by Erik Van Tongerloo

Created on: September 21, 2006   Last Updated: June 06, 2011

Knowing the local tipping customs is almost a necessity when you travel abroad and you want to avoid unpleasant experiences. Tipping, also called royalties, is money that in most countries will be paid if you want to show your respect for the service you get, for example from the waiter in the restaurant, the taxi driver, the luggage carrier etc.

Tipping might seem to be etiquette of polite behavior but this is not true in all the countries of the world. There are countries, for example Japan where people consider tipping as demeaning. Tipping in Japan is viewed as insulted and the waiter will think the service or food was not good. Even if you left some money on the table the waiter will chase after you and return the money because he thinks you forgot some money on the table.

The tipping customs of Japan are different from most other Asian countries. In Thailand there are no specific rules for tipping. Tipping here is more common in hotels which are often visited by tourists but in reality Thai people don't expect one.
Tipping in Asian can be very complicated. It is necessary to inform yourself in a timely manner about the tipping habits of the country you want to visit because you can also break the law. In Vietnam tipping is illegal and this was also in China until 1980. In Singapore tipping is not encouraged but we see more and more that the practice of tipping is growing in many parts of the country.

Tipping in America is a normal practice. Waiters in restaurant earn less money and they expect to get tips from customers. There are restaurants where the tip will already be included in the bill. In general the tip varies between 15% and 20%.
When you take a taxi in America it is a custom to tip the taxi driver on average 15% of the taxi fare. Taxi drivers are normally helpful in loading and unloading your bags and people normally give an extra fee between $1 and $2.

Also in the airport you usually tip the skycaps that will help you with your bags in the airport. (between $1.00 and $2.00 dependent if you check in curbside or the skycap takes bags to the check in counter.  Some other reasons for tipping are wheelchair assistance, the bell boy in the hotel, the doorman who brings your luggage to your room and also if you want to rent a car. For most of them you usually tip $1.00 or $2.00.
Also in beauty salons a tip between 15% and 20% is required.

Tips in Europe are not so common compared with America but in most countries tips are really appreciated.

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