Where in the World should you not tip - Exoticca Blog (2024)

Tipping is a complicated affair. If you don’t leave a tip while in the US, you will be greeted with a look of disdain; equally you’d get a similar response when giving the waiter a few extra Yen in Japan. So, where should you not tip? Here we’ve outlined eight countries where not tipping is the norm.

Spain

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This addition might be a little shocking to some. However, if you don’t leave a tip in this country of sun, sand, and sangria, it is considered completely normal. Yes, of course, upon receiving excellent service a few extra euros left on the table will not go a miss. Yet, keep in mind that sometimes a 10 percent service charge is included (servicio incluido). This is usually for more fine-dining establishments and, unfortunately, is very rarely given to staff.

For other circ*mstances like taxi rides, hotel services etc. don’t ever feel obliged to part with your cash unless they’ve done something remarkable. Even then, it may seem a little patronising.

Japan

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Unlike Spain, Japan is a country where you should not tip at all; it’s actually offensive. In the majority of Japanese restaurants a bill is not brought to the table. Instead, payment is accepted at the bar, so even trying to leave a tip for the waiter can be tricky. In other situations outside of a restaurant setting – i.e taxi rides, haircuts etc. – good service never warrants a tip. In spite of this, Japanese service is one of the best in the world. This is stellar news for those planning on attending the2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

China

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Barring Hong Kong, tipping is a strange concept in most of mainland China. Saying this, due to the ever-growing influence of western tourism, China may not make this list in the near future. In hotels and restaurants tips are becoming increasingly more common. The difference here, however, is that it doesn’t need to be money. Alternatively, a small gift from your own country is a more heartfelt gesture to show your appreciation.

Important warning: in some regions of China tipping the taxi driver is illegal. Therefore, remember that insisting on tipping could land the recipient in hot water.

Denmark

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Somewhat surprisingly, Danish law decrees that service charges in restaurants have to be included in the price. This may seem a little harsh to outsiders; however, the majority of hospitality workers here pocket a good salary. Alongside this, benefits include maternity and paternity leave, childcare, disability coverage, and paid vacation from the government or their employer. Just like Japan, even without monetary incentives Denmark’s hospitality industry figures amongst the world’s best in terms of quality.

Brazil

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In Brazil tipping is relatively unheard of. As with the majority of places on this list, giving extra isn’t an offence; equally, it’s not considered necessary. Many bars and restaurants impose a 10 percent service, although the service staff rarely get this. If that wasn’t bad enough,minimum monthly wagein Brazil is just over £250. For this reason, we feel that giving a tip while visiting Brazil is a good way to express your gratitude. Additionally, it adheres to our tips onresponsible tourism.

Belgium

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The tipping etiquette in Belgium is reserved for exceptional cases. Most bars and restaurants include a 10-15 percent tip and – especially in comparison to the the US – receive a good salary. As a whole, leaving a tip is uncommon in Belgium. Although, it does vary in different parts of the country. In Wallonia (south) tips are more common; in Flanders (north) it is less common. Still, locals in either region rarely leave a tip.

Australia

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The general consensus in Australia is that workers in the hospitality industry earn well. Consequently, Australians refrain from tipping. When staying at a fancy hotel the porter will not charge a service fee – and neither will anyone for that matter. So, unless you’re particularly wowed by someone, do as the Aussies do while on a trip Down Under.

New Zealand

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Maybe due to its traditional British roots, New Zealand has resisted the trend of tipping. Similar to the other more developed countries on this list, fair wages are common across the board. After drinking in the delights of its dramatic landscapes, you may feel like you owe extra, but tour guides won’t be opening their hand at the end of trips.

Where in the World should you not tip - Exoticca Blog (2024)

FAQs

Where in the World should you not tip - Exoticca Blog? ›

Like many Asian countries, China has a largely a no-tipping culture - for decades it was actually prohibited and considered a bribe. To this day, it remains relatively uncommon. At restaurants frequented by locals, customers do not leave gratuities.

