Tipping Around the World: A Country-by-Country Guide

From Japan (don't) to the U.S. (always), a practical guide to tipping etiquette across 30+ countries.

Why tipping is so confusing

In one country, tipping is expected and your meal isn't truly paid for without it. In the next, leaving cash on the table is rude. In a third, a service charge is already on the bill — and tipping again is wasteful. There's no global rule, only local norms.

This guide covers the most-traveled countries and the realistic tipping expectations for each.

North America

• United States: tipping is essentially mandatory. Restaurants 18–22%, taxis 15–20%, hotel housekeeping $2–$5/day, bars $1–$2/drink. Servers' base wages can be as low as $2.13/hr.
• Canada: similar to the U.S. but slightly lower — 15–18% in restaurants.
• Mexico: 10–15% in restaurants if no service charge added; small tips for hotel staff.

Western Europe

• France: service is included by law (*service compris*). Round up or leave 5–10% for excellent service.
• Italy: *coperto* (cover charge) is on the bill. Round up or 5–10% for great service.
• Spain: not expected; round up or 5%.
• Germany: round up or add 5–10%, given directly to the server, not left on the table.
• Netherlands: 5–10% for good service.
• United Kingdom: 10–12.5% in restaurants if not already on the bill; usually no tip in pubs.
• Switzerland: service included; round up.

Nordic countries

Tipping is generally not expected in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, or Iceland. Service is included, wages are higher. Round up if you wish.

Eastern Europe

• Poland, Czechia, Hungary: 10% is appreciated.
• Greece: 5–10% in restaurants.
• Turkey: 10% standard.

Asia

• Japan: do not tip. It can be considered rude or confusing. Service is included in price and pride.
• South Korea: tipping is not customary.
• China: not expected (except in some high-end Western hotels).
• Hong Kong, Singapore: usually a 10% service charge on the bill; no extra tip needed.
• Thailand: tipping is increasingly common in tourist areas — round up or 10%.
• Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia: small tips appreciated, especially in tourist services.
• India: 10% in restaurants if no service charge; small tips for porters and drivers.

Middle East

• UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia: 10% appreciated; service charge often added.
• Israel: 10–15% standard in restaurants.
• Egypt, Morocco, Jordan: tipping (*baksheesh*) is expected for many small services.

Africa

• South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania: 10–15% in restaurants; safari tipping is significant ($10–$20/day per guide).
• Egypt, Morocco: see Middle East — small tips for nearly every service.

Oceania

• Australia, New Zealand: tipping is not expected. Round up or 10% for exceptional service in upscale restaurants.

Latin America

• Brazil: 10% service charge often added; otherwise 10%.
• Argentina, Chile: 10% standard.
• Peru, Colombia: 10% if not on the bill.

Universal best practices

• Check the bill for *service charge*, *coperto*, or *gratuity included*.
• Tip in local currency, in cash, when possible.
• Hotel staff (porters, housekeeping) appreciate small tips even where tipping isn't customary.
• If unsure, ask a local or your hotel concierge.

Key takeaways

• Tipping norms vary wildly — research before you travel.
• The U.S. is an outlier; most of Europe and Asia tip far less.
• In Japan, China, and South Korea, *not* tipping is the norm.
• Always check whether service is already included.
• A small tip in cash, in local currency, is appreciated almost everywhere it's accepted.

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