We've previously covered how much to tip people according to the service they provide, but our list is only good for tipping in the United States. What do you do if you find yourself in some other corner of the world? How much should you tip? And where in the world can you go to escape from having to tip anybody?

The BBC has tapped the resources of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (h2g2) community and reported (HT: Dean Christakos) what they indicate is the proper amount to tip, and for what around the world, so we thought we'd take some of that information, combine it with worldwide tipping information from Wikipedia and incorporate it into a dynamic table. All so you can avoid international social awkwardness and quickly discover where, how much and who you should tip.

You can quickly sort the data contained in the dynamic table below by clicking the column headings, once to rank the items according to that category from low to high value, and again to put the list into reverse order. To restore the original table, refresh your web browser.

International Tipping Guidelines

Where	How Much	Who	Comment
Argentina	0	Everybody	Tipping is illegal in Argentina, but waiters often expect a small tip. Be discreet.
Australia	0	Everybody	Tipping in Australia is basically non-existent.
Austria	5-10%	Restaurant Staff	Tip more if service is exceptional.
Belgium	0	Restaurant Staff	Tipping is not expected in restaurants.
Bolivia	0-5%	Service Staff	Service charges are often added to a bill, making tipping unnecessary.
Brazil	10%	Restaurant Staff	The customary tip for good service at restaurants is 10%.
Bulgaria	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is not customary in Bulgaria, but may be left as a sign of appreciation.
Canada	10-20%	Service Staff	Tipping is expected for restaurants, bars, food delivery and taxis.
Chile	10-20%	Restaurant Staff	By Chilean law, tipping is mandatory in restaurants.
China	0	Everybody	Government policy in China mandates that foreigners are charged more for services they receive.
Costa Rica	1	Porters	Tipping is not customary in Costa Rica, except for porters or others who might handle luggage.
Croatia	0-10%	Restaurant Staff	Service charges are typically added to restaurant bills, eliminating the need to tip.
Czech Republic	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is done as a only sign of appreciation.
Denmark	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is done as a only sign of appreciation.
Egypt	0	Taxi Drivers	Taxi Drivers are not tipped.
Egypt	10-20%	Everybody Else	Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. Although taxi drivers are not tipped, a caleche (horse-drawn 'buggy') driver should be tipped on top of the agreed fare.
Estonia	0	Everybody	Tipping is not a common practice in Estonia.
Ethiopia	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is common for service in hotels, restaurants, bars and parking lots. If tipping a dancer in a restaurant, stick a paper money bill on their forehead.
Finland	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is optional, but if you do, use cash.
France	0	Restaurant Staff	By French law, tips are included in the price of service (typically around 15%). No additional tipping is required.
Germany	5%	Service Staff	Amount tipped may vary for quality of service.
Greece	Variable	Service Staff	Amount tipped varies for quality of service. It is not common to tip taxi drivers.
Hungary	Variable	Service Staff	Amount tipped may vary for quality of service. Repair technicians may also be tipped.
Hong Kong	0	Taxi Drivers	Taxi Drivers do not expect tips (but they won't be turned down either.)
India	Variable	Restaurant Staff	Tipping in India really only applies to high-end restaurants, which have only recently established the practice. Otherwise, tipping is not commonly practiced..
Israel	0	Hotel Staff	No tipping is required. A service charge, usually around 10%, is added to your bill for hotel services.
Ireland	10-12%	Service Staff	Tipping is becoming customary in Ireland, although not in pubs.
Israel	12%	Restaurant Staff	It's customary to tip the waiter 12% regardless of the quality of service.
Italy	0	Restaurant Staff	No tips are expected in restaurants throughout Italy, but it is customary, even if the restaurant adds a service charge.
Japan	0	Everybody	Tipping in Japan is non-existent.
Malaysia	0	Everybody	Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. Restaurants do however often add a 10% service charge, eliminating any need to tip.
Mexico	Variable	Everybody	Tipping is expected for almost any service. The amount to be tipped is at the discretion of the tipper.
Mexico	Variable	Parking Meter Cop	If parked at a meter with a short time limit, offer a tip for the patrolling parking meter officer to watch the meter to avoid being ticketed.
Netherlands	5-10%	Restaurant Staff	The amount tipped should vary with the quality of service.
New Zealand	0	Everybody	Service is almost always included in the prices you pay, so no tipping is necessary.
Norway	5-10%	Restaurant Staff	Tipping is strictly optional, with the amount dependent upon the quality of service.
Paraguay	0	Everybody	Tipping is uncommon in Paraguay. Service charges are often added to bills.
Romania	10%	Everybody	Shops not frequented by westerners often refuse tips.
Russia	1-10%	Restaurant Staff	Amount tipped varies by the quality of the establishment.
Serbia	10-15%	Restaurant Staff	Tipping is expected if the customer is satisfied with the establishment's service.
Singapore	0	Everybody	Tipping is not required in Singapore. Restaurants do however often add a 10% service charge, eliminating any need to tip.
Spain	0	Everybody	Tipping is not customary in Spain.
South Africa	10%	Restaurant Staff	This level of tipping applies unless the restaurant applies a mandatory service fee for a large party.
South Korea	0	Everybody	Tipping is not expected in South Korea. Restaurants and hotels do however often add a 10% service charge, eliminating any need to tip. When paying a taxi driver, tipping is done in the form of asking them to keep the change.
Slovenia	10%+	Tourist Areas	Tipping is not customary in Slovenia, except for high-tourist areas.
Sweden	Variable	Service Staff	Tipping is done as a only sign of appreciation.
Switzerland	0	Everybody	Tipping is not customary in Switzerland.
Taiwan	50	Airport Porters	Tipping is rare except for airport porters, who are often tipped 50 new Taiwan dollars per bag. Restaurants often add a 10% service charge, eliminating any need to tip.
United Kingdom	Drinks	Bartenders in Pubs	Do not tip cash at the bar in a pub. If service is good, offer to buy the barkeep a drink (only tip cash at their request after first offering to buy them a drink.)
United Kingdom	10-20%	Bartenders in Restaurants	Tip cash. This gets a bit tricky if you're in a pub that serves food (where you wouldn't tip), but tipping is expecting in food establishments that serve drinks.
United States	15-20%	Service Staff	Amount to be tipped varies according to type and quality of service provided. See our guide here.

We should also note that in many far-eastern countries, it's not uncommon for a server to refuse a tip, at least at first. This is driven by custom - in many countries, the process of tipping involves negotiation. The key is to offer to tip first, allow them to decline, then to counter-offer with a higher tip. Generally speaking, just use your best judgment!

And yes, the preferred method of tipping bartenders in the U.K.'s pubs is our favorite!

Labels: business, food

- posted by Ironman at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Home |