For many Canadians, tipping is part of our everyday life. Tipping servers at restaurants and taxi drivers may seem natural to you but when you travel outside of Canada, do you still tip the same way? The truth is, tipping rules may vary by country, by region, and by scenario so read on to get some tips on tipping around the world.
Fodors.com shares the following information about tipping standards in a variety of countries:
Australia:
Tipping is not expected but waiters and waitresses do appreciate a 10 to 15 percent gratuity when offered and thatâs becoming more commonâespecially in pricier restaurants. The only other person you should tip is your hotel porter: $1 per bag.
The Caribbean:
In general, the Caribbean islands follow the United Statesâ lead when it comes to tipping. However, many all-inclusive resorts levy a 10 to 15 percent service charge. You may, of course, tip on top of that but consider the level of service before doing so.
China:
Tipping is not customary in China with one exception: tour guides. Give $5 to $10 per person for a half-day excursion and as much as $10 to $20 per person for full-day tours.
France:
A 15 percent service charge is always included in any restaurant or bar bill and tipping beyond that is not expected. However, feel free to leave an additional 5 or 10 percent for excellent service. At a café, round up the bill if you wish to leave a little something extra for your waiter. Give your taxi driver one or two euros as a tip and the hotel porter should get one euro per bag.
Top 3 tipping tips:
While tipping standards differ, here are three general tips to help you in this area:
- Research before you go
In some countries, such as Japan and China, tipping may cause confusion and in some cases, your good intentions may be taken as an insult as it is not part of their culture. A good solution to avoid awkward situations is to do a little research beforehand. - Carry small amounts of cash on you
Before leaving Canada, you may want to exchange your big bills for small denominations. If travelling in the United States, $5 or $1 bills can come in handy at airports, taxis, hotels and restaurants. - Be prepared
You have just enjoyed a day-long excursion and now you are not sure if tipping your guide is appropriate or not. What do you do? Well, your travel guide book may be able to help you or you may want to look up some travel apps before you leave home. It can help to have some resources ready so you can look things up in a pinch.
If you have any questions about your travel destination or the tipping etiquette, you can also ask your BC licensed travel agent. Consumer Protection BC licenses and regulates travel agents and wholesalers in the province.
We hope this information was helpful!
ADDITIONAL READING:
Travelling? Consider packing a travel health kit.
Tips for booking travel online
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