To Tip Or Not To Tip?

In the bustling world of travel, understanding the customs and norms of tipping abroad can be a daunting task, with rules differing dramatically around the world.

To alleviate traveller’s concerns and ensure a stress-free experience, airport parking company Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) has created a comprehensive tipping guide available to download from www.aph.com/tippingrules.

Whether it’s dining at a restaurant, enjoying a drink at a bar, catching a taxi, or interacting with hotel staff and guides, this table will help savvy tourists avoid any awkward moments and navigate tipping customs like a seasoned traveller.

When it comes to dining in the US, it is customary to tip around 20% of the total bill at restaurants, bars and cafes and in Canada around 15 - 20% is expected. In comparison, in Asian countries such as Japan tipping is less common and even sometimes considered rude. The tipping culture in Europe is fairly consistent with countries such as France and Italy expecting tips of around 10 - 15% of a restaurant bill and a few euros when buying drinks in bars and cafes.

But remember to watch out for a discretionary service charge which already includes the tip and is popping up more often than not in European restaurants.

For hotels, keep plenty of change handy as guests are expected to tip the staff, around £1 - £2 or its equivalent for services such as assisting with bags. In India, it is preferred to provide a collective tip to hotel staff at the end of your stay rather than tipping throughout. Additionally, many countries suggest that leaving a small tip of around £1 - £2 per night for housekeeping.

In most countries tipping taxis or tour guides is not a requirement, however offering 10% of the cost of a tour and rounding up a taxi fare is greatly appreciated. It is important to note that tipping a tour guide is the only acceptable time to tip in Japan but remember to offer the tip in an envelope to show respect to their customs.

Not only do tipping customs vary across countries, but travellers should also be aware of the rules when taking an all-inclusive holiday as some resorts encourage guests to tip staff such as tour guides and butlers, whereas some resorts such as Sandals and Beaches already include tips in the all-inclusive package. Most websites will provide a guide to tipping staff at the resort, so it always helps to check ahead.