As I (Adnan) travel to different regions of the world, I have observed different customs when it comes to tipping. Here in the good old USA, A tip of 15-20% is customary for good to great service, 10-15% is common for poor service, and 20% and up for excellent service. In Canada & Mexico, few restaurants will add a tip to the bill, tipping in Canada & Mexico is basically the same as in the US. For good service, a tip of 15-20% is customary.
In Italy, Italians tip very little, usually under 10%, or up to 5 euros unless it’s a very expensive meal. France however is different from Italy, A 15% tip is included in the bill by law. In Germany, 12% is included in the check for service. For an OK or Not so good service, you leave nothing. For good service, you simply round up; meaning you leave 22 euros on a 20 euro check.
In United Kingdom its a bit different, Many British restaurants will include a service charge that usually goes to the restaurant owner. Diners can ask for this to be removed or lowered and add their own tip to go directly to the waiter. A customary tip is between 10-15%.
In Switzerland, 10% service charge is included in the check, but it’s customary to round up to the nearest 10 (50 for a meal costing 47) for particularly good service.
Moving onto Asia,
In China tipping is very uncommon, and sometimes even considered rude, at restaurants. And Unlike in the rest of China.
In Hong Kong a tip of around 10% is average at most middle and upscale restaurants will usually include a 10% tip.
Japan follows a similar rule, Tipping is not expected and rarely ever happens. It can even be considered rude, depending on the place. The waiter will get their cut in the form of a 10% service charge added by the restaurant.
Moving onto South America,
While in Chile, Some Chilean restaurants include a 12% service charge, but diners can ask for it to be removed. If no tip is included, a tip of 10% is considered generous.
In Brazil, typically a 10% tip is included in the bill, and it’s not expected that a diner will leave an extra tip.
As for Costa Rica, No tipping is customary, but a 10% service charge is usually included in the bill.
I believe in giving tips when the service is satisfactory or great. Although I am a Plastic (Credit Card) carrier, I do cash every time I am out traveling to make sure people who provide services are appreciated and its my way of saying Thank You.
Talking to friends and colleagues here in America and abroad, people have a mix opinion on tipping.
Some believe it should be abolished altogether and others believe tipping is a must.
Adnan and Samia are a Muslim married couple who travel across the world. Adnan works for International Relations through which he is able to make these trips to exotic places and take his wife along for the ride. Together, both of them travel over 400,000 miles in a year!
