Tipping Guidelines When Visiting Countries
Traveling is a good way to experience new things, but certain practical matters can be a pain in the rear quarters. Tipping is one of those things. Following is a general guide for handling tipping when abroad.
The first issue is figuring out what constitutes a reasonable tip. For the most part, you can use fifteen percent as a default figure. When in doubt, add this to the bill and you usually will end up okay.
The next issue has to do with the tipping burden. Simply put, who is responsible for initiating the tip? In some countries, the tip is automatically added to your bill for services. In others, it is up to you to cough it up.
To the surprise of many, the first place you will do some tipping is not the restaurant. It is often the airport. If you are lugging around luggage, skycaps will gladly take the burden. A tip of a couple dollars is an appropriate payment.
Taxi rides should be considered part of the cultural experience of any big city. For you, it will be a necessity if you want to get from the airport to your hotel. A standard tip for a taxi driver is in the 10 percent range.
If you are staying in a youth hostel or small hotel, don't sweat tipping for the lodging. If you are staying in a nice hotel, however, break out the green stuff. Bellhops pick up and move your luggage. Tip them a couple of bucks in thanks.
In some countries, you can evade the entire tipping subject. Why? The act is frowned upon and can even be considered an outright insulting act. No need to feel akward about it. The tip is usually already built into the bill.
China is one of the major countries that looks down upon the act of tipping. Why do I mention this? Well, the country is going to be at the center of the tourism universe in 2008. Yep, the Olympics. Talk about a lot of tense moments.
There are other often visited countries where tipping is unnecessary. The include Russia, Switzerland and Holland in Europe. Most of the countries in Asia, including Thailand and Cambodia frown upon it as well.
At the end of the day, tipping is about respect. If someone treats you well or takes that extra step, show them respect by paying out a few bucks.
Keep notes on your trips by taking small, compact blank journals in cases from NomadJournals.com.
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