10% -15% | $1 | 50 cents |
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| Morocco | Leave loose change | 50 cents per bag | Round up |
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| New Zealand | None | None | None |
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| Nicaragua | 10% for special service | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Norway | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Oman | None | None | None |
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| Paraguay | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
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| Peru | Up to 10% for special service | 75 cents per bag | None |
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| Philippines | 10% | 50 cents – $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Poland | 10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Portugal | 10% – 15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Romania | Round Up | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Russia | 10% – 15% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Samoa | None | None | None |
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| Saudi Arabia | 10% -15% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% |
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| Scotland | 10% -15% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Singapore | None | None | None |
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| South Africa | 10% if no service charge | 50 cents total | 10% |
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| South Korea | None | None | None |
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| Spain | 7% – 10% in addition to service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
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| Sweden | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Switzerland | Round up | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Taiwan | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | None |
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| Tanzania | 10% | None | None |
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| Thailand | None | None | None |
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| Turkey | Round up | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| Ukraine | 10% | $1 per bag | Round up |
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| United Arab Emirates | None | None | None |
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| United States | 15% -20% | $1 – $2 per bag | 10% – 15% |
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| Venezuela | 10% | 75 cents per bag | 10% |
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| Vietnam | None | None | None |
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| Wales | 10% if no service charge | $1 per bag | 10% |
Conde Nast also has a great resource for checking into appropriate tips and gratuity.
So it looks like I overtipped in Austria…
Tipping in the US is getting ridiculous. We’re the only country on that list that above 15% is remotely even expected. And I do mean expected…not even discretionary anymore. Can we please turn back the hands of time when 15% was considered for great service.
Just an FYI, I’ve been to New Zealand many times, and although they don’t really have a cultural tipping percentage, it is definitely perceived as insulting when you don’t tip. I found that out in a very few cases, and some kind friends of mine made up for it to the affected wait staff.
My wife an I travel to Spain every year to visit her sister. Whenever we go out her sister insists we leave very little as a tip. She says most of the staff are paid a decent wage and that tipping is not expected. Anyone else have a similar experience? Bill U
Thanks, Matt, for this simple and useful reference!
In the U.S., note that a required group tip or a “service charge” may NOT be going to the servers per a new IRS rule. (More here: http://travelblawg.boardingarea.com/guide-new-irs-tipping-rule/)
If the restaurant still does mandatory group tipping, I ask if it goes to the servers (and thus trickles down to the kitchen staff). If the service was notable and I want to tip directly to the staff, this might be a factor to consider.
Hey Matthew,
Happy Birthday! Hope you guys had a great time in Austria.
There is also a great app I use called “JustTheTip” that can be downloaded in the Apple App Store.
I was chuckling. The chart is a bit inaccurate based upon my experience. In Poland, tipping was not expected when I was last there 4 years ago but… that may be changing as they Westernize a bit. During/after commie times, tipping was rare and people were frugal and going out unnecessarily was considered wasteful for those I know. Tipping would be done for exceptional circumstances.
In Ukraine, tipping isn’t expected usually but highly appreciated. For Odessa, tipping was expected because of the Hollywood vibe of the city (if you were wealthy enough to eat out, why not tip?)
In both countries, tipping was not expected for taxis since you negotiated the rate with the driver much of the time. You agreed to X so you pay X (Unless you have a meter in Poland, ALWAYS negotiate in advance. I learned that the hard way!) Also note, in Poland they have a meter for holiday/midnight rate and so sometimes the driver tries to set the meter at the higher rate for tourists. So make sure it’s not running real fast. Ask up front how much it SHOULD cost and then watch the meter. Also useful to ask the taxi stand in advance for approximate costs as well. Another taxi tip for Poland/Ukraine: Go online, get a “radio taxi” telephone number, and call them (in English) upon arrival to meet you. The airport/train taxis are a ripoff. We pay about 1/5th the price by calling in advance. Heck, this is a good policy for any unfamiliar city.
Bags. I never tipped in Poland or Ukraine for bags either at the airport or on a bus. In Ukraine, though, on Autolux I experienced a hostess handing out sandwiches and drinks on the bus like you’re on a plane.
Matthew- I thought most people tip in restaurants in Thailand?
I would say that in Russia 5-10% tip is the norm, but I has to be left in cash (tips left on CC don’t trickle down). You may want to update the chart.
I rarely tip taxi drivers. If they load and unload a bag, sure. But otherwise, taxi fares are inflated anyway, and most cities have a taxi monopoly. There’s no reason to tip them for providing the basic service which you hired them for. And now that NYC cabs accept credit cards, there’s no awkward “where’s the tip?” moment. Swipe the card, set the tip at $0, and hop out.
There’s also an easy way to avoid tipping at restaurants. Get the food to go. Or have it delivered and tip the delivery guy nominally, not as a percentage of the bill.
I would say tipping in Australia is not expected, but generally round up (ie in restaurants). Depending on the amount maybe up to the nearest 10 or next 10. I don’t know if I’d tip a porter as anything less than $5 is a coin and that’s just awkward.
If you didn’t tip here in Aus, I don’t think you’d be seen badly. Most of the time I don’t anyway (particularly when paying by card and it’s now all PIN)
Happy birthday Matthew!
I believe the increase in tipping from 15% to 20% as the norm has coincided with the decline in mathematics ability of the students in the United States. As a mathematics professor for over 40 years I have become appalled that so few students know the “trick” of taking 10% and adding half of that to achieve 15%. I once asked a student to calculate 10% of a number and he immediately began to use his calculator on his cell phones.
India isn’t entirely accurate. 10% at restaurants is expected only in “5 Star” hotels or if you have an exceedingly large group of people. In an average establishment, you might put an extra 25-50 rupees on the table, maybe a little more if your party is larger than 2-3 people. $1/60 rupees per bag is also way too high, unless you are in a fancy hotel. 20-30 per bag is more typical. Also, in India, any addition labeled “service charge” is usually NOT a substitute gratuity. It’s a B.S. charge that’s been introduced, especially in large cities, so that owners can keep menu prices low and then unbundle things like utilities or A/C.
10% at restaurants in Italy is incorrect. Tipping isn’t expected outside of the most touristy restaurants – you’ll know you’re in one if a tip line prints on the card slip. Most restaurants don’t even give you the opportunity to round up.
With regard to Brazil, taxi drivers definitely do not expect a tip. In fact, the custom is to round the fare down to the next even amount.
I’ve lived in China for many years and I have never tipped at a restaurant, fancy or otherwise. I’m not sure where you got the 3%. I’ve also only ever seen white people tip bellboys.
In Canada, restaurants put a “suggested %” tip on the bill – be careful though! The % is based on the food+alcohol amount AND the tax – which can be as high as 13% of the food+alcohol! So they are expecting you to tip on the taxable bill which is not right as the tax goes to the government.
Sat the food bill is $100 and tax is 13% (so $113). A 15% tip on the $100 is $15. A 15% tip on the $113 is just under $17. If you’re on holiday and have several meals, those “minor” dollars here and there add up.
In the US (or at least Texas), the suggested tip % is based on BEFORE TAX – which is the way it should be.
In all cases though, we never use the suggested % and always use a fixed $ amount.
I don’t ever tip.
Tipping is never expected in restaurants in mainland China. At least never expected for locals and I don’t see it being necessary for foreigners.
Let’s get real. Tipping is for exceptional service. Expected normal service requires no tip and none should be expected. We Americans for some reason think everyone deserves a tip no mater what level of service is given/received. If a man takes your bag and puts it on a cart does he deserve a $5 tip? What about the waitress that leaves you with an empty glas of tea for 15 minutes or more and makes you wait 20 minutes for your check, does she deserve a 15 percent tip.
Let’s get real with this tipping mess.
I’m in Vienna now (staying at Park Hyatt). You wrote that tips are 5% over service charge. If no service charge listed, is tip 15-20%?
Tipping is generally not expected in Western Europe -certainly in my travels throughout there, say in Germany, Austria, France etc. Most people round up the bill and if very good give 10%. Wait staff are usually unionized in these countries and make good salaries and benefits – that’s why service is often pretty crappy! In the UK there is often a service charge already included. In Eastern Europe I do tend to tip more because their wages are pretty poor. Hardly ever tip in Asia. It’s the ridiculous American tipping psychology that has started to trickle down and people now expect it in touristy areas, even if it is not appropriate in the rest of the country.
The tipping culture in the US is ridiculous. Employers should pay the staff more instead of making large profits. Ten percent I can deal with but recently in restaurants the check has shown suggested tips over 20%. For what is considered to be the greatest country on earth why are the wages so low?