Why is tipping rude in China? ›

Like many Asian countries, China has a largely a no-tipping culture - for decades it was actually prohibited and considered a bribe. To this day, it remains relatively uncommon. At restaurants frequented by locals, customers do not leave gratuities.

Where in the world is it customary to tip? ›

Similar to the U.S., patrons in Canada and Colombia also tip staff 15-20%. In Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru, servers are used to a little less, with 10-15% gratuity being the norm. Most restaurants in Brazil, Chile, and Costa Rica include a 10% sit-down charge to the bill (referred to as a cubierto in Chile).

How much should you tip a tour guide in Egypt? ›

Customary Tipping Amounts in Egypt

For tour guides, a tip of 100-200 Egyptian pounds per day is customary, depending on the length and quality of the tour. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is sufficient, although you may choose to add an additional 5-10 Egyptian pounds for exceptional service.

What country should you not tip in? ›

Japan. Unlike Spain, Japan is a country where you should not tip at all; it's actually offensive. In the majority of Japanese restaurants a bill is not brought to the table. Instead, payment is accepted at the bar, so even trying to leave a tip for the waiter can be tricky.

Is it OK to never tip? ›

If it's fast food or you're grabbing a pre-packaged item from a shelf, Farley says you don't need to tip. But in other cases, especially if the order is for more than one person, you should leave at least a 10-15% gratuity.

Why is tipping rude in Europe? ›

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. Servers are paid a living wage, and tips are considered a small bonus — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number. In many countries, 5 percent is adequate and 10 percent is considered a nice tip.

Why is tipping rude in Japan? ›

It is in the Japanese culture to take pride in your work. As such, employees have the highest standards when supplying a service and don't feel the need to accept tips to feel appreciated. To the Japanese, attempting to give a tip suggests their employer does not value them enough to offer sufficient pay.

Is it rude to tip in Italy? ›

No, tipping isn't considered rude in Italy. While not expected, a small tip shows appreciation for exceptional service and is generally well-received. Just remember that overtipping might be seen as unusual or unnecessary.

Is tipping a thing in Africa? ›

Whilst tipping in Africa is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. It ensures a comfortable living wage for those working in the service industry, from the professional guides who lead your safari, to the cleaners who plump your pillows on your return.

What culture tips the most? ›

United States. The United States is leading in the countries that tip category, every single time. Tipping is called a gratuity here, where servers or those in customer service ask for a thank you in the form of money.

Do you tip in Australia? ›

Do you tip in Australia? Tipping in Australia is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you're in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.

Is it rude not to tip a tour guide? ›

Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.

Is it rude not to tip in Egypt? ›

Whether your culture is a tipping culture or not, it is the culture in Egypt and if you travel it's wise to adhere to local culture. You tip when and what you are comfortable but 10% is a reasonable amount.

What is the average wage in Egypt? ›

Egypt Average Salary

The Average annual salary in Egypt is 156,526 EGP which is around 5065.40 USD according to Salary Expert. The Average hourly wage in Egypt is 75.25 EGP which is nearly 2.44 USD.

Is it rude to not tip on top of gratuity? ›

So should you still tip? We hate to tell you there's no one right answer here. But after soliciting thoughts from diners, owners, and employees, our takeaway is this: The majority of people don't offer a gratuity on top of a service charge, and the majority of restaurants don't expect them to.

Should you tip everywhere you go? ›

But, Moore said she believes consumers shouldn't be asked to tip nearly everywhere they go – and it shouldn't be something that's expected of them. “It makes you feel bad. You feel like you have to do it because they're asking you to do it,” she said. “But then you have to think about the position that puts people in.

What is the rule for tipping? ›

Deciding how much to tip depends on what kind of service provider you're working with and how well they do their job. But if you're looking for a general rule for services in the U.S., you should typically tip 15% to 20% of the bill, according to most etiquette experts we interviewed.

Is it rude to not tip for takeout? ›

Tipping really doesn't have any specific rules, but you never want to look like a jerk if you missed the memo on the unspoken rules of tipping. Like when it comes to tipping on takeout orders, it's certainly not required (and not everyone does it), but it is a nice thing to do.

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