When I first started traveling, I did not know tipping etiquette. Arriving at a hotel, I dreaded the bellhop’s approach. Exactly how much would he expect me to tip for carrying bags to my room? Nervous, I’d wave him off, feeling bad for rejecting him, but saving myself the embarrassment of undertipping. Think about that — to avoid personal embarrassment, I wouldn’t even let him do his job.
Maybe you can relate?
Do you know how much to tip the taxi driver, the concierge or your hotel maid? Do you know how much to tip the server when your food arrives cold or under-cooked? Some fabulous people have developed a great tipping etiquette tool to demystify tipping and help you — and me — travel like a pro.
The fine people at Travel Sense created a handy PDF tipping card you can print and carry with you during travel. This little “cheat sheet” ensures you’ll always know the appropriate amount to tip during travel. The card even includes space for standard tip amount currency conversion when traveling outside the country. How’s that for convenient?
Tipping Etiquette Quick Tips
While researching for this post, three points struck me as most helpful.
- Tip restaurant servers 15-20%, regardless of the quality of service. I can hear some of you now, “What???” Indulge me for a minute… Restaurants run smoothly when the front of house (servers and host/hostess) and the back of house (cooks, kitchen manager and bartenders) have their timing in sync. Problems with your meal may not be the server’s fault. The back of house may have burned a dish or dropped a plate on the floor to mess up the timing of your meal service. Someone may have called in sick leaving the staff short-handed. So, tip the server 15-20% and ask to speak with the manager who can discount your meal. Only then can the true problem be remedied.
- Tip in a timely manner. When staying at a hotel for a number of days, tip the doorman, bellhop, concierge and housekeeping when service is given. Consider their benefit, appreciation. Consider your own, too, better service the next time around.
- Tip more for excellent service. When you receive an unexpected compliment, doesn’t it brighten your day? When I served tables one summer during college, I served lunch each day to a family staying at the resort. By midweek, I knew the family’s preferences well and was ready when they arrived. On their last day, they left me a 200% tip — in addition to the regular tips through the week. I was elated. More recently, my son and I were traveling on a tight timeline and informed our IHOP server of the rush. He was efficient and polite. We left him a 100% tip with great joy. If a concierge secures a hard to get table for you in the big city, reward him. When the hotel maid service tucks your daughter’s teddy bear among the pillows on the bed, let her know you appreciate the gesture. You get the idea: reward service industry kindness with a generous tip — it’s mutually beneficial!
Now you have everything you need to understand proper tipping etiquette during travel — and at home. Now get out there and have some fun! Just remember to thank those who provide it.
Jodi @ Heal Now says
Thanks for this, I might print those things, I wonder if they come for each country because customs are different where ever you are.
Karen says
Jodi, today’s post (December 3) covers the rest of the world…
https://familytravelsonabudget.com/budget/tipping-rules-around-the-world/
Hodgepodge of Styles says
Europe, Middle East and Asia do not practice tipping. However we find in many times especially in Middle East and Asia that when we tipped, we get added customer service. This is very useful for my overseas friends who planned to holiday in the US. 🙂
Rosey says
We have a really hard time not practicing American tipping habits when we are in Europe. It feels rude NOT to tip the standard amount…
Do you know offhand what the tipping habits are for South America? Or more particularly Sao Paulo?
Karen says
Rosey, I’ll find out and write a followup post Monday.
Rosey says
Well, I’ll be back Monday then. 🙂 We’re not headed there for awhile, 2014, but when we go we’ll be staying with friends so I’m anticipating it way more than I am our trip to Europe over Spring Break (and I love Europe).
The anticipation is often part of the fun of traveling, I know, but I don’t usually get excited until a week or so before a trip, NOT a year and then some, lolol.
Karen says
Wow. Where are you going in Europe? We looked forward to our Paris trip for two years — and it did not disappoint!
Rosey says
We go every Spring Break…family tradition (one of my FAVORITE family traditions). We’re going to Dublin this time.
I’d love tips on tipping (haha, no pun intended) in Copenhagen or Thailand/Angkor Wat too, if you’re doing a group of them and have time. No pressure whatsoever though, I’m just curious and can live w/o them on the list. I have little doubt we’ll get to Copenhagen at some point, but w/the little guy, Angkor Wat is probably not in the picture. 🙁
I remember reading about your trip to Paris and seeing the fabulous pictures of your son (editing at the Eiffel Tower). That was you, right? I’m 99.9% sure…but now second guessing myself (IhatewhenIdothat). 🙂
The Detox Diva says
It’s funny but this works great in the US, Europe actually is shocked when you tip 15% unless it is a very swank establishment (except hotel bellman and other staff) and in the Middle East, tipping is considered unheard of… Rarely does anyone leave more than a few riyals (I am not one of those people… I am the person who pretends to leave my phone and then leaves a substantial tip!) and I think waitstaff really don’t know what to do with a tip that size.
Karen says
Very true. This is an American tipping post! I am notorious for overtipping in other countries as well.
Sarah says
haha I have to laugh, when I was in Australia my friends and I tipped the waiter at a pizza place, as we were walking out and in the parking lot, he RAN out of the building to give us back our few dollars. Was shocking to us! That’s when we learned they don’t tip. We tried to get him to keep it, but he wouldn’t.
Karen says
Sarah,
Come back Monday. I’m going to TRY to include tipping guidelines for popular countries around the world. So far, Brazil, France, England, China, and Japan — and now Australia!
Where else?
Sarah says
Wish I could let you know about Singapore, Canada, Okinawa and a few others, but I honestly don’t remember IF we ever tipped at that point, I just don’t remember what we did. That Australia one really shocked me enough to remember. 😉 I’ll be back Monday. 🙂