Tip, Baksheesh, Napitnina, Trinkgeld, Pourboire…
We spend our vacation in different countries. We stay in hostels, eat in restaurants, take taxis… when paying we usually leave a tip. But do you know how much should you give, and where is it appropriate? Is it actually appropriate?
Tipping on planes, trains, ships
On holidays we usually go by car, plane, train or take a cruise with a cruise ship. We do not tip stewardesses and other plane personal, because they are like our hosts. Many airlines have even forbidden taking tips. You don’t have to tip the conductor. But if you dine or drink at the train’s restaurant it is appropriate to leave a tip. Taking a cruise is an entirely different story. Tips are expected here and are even slightly higher than on land. 10 to 20 percent is a common amount. A lot of cruise lines charge tips automatically and are included in the price. If this is the case you don’t have to leave a tip.
How much where?
USA:
The wages are quite low there, so the employees are dependant from tips. We usually give 15-20% of the total amount.
Europe:
- Denmark – Tips are not expected.
- Belgium – Tip is already included in the price.
- France –10-15% left on the table is normal in Cafes and restaurants. Pageboys and chambermaids do not require a tip.
- Finland – Unfamiliar with tips.
- Greece – 10% in restaurants is polite. If it’s possible leave the tip for the chambermaid on the last day of your stay.
- Italy – 10% is expected in restaurants and cafes, a chambermaid is entitled to about 5€ per week.
- Spain and Portugal – We leave 10 to 15% on the table in cafes and restaurants.
- Switzerland – Tip is already included in the price.
- Great Britain and Ireland – 10 to 15% is appropriate in restaurants, if the service charge is not already noted on the tab. Tipping in classical English pubs is not necessary.
Asia:
- Japan and China – Tip is not expected, it can even be understood as an insult. It is better to give a small present. In tourist centres tipping is quite common by now. 10% is usually an appropriate amount.
- Thailand and Malaysia – The tip is sometimes already in the price, if it’s not, 5-10% should suffice. Giving less than 10 baht is considered offensive in Thailand. A chambermaid should get 20-40 bahts per day, and porters should get the same amount for each item of luggage.
Arab countries:
The home of the “baksheesh” culture. It means tip is required for every single service, no matter how small the service is. With it the locals earn their social “welfare”. Leaving a tip is normal in hotels. Chambermaid should get a euro per day and porters should get the same amount per for each item of luggage. In “all inclusive” hotels there are boxes meant where collecting tips for cooks and waiters.
Common mistakes when leaving a tip:
- Being stingy (giving just a few cents).
- Putting tip on the bill.
- Giving tips to owners and bosses.
- Giving the tip in the waiter’s hands in USA, Spain and Portugal.
- Tipping in China and Japan, where they are familiar with the concept of tipping.
The golden rule
We can say that giving 10% we can’t go wrong. But be careful in Asia and the USA.
