Anyone who likes to go on vacation knows the problem: you’re sitting in a restaurant or café and wondering how much you should tip and whether it’s even necessary. Because while good service is rewarded with an extra amount in many countries, in some countries tipping is unusual or considered impolite. In one country it is even completely forbidden.
The months of July and August are considered the main travel season, when families and couples in particular go on vacation during the summer holidays. During this time, many restaurants, bars and small cafés swarm with travelers who want to enjoy the culinary diversity of their travel destination. Many tourists ask themselves whether they should tip the bill. And if so: how much tip is appropriate in the holiday destination?
Tipping rules differ from country to country. For example, in the USA, tips make up a large part of the salary of service personnel. The minimum wage is just over 6 euros, which is why guests pay an average of 15 to 20 percent of the total amount as tips. Basically, in bars, after a taxi ride or services provided by hotel staff, you are rewarded with a few dollar bills.
In other countries, however, these rules differ. We’ll give you a guide on how much to tip in popular holiday destinations in Europe and Asia.
Holidays in Europe: You should tip in these countries
France
In France, you are generally not obliged to tip. In restaurants, a service fee of 15 percent is included on most bills under the note “Service compris” (at the bottom of the bill), which is why an additional amount is not necessary. If you were particularly satisfied, you can still leave a tip (in French: “pourboire”); how much you give is entirely up to you.
Tipping is not customary in bars and sidewalk cafes. If in doubt, you can simply round up.
Great Britain and Ireland
In restaurants, you will usually be charged a service fee of ten to 15 percent, in Ireland a maximum of ten percent, with the comment “service charge” or “service fee”.
Go to a pub, pay as soon as you order, and usually don’t tip. Better buy the bartender a drink. In some cases, however, service staff also have a glass ready for tip coins. by the way: If you go out with several friends or colleagues, the group rule applies. Here someone fetches drinks for the group and also pays for them.
Greece
In Greece, a tip is generally expected after visiting a restaurant. Here, service staff count on the additional payment as a supplement to their earnings. At least ten percent is usual. Only if you were particularly dissatisfied should you give less than 10 percent.
Usually you pay the bill first and have the change brought to you. You then leave the tip in cash. Make sure you leave the service in cash, even if you pay with a debit or credit card.
In taverns, on the other hand, it is sufficient if you simply round up the invoice amount.
Italy´
In Italy there is a fixed rule that determines the size of the tip. Read more about this here.
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Tipping: These rules apply in Croatia, Spain and Portugal
Croatia
Tips are not necessarily expected in large parts of Croatia, but they are not included in a separate flat rate in the bill either. If you would like to show your gratitude with a small amount, you can give around ten percent of the invoice amount.
In particularly touristy areas, however, a small tip is expected. Between five and ten percent is appropriate.
Spain
After your meal, you should tip between five and ten percent in cash in Spain. However, it is very unusual to pay separately here. If you are traveling with friends, the bill and the tip will still only be paid by one person. If you don’t want to invite everyone at once, you can pay the amount among yourself afterwards using PayPal’s Family & Friends function – you can find out how this works in this article.
After a taxi ride or in bars, simply round up the amount.
a notice: In Spain it is considered impolite to tip in small cents. Therefore, use either bills or one and two euro pieces.
Portugal:
It is similar in Portugal. You should tip about 10 percent in restaurants. In bars, on the other hand, it is unusual to leave some.
Tipping in Asia: You should definitely pay attention to this
China
When traveling to China, do not tip in bars or restaurants. Because in many restaurants it is forbidden for the service staff to accept tips from the outset. Here you only have to pay the amount of your food and drinks. What you should definitely pay attention to during your stay there, read our article about 10 things you should never do as a tourist.
Japan
You shouldn’t tip in Japan either. Although tipping is not forbidden on the island chain, the extra money is seen as an insult. For the Japanese, it goes without saying that they offer their customers good service that does not have to be remunerated.
Thailand and Viet Nam
Tipping is not customary in Thailand and Vietnam. If you are in Thailand in particularly touristy places, it has become common practice to leave a small tip.
In Vietnam, on the other hand, a small service fee of five to ten percent is often included in the price.
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