Index № 001 — 47 countries
A country-by-country field guide for restaurants, taxis, hotels, tours and the rest. Written for the traveler who'd rather not guess.
East Asia · JPY
Tipping is often refused and can be seen as an insult. Quality service is the standard, not an extra owed.
North America · USD
Tipping is a core part of service wages. Under-tipping in restaurants is considered rude in most of the country.
Western Europe · EUR
Service is legally included in the bill (service compris). A small extra is a gesture, never an obligation.
Southern Europe · EUR
The coperto (cover charge) already sits on your bill. Extra tipping is warm but never assumed.
North America · MXN
Tipping supports service workers directly. Cash in pesos is preferred over card add-ons.
Western Europe · GBP
Many restaurants add a discretionary service charge. Outside of that, tipping is modest and situational.
East Asia · CNY
Tipping is uncommon in mainland China and can confuse staff. High-end hospitality is the main exception.
Central Europe · EUR
Round up the bill and state the total when paying. Handing the tip directly is the rule, not leaving it on the table.
Southeast Asia · THB
Tipping is not deeply rooted but is warmly received in tourist zones. Small notes in cash are the standard.
Oceania · AUD
Hospitality staff earn a living wage. Tips are for genuine appreciation, not routine.
South America · BRL
Restaurants add a 10% service charge (couvert / serviço) that mostly goes to staff. Extra is optional.
North Africa · EGP
Baksheesh — small cash tips — greases nearly every service interaction. Carry small notes at all times.
North America · CAD
Customary but voluntary
Southern Europe · EUR
Service is usually included in the price. Rounding up or leaving small change is a friendly gesture, never an obligation.
South Asia · INR
Not deeply traditional but increasingly expected in tourist-facing hospitality. Small cash notes are preferred.
Middle East · AED
Many restaurants add a service charge, but cash tips on top are common and welcomed, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
East Asia · KRW
Tipping is uncommon and can cause confusion or be politely refused. Service is built into the price.
South America · ARS
A modest tip is customary at restaurants, though many prefer cash due to currency exchange dynamics.
Middle East · TRY
Tipping is a well-established part of service culture across restaurants, taxis, and tours.
Southern Europe · EUR
Service is often included, but rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service is common, particularly in tourist areas.
Central Europe · CHF
Service is included by law in the bill. Rounding up is the norm rather than calculating a percentage.
Southern Europe · EUR
Tipping is a warm gesture rather than an expectation. Rounding up or leaving small change covers most situations.
Central Europe · EUR
Service is included in the bill. Round up and state the total aloud when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
Western Europe · EUR
Service is included in the price. A small rounding-up is a nice gesture for good service, never an obligation.
Central Europe · PLN
Tipping around 10% is common in restaurants but not obligatory. Handed directly rather than left on the table.
Southeast Asia · MYR
A service charge is usually already added to bills. Additional tipping is uncommon outside luxury hotels.
Eastern Europe · RUB
A tip of around 10% is common and appreciated in restaurants, though rarely demanded.
Southern Europe · EUR
Rounding up or adding roughly 10% is common in restaurants, especially in coastal tourist areas.
Central Europe · HUF
Tipping around 10-15% is customary in restaurants and is handed directly to the server, not left on the table.
Middle East · SAR
Not deeply traditional, but small cash tips are increasingly common and welcomed in restaurants and hotels.
Southeast Asia · IDR
Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge, but small additional cash tips are warmly received, especially in Bali.
Southeast Asia · VND
Tipping culture is growing, especially in tourist areas. Small cash amounts are appreciated rather than expected.
North Africa · MAD
Small cash tips, known locally as a token of appreciation, are woven into daily service interactions.
Southeast Asia · SGD
Tipping is actively discouraged in most settings. A 10% service charge is already built into most bills.
Central Europe · CZK
Rounding up or adding roughly 10% is common in restaurants, stated aloud when paying rather than left on the table.
Western Europe · EUR
Similar to the UK — many restaurants add a discretionary service charge. Outside of that, tipping is modest and situational.
Western Europe · EUR
Service is included by law in the bill. A small rounding-up is a friendly gesture for attentive service.
Northern Europe · SEK
Service is included in the price. Rounding up the bill is the norm rather than calculating a set percentage.
Northern Europe · DKK
Service is included in the bill by custom. Rounding up is a small gesture rather than an expected add-on.
Northern Europe · NOK
Service is included in the bill. Rounding up is appreciated for excellent service but never expected.
Southeast Asia · PHP
Tipping is a meaningful part of service income, especially outside of large chains. Small cash amounts are always welcome.
Oceania · NZD
Hospitality staff earn a living wage, and tipping is not part of local culture. Tips are for exceptional service only.
Southern Africa · ZAR
Tipping is a well-established and meaningful part of service income across restaurants, tours, and hospitality.
South America · PEN
Not deeply traditional but increasingly common in tourist-facing restaurants and tours, especially around Cusco and Lima.
South America · COP
Restaurants often add a voluntary 10% service charge (propina) that diners can decline. Additional tipping is a nice gesture.
South America · CLP
A 10% tip is commonly added to restaurant bills as a suggestion, though it can be declined if service was poor.
Middle East · ILS
Tipping around 12-15% is standard practice in restaurants and is factored into how service staff are compensated.