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International
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Tips for offering gratuities internationally
The chance of unintentionally insulting those providing the help needed most in a foreign country, or being judged rude or ignorant by a foreign business partner are avoidable by getting acquainted with destination tipping customs. When it comes to offering gratuities, Americans tend to be generous when traveling to other countries as they are accustomed to the frequent and generous tipping practices in the United States.
In many countries, France for example, service charges are included in the bill—look for these charges in the check before calculating a tip; an additional amount is optional. In Europe, generally, tipping is similar to the United States except that it is more often included in the billing as a service charge. There are countries—Austria, Chile, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Macao, and Spain, in which restaurants and hotels add a service charge but expect an additional 10 to 15 percent.
While there are no absolutes for tipping abroad there are some “safe” assumptions: ten percent for waiters and taxi drivers; a dollar or two for valets; up to two dollars a bag for porters; and one to five dollars a day on the nightstand for the hotel maid. Always try to tip in the local currency, as the exchange fee may render the tip worthless.
How much to tip is not the only consideration; there are other customs to observe. In some European countries, such as Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, and Hungary, hand the tip to the server as it is considered uncouth to leave it on the table.
In Asia and the South Pacific there are places where tipping is not only not customary—Japan, no tipping is necessary; but considered rude—parts of Tahiti, Fiji, and Singapore. Gift giving is acceptable (but not necessary) and some travelers take small wrapped gifts from the United States for maids and concierges.
To find additional information for a destination, check its tourism Website. It is always possible to check with the hotel concierge or the locals when in doubt.
Sources: Star Tribune, CNN.com
