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Tipping around the world
From an insult in Japan to a wage in the United States: the same gesture means opposite things depending on the stamp in your passport. The table covers 40 countries.
| Country | Custom |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 10% service charge on the bill, optional by law |
| United States | 15 to 20% expected; servers rely on tips |
| Japan | No tipping; it can even offend |
| South Korea | Not customary |
| China | Not customary outside international hotels |
| France | Service included by law; rounding up is kind |
| Germany | Round up or 5 to 10%, said when paying |
| United Kingdom | 10 to 12.5%, often already on the bill |
| Italy | Coperto on the bill; extra tip is rare |
| Spain | Round up; tourists tip more than locals |
| Portugal | 5 to 10% at restaurants, no obligation |
| Switzerland | Included by law; people round up |
| Netherlands | Included; rounding is common |
| Sweden | Included; round up for good service |
| Poland | 10% is the norm |
| Russia | 10% at restaurants |
| Turkey | 5 to 10%, in cash |
| Greece | Round up or up to 10% |
| Canada | 15 to 20%, like the US |
| Mexico | 10 to 15% (la propina) |
| Argentina | 10%, in cash |
| Chile | Suggested 10% printed on the bill |
| Colombia | They ask permission to add the 10% |
| Peru | 10% at nicer restaurants |
| India | 5 to 10%; hotels add a service charge |
| Thailand | Not expected; leaving change is kind |
| Vietnam | Not customary |
| Indonesia | 5 to 10%, sometimes on the bill |
| Singapore | 10% service charge on the bill |
| Hong Kong | 10% added to the bill |
| Australia | Optional; 10% on special occasions |
| New Zealand | Optional |
| United Arab Emirates | 10 to 15%, often included |
| Saudi Arabia | 10% when not included |
| Egypt | A ~10% baksheesh is part of the culture |
| Morocco | Small change at cafes; 10% at restaurants |
| South Africa | 10 to 15% |
| Kenya | 10% at tourist restaurants |
| Nigeria | 10%, sometimes on the bill |
| Israel | 12 to 15%, preferably cash |
The three tipping cultures of the planet
The world splits into three cultures: the American one (the tip IS the wage: 15 to 20%, mandatory in practice), the European one (service included by law; rounding up is courtesy) and the Asian one (good service is the default: in Japan and Korea, insisting on a tip embarrasses everyone). Brazil sits in between: the 10% became a national convention, but the law keeps it optional. The traveler golden rule: cash tips reach the server whole; card tips do not always. And beware the double trap: in countries that include service on the bill, adding 15% on top means paying twice.
Sources: conventions compiled from official tourism guides and local labor law. Customs change slowly, but they change; when in doubt, ask whether service is included.
Last updated: · Methodology and sources