Summer holidays offer the perfect chance to immerse yourself in new cultures abroad, including local dining and transport customs. But after savoring a meal at a restaurant or arriving by taxi, how much should you tip? Sara Benwell from the Good Housekeeping Institute shares expert guidance: "In Japan, there's no tipping culture—offering money can offend waitstaff—while in the United States, tips are expected and skipping them is rude." In the US, it's standard to tip up to a dollar per drink at bars. In France: "Service charges are included in most bills, but many locals leave a few coins as appreciation (about 10% of the total bill)."
A straightforward table from HuffPost UK clarifies restaurant tipping: 20% of the bill in Canada; 15-25% in the US; and about 10% in Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. Skip tips entirely in Brazil, China, Japan, and the Netherlands. Southeast Asia's tourist spots aren't tip-heavy, but small gestures are appreciated.
For taxis, round up the fare in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, India, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Offer 10% in France, Canada, and Egypt. Avoid it in China, Greece, Japan, and Mexico. With this knowledge, travel respectfully and confidently—no more awkward moments abroad!